IT Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Operations Lead Contingent

ARES Enterprise • El Segundo, CA

9d

About The Position

Ares Enterprise is seeking an IT Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Operations Lead to oversee daily IT operations and provide advanced technical leadership across heterogeneous client-server, network, and database environments. The role combines management of daily operational activities with designing, evaluating, and implementing technical solutions for base-level infrastructure and end-user services.

The position works directly with program management, government leadership, project managers, and external vendors to drive operational excellence, achieve a 99.9% system availability target, execute lifecycle technology refreshes, and continuously improve services.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant IT operations and systems engineering experience.
• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance.
• Advanced-level DoD 8140/DCWF qualification for Systems Administrator (451) or Network Operations Specialist (441).
• Must meet all applicable certification, education, experience, and continuous learning requirements within 45 business days of appointment.
• Relevant commercial certifications corresponding to primary computing environments, such as Cisco, VMware, Microsoft Server, or RHEL.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to author technical solutions, briefings, and standard operating procedures.
• Proven leadership capability managing complex IT projects across heterogeneous client-server environments.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.
• Prior experience with CIPS (Cyberspace Infrastructure Planning System), CVC (CIPS Visualization Component), eMASS, eGPS, or DoD IT asset management platforms.
• Hands-on experience developing or transitioning traditional on-premises architectures to cloud environments.
• Extensive experience in systems administration, SAN storage, VMware server virtualization, backup and recovery solutions, and network security architectures.
• Proficiency with ITIL and Project Management Institute (PMI) best practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily communications squadron IT operations and serve as the technical lead and primary operational contact.
• Manage, update, and analyze Tier 3 escalated incidents and service requests in the Enterprise Information Technology Service Management (EITSM) platform (ServiceNow), meeting service level objectives.
• Lead setup, maintenance, monitoring, patching, and fault isolation for servers, backup power systems, storage area networks (SANs), voice/VTC platforms, and non-enterprise network infrastructure.
• Maintain configuration management in compliance with DISA STIGs, AF/DoD cybersecurity policies, Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs), and TCNOs/NOTAMs.
• Conduct daily morning operational checks of controlled systems and networks and deliver status updates by 0900 hours.
• Provide technical expertise for IT requirements analysis, site surveys, coverage surveys, path profiles, and system design and architecture reviews.
• Evaluate COTS software and hardware, conduct trade-off analyses, and deliver technical solutions and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates within required timelines.
• Support cloud migration initiatives in alignment with Department of Defense and Air Force CIO directives.
• Develop, update semi-annually, and maintain a comprehensive 7-year IT Lifecycle Plan covering hardware and software refresh schedules, warranty timelines, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Manage and maintain detailed implementation plans for vendor-led technical installations, upgrades, and modernization projects.
• Support and monitor QA program functions, including equipment evaluations, Technical Order Distribution Officer (TODO) responsibilities, the Corrosion Prevention & Control Program (CPCP), Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) monitoring, PWS/SOW reviews, and Local Work Card (LWC) reviews and coordination.
• Tailor QA functions based on formal risk assessments (AF Form 4437) and maintain QA Operating Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Administer, troubleshoot, and update custom internal automation utilities, database management tools, configuration frameworks, and script-based applications.
• Conduct advanced workstation troubleshooting, specialized hardware evaluations, and emergency incident response.
• Coordinate system sanitization and remediation following a Negligent Discharge of Classified Information (NDCI) or network contamination.
• Support lawful investigation requests and forensic data collection in coordination with security forces, OSI, and network operations command.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed