Head of IT

As we enter our next phase of growth and scale the Chaparral aircraft from flight testing into full rate production, Elroy Air is seeking a Head of IT to build and lead secure, scalable, and high-performance IT systems across the company. This role is responsible for architecting and operating our internal IT infrastructure, including corporate IT, identity and access management (physical and digital), endpoint systems, networking, and compliance frameworks required for export-controlled environments. You will be a foundational leader and doer, working directly with engineering, security, legal, and leadership to ensure our systems are robust, compliant, and enable rapid successful execution without compromise. This is not only a maintenance role. You will shape and build the systems that allow the company to mature and operate efficiently as we scale. Key Responsibilities Own end-to-end IT corporate infrastructure: corporate IT, networking, endpoints, and SaaS Design and implement secure and compliant environments, including access controls, data segregation, and auditability Build and enforce identity and access management (IAM) systems with least-privilege principles Establish secure device management (MDM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and fleet lifecycle processes Architect and maintain secure network infrastructure across office, lab, and production environments Lead vendor selection and management across IT, security, and infrastructure tooling Develop and enforce IT policies and procedures aligned with export control and security requirements Partner with engineering to support high-performance cloud computing, lab systems, and specialized environments Evaluate and improve monitoring, logging, and incident response capabilities for IT systems Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery planning Act as a key stakeholder in security audits, compliance readiness, and regulatory inspections Own and streamline IT elements of employee onboarding / offboarding Support the security and maintainability of the corporate website You Will Be Successful in This Role If You Take high ownership and accountability Have a security-first approach without slowing down execution Can operate in ambiguity and make high-quality decisions quickly Use strong judgment balancing speed, cost, and risk Are a clear communicator with both technical and non-technical teams Have a builder mentality: you aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and create new systems or integrations when legacy ones aren’t working Basic Qualifications 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, IT operations, or IT systems engineering Deep experience with enterprise IT systems, networking, and cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP/Azure) Experience implementing and automating identity systems (Okta, Azure AD, or similar) Strong understanding of network architecture, VPNs, firewalls, routes, and segmentation Proven track record of integrating enterprise IT systems in a fast-paced environment Must be eligible to work in the United States Ability to receive and maintain access to export-controlled information (ITAR/EAR) This role is hybrid and requires close collaboration with engineering and lab environments Preferred Skills and Experience Experience operating in ITAR, EAR, or other export-controlled environments Familiarity with NIST 800-171, CMMC, or similar compliance frameworks Background in aerospace, defense, energy, or deep tech startups Experience supporting hardware labs, manufacturing environments, or secure facilities Prior experience scaling IT from early-stage to growth-stage company What We Offer Competitive salary Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced aerospace company Comprehensive medical benefits 401(k) with company contribution + Roth IRA Free daily lunch provided onsite Flexible time-off policy 3 months of paid parental leave Employee assistance program with 24/7 support High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement You’ll work with a motivated, kind, and highly skilled team You'll help shape and define our company culture and values You'll help build and scale a new category of aerospace / logistics technology