IT Systems & Security Specialist (Remote: DC or Philly Metro)

About Element 84 Element 84 is a woman-owned small business that works with public, private, and non-profit sector clients to develop geospatial data processing pipelines & build software that helps answer big questions about our health, our infrastructure, and our changing planet. We solve challenging problems across a wide range of industries, but our super power is cloud-based geospatial data processing, remote sensing, and Earth science systems. Our headquarters is located in Alexandria, VA and we have a satellite office in Philadelphia, PA. Element 84 also supports a large remote workforce from a variety of other states. A Few Other Things You Should Know Element 84's values are: We Invest in Each Other, We are Reliable, and Our Work Benefits our World. Element 84 works on meaningful projects that are challenging—from a technical, people, and team perspective. We make an impact on large projects through our leadership and expertise, both formal and informal. Element 84 values life outside of work. We offer parental leave for everyone and support each other through family challenges like medical problems, adoptions, and new babies. Element 84 has had a flexible work schedule since our founding in 2010. Element 84 is committed to fostering a culture of curiosity and respect for all individuals as we constantly strive to create a work environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. About You You are curious about the world, are constantly learning, driven to lead (formally or informally), and have a strong work ethic. You're interested in solving impactful problems in science, medicine, and other projects that have a societal good. You can work independently or with a team, prioritize your projects, and be effective without micromanagement. You'll care about writing. Our team is remote and written communication is essential. In addition to caring about a well-crafted email and a succinct conference abstract, you understand that good writing is good design and engineering. About the Role The IT Systems & Security Specialist handles day-to-day IT operations, endpoint management, employee support, and core security hygiene across Element 84’s commercial and federal projects. Working alongside leadership and our external cybersecurity consulting group, this hands-on role maintains internal support standards while ensuring endpoints and systems comply with key frameworks (NIST 800-171, CMMC). Essential Duties & Responsibilities User Support & Operations: Provide responsive Tier 1–2 helpdesk support for hardware, SaaS applications, remote network connectivity (VPN, DNS, Wi-Fi), and ticketing. Endpoint Lifecycle Management: Provision, patch, and maintain macOS and Windows endpoints using MDM, maintaining full-disk encryption and hardware tracking. Access & Identity Management (IAM): Administer user accounts and access across JumpCloud, Google Workspace, AWS, Azure, and SaaS tools under least-privilege principles. Onboarding & Offboarding: Execute technical onboarding/offboarding tasks, hardware delivery, account setup, asset retrieval, and prompt access revocation. Security Operations & Vendor Liaison: Monitor EDR agents, review endpoint alerts, and serve as the internal point of contact coordinating with our external managed security consulting team on triage and incident response. Systems Administration & IT Logistics: Track SSL/TLS certificate lifecycles, configure email security records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and maintain accurate software license and asset inventories to control operational spend. Automation & Knowledge Base: Write scripts (Bash, Python, PowerShell) to automate administrative tasks and maintain internal runbooks, SOPs, and user self-help guides. Compliance Evidence Gathering: Collect and organize operational audit logs and evidence required for NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance workflows. Qualifications Required: Experience: 3–5 years of progressive experience in IT support, systems administration, or combined IT/security operations. Demonstrated experience supporting compliance evidence collection (e.g., NIST 800-171, CMMC, or SOC 2) Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent practical experience. Technical Skills: macOS endpoint management via MDM; administration of cloud IdPs (JumpCloud, Okta, or Entra ID) and Google Workspace; scripting proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell. Soft Skills: Clear, patient communication across technical levels and demonstrated discretion handling sensitive company data. Clearance Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen due to Secret Clearance eligibility and exposure to ITAR/EAR technical data. Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Secret Security Clearance. Preferred: Certifications (Preferred): CompTIA Security+, Network+, ISC2 SSCP, or AWS Cloud Practitioner. Additional Information Paying attention to who we are as a company–people, family members, friends, and colleagues–is our primary focus at Element 84. There are lots of ways to run a company, and, for us, we prioritize wanting to come to work, being around people we enjoy, taking on big things with people you trust, and sharing our achievements as a team. You’ll get credit when things go right and we’ll have your back when things go wrong. We only take on work that is challenging and right for us. There are projects we will turn down and the team has a say. We may be a small company, but we have big company benefits meant to support the idea that we're here for the long term and happiness comes from much more than where you work. We have an extraordinary retention rate because we hire extraordinary people. We hope that’s you. Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $80,000 – $113,000 / year (Full-time, Salaried) Bonus Potential: Eligible for performance- and company profit-based bonuses. Total Rewards: Base pay is just one part of the Element 84 compensation package. Final offers are tailored based on your technical skillset, relevant experience, domain knowledge, certifications, and location. Comprehensive Benefits: Full coverage details, retirement matching, and perks are listed below. Working Conditions & Physical Demands Standard office/hybrid work environment with periodic local travel between Philadelphia, PA and Alexandria, VA offices as needed. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs to unpack and setup workstation hardware. Location & Remote Work This is a full time, salaried position. Please submit your application if you are interested. Remote candidates are encouraged, but your home office must be less than 100 miles from either Element 84’s Alexandria, VA or Philadelphia, PA hub. This role will require 1-2 days/month on-site. Benefits Offered Competitive medical, dental and vision benefits Life Insurance, Short & Long Term disability insurance Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Insurance 401(k) and Roth 401(k) retirement plans with a fixed 3% of salary employer contributions (paid regardless of employee participation) Health savings account with a company contribution Flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and transportation) Company-paid parental leave after one year of employment Flexible work schedules Paid employee assistance program 6 paid floating holidays 4 weeks + 1 day paid Vacation Time Off per calendar year (prorated first year) 40 hours paid Sick Leave Cell phone stipend Element 84 is an equal opportunity employer.