System Administrator / IT Lead

Atropos•San Diego, CA

About The Position

We're looking for a System Administrator / IT Lead to be the first internal IT hire. You'll shape not just how the environment runs today, but how it's designed and governed going forward. The immediate work is operational: standing up and managing our Microsoft 365 environments (commercial and government) alongside our MSP, working with the MSP and internal security and compliance teammates to maintain the technical requirements of our CMMC L2 posture. The longer arc is bigger: defining how IT operates as a function as we grow. We plan to hire additional IT staff and want someone who can help think through what that team looks like, but this is not a management requirement. If you want to stay hands-on later, you can.

Requirements

7+ years of systems administration experience with meaningful depth in Microsoft cloud environments (Intune, Entra ID, Purview, Exchange Online).
Hands-on experience with NIST 800-171 control implementation in a technical capacity.
Demonstrated experience with configuration management practices and tooling across Windows and Linux environments.
Experience managing or coordinating with an MSP, including holding vendors accountable and supplementing coverage where needed.
Able to lead environment design conversations, not just execute on them.
Strong documentation habits and communication skills suited to a cross-functional environment where IT is one piece of a broader compliance and security program.
Experience taking charge of efforts and setting a direction.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in GCC-H.
Experience with multi-cloud environments (e.g., AWS and Microsoft)
Interest in eventually building and leading an IT team as the company grows.
Experience with segregated environments (OT, manufacturing, hardware test) is a big plus.
Experience designing or evolving IT programs at a startup or high-growth company.
Scripting or automation experience (PowerShell, Bash, Python) to support configuration management and operational efficiency.
Current clearance (Secret or above) is nice but not required

Responsibilities

Serve as the internal technical owner for our Microsoft 365 commercial and GCC-High environments, administering identity, device management, and productivity tooling.
Act as the primary internal counterpart to our MSP, coordinating on network operations, changes, and issue resolution while maintaining internal accountability for outcomes.
Work with security and GRC to maintain configuration management practices aligned to NIST 800-171 technical controls, with an eye toward repeatability, auditability, and scale.
Contribute to IT architecture decisions, including environment design, tooling selection, and segmentation strategy as the company scales.
Build out IT operational documentation, runbooks, and procedures that can support future hires and reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
Partner cross-functionally with compliance, security, and engineering to ensure technical decisions align with regulatory requirements and business needs.

Benefits

Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
In-Office Daily Lunch catered
Company-funded child care stipend
Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution