IT Administrator

Why join the IPS Team? IPS Custom Automation is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions for the defense and energetics industries. We specialize in the design, engineering, and integration of turnkey production lines for energetics materials and munitions. Our solutions serve government agencies, military contractors, and defense OEMs worldwide.

Who Our New Team Member Will Be:

We are seeking an IT Administrator (Tier 1) with 3–7 years of hands-on experience who can provide first-line support and day-to-day administration of IPS's workstations, user accounts, network closets and office technology across both IPS sites, working alongside our managed service provider (MSP) and supporting IPS's CMMC Level 2 / NIST SP 800-171 compliance program. The IT Administrator is the first point of contact for IPS employees, owns ticket resolution and escalation, and tracks that the MSP delivers its documentation and monitoring obligations.

What Our IT Administrator – Tier 1 will do:

Essential Job Functions/Duties

• Provides Tier 1 help desk support: receives, triages, resolves and escalates user tickets for workstations, laptops, printers/MFPs, mobile devices, Microsoft 365 (GCC High) and line-of-business applications within defined response times
• Administers user accounts, groups and permissions in Active Directory / Entra ID per IPS access-control procedures; performs employee onboarding and offboarding, including account, MFA and device provisioning and removal
• Images, deploys, patches and maintains Windows workstations and laptops; keeps the hardware/software asset inventory and configuration baseline current
• Monitors endpoint protection, patch compliance and backup status; responds to alerts and coordinates escalations with the MSP
• Maintains network closets, printers/MFPs, UPS and power equipment at both IPS sites; performs physical installs, moves, adds and changes, and basic cabling and labeling
• Tracks the MSP's documentation of procedures, records and configuration changes, and verifies it is current and complete
• Enforces acceptable-use, CUI handling and media-sanitization procedures at the desk level; delivers security awareness reminders and reports security incidents to the Director of IT Cyber Security
• Supports the facility consolidation/relocation project: equipment inventory and labeling, packing and unpacking, reconnection and testing of user equipment
• Supports audits and assessments by producing requested system information and evidence under the direction of the Director of IT Cyber Security
• Performs other job duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by management
• Travels between IPS sites as required
• Has the ability to obtain and maintain a USG security clearance

Minimum Qualifications

IT Administrator – Tier 1:

• Associate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related discipline with at least 3 years of hands-on IT support and systems administration experience OR
• High school diploma or equivalent with at least 7 years of progressive IT support and systems administration experience
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel) and basic Microsoft 365 administration
• Hands-on administration of Windows 10/11 workstations and Windows Server fundamentals; Active Directory and Entra ID user and group management
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP networking, DHCP/DNS, VLANs, Wi-Fi and firewall concepts sufficient to troubleshoot connectivity and work effectively with an MSP
• Experience with endpoint protection, patch management and backup tools; ticketing systems and structured incident handling and escalation
• Ability to maintain accurate asset inventories, documentation and evidence; familiarity with NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC concepts
• Ability to rack, cable, label and physically maintain network, printer and power equipment
• Cultural Fit:
• Technical ownership, sound judgment, and a customer-service mindset toward IPS employees
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in written format
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and with outside vendors
• High attention to detail
• Ability to solve problems and identify solutions
• Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: A desire to continually learn and explore new approaches and technologies
• Desire for Continuous Improvement: Actively seek opportunities for process improvement, driving change in the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+, or Microsoft MD-102 / AZ-104 certification
• Experience in a defense contractor or other regulated environment handling CUI / ITAR material; familiarity with Microsoft 365 GCC High
• Experience working with a managed service provider, including ticket escalation, vendor follow-up and verification of vendor deliverables

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Environment is neutral with low to moderate noise exposure, is semi-seated position requiring the extended use of a computer and computer equipment
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach, lift with arms and hands (50 lbs or less when handling network, printer and UPS equipment), climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Our team gains more than just compensation with IPS:

• 401K with company match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Please contact:

Human Resources at hr@ipstx.com

Interview Plan: Initial Teams meeting with HR or Hiring Manager (shared screen with no AI assistance required) followed by small in person panel interview. Other interviews may be required as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity IPS and all SONIN, LLC affiliates are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. We are proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We believe that diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to innovation and help us solve real-world problems. Reasonable Accommodation IPS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the employment application process. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact the Human Resources Team at hr@ipstx.com.

At IPS, we specialize in designing and delivering custom automation systems tailored to meet your exact manufacturing needs. With a reputation built on precision, innovation, and reliability, our automation solutions drive efficiency, consistency, and safety in complex industrial environments.

Founded in 1989, IPS Custom Automation has built a strong reputation for quality, precision, and customer service. From the beginning, we have remained committed to being more than just a supplier - we work as an integral part of our customers’ team, delivering innovative automation solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. Many of the customers we served in our early years are still with us today, a testament to our reliability and commitment to long-term partnerships.

IPS operates a 26,000-square-foot facility in Arlington, Texas, and an additional 35,000-square-foot facility in neighboring Grand Prairie, Texas, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. Our fully air-conditioned office, manufacturing, and assembly space provides the ideal environment for designing, testing, and producing high-performance automation systems.