Lead IT Engineer

Own the reliability, security, and continuity of BigHappy's office IT and network infrastructure in India — and lead the ground-up planning and stand-up of IT infrastructure for the new office as part of the upcoming relocation, in a way that scales with the team's growth. NOTE: Candidates must be open to work within USA time zones EST/EDT and PST/PDT hours. Key Responsibilities Office IT & network operations (steady state) Own day-to-day IT infrastructure for the Panchkula (and Pune, remotely) offices: end-user devices, local network (LAN/Wi-Fi, routers, switches, firewalls, VPN), printers/peripherals, and IT asset inventory. Monitor network and endpoint health; troubleshoot connectivity, hardware, and access issues; respond to and resolve incidents in a timely manner. Manage physical access and office security systems — biometric/access control, CCTV — in coordination with facilities/admin. Maintain local backup processes for on-premise systems and devices (note: Amazon AWS backup and disaster recovery is owned by Engineering and out of scope for this role). Own onboarding/offboarding IT logistics for new hires (device provisioning, account setup, access grants) — increasingly important given planned headcount growth. Manage relationships with local IT vendors (ISP, hardware suppliers, security systems, AMC providers) — negotiate, procure, and hold vendors accountable to SLAs. Maintain documentation for network architecture, configurations, and IT procedures. Creative production hardware & storage Provision and maintain high-performance workstations for the in-house creative/animation team (GPU-capable machines suited to 2D/3D creative software), in addition to standard office devices. Manage local shared storage (e.g., NAS) for creative project files and assets, including capacity planning as creative output and headcount grow. Coordinate with the creative team on hardware/storage needs specific to their workflow; own the infrastructure and procurement side, not the creative pipeline itself. New office setup (greenfield — near-term priority, scope subject to how much work the new space actually needs) Lead technical planning for the new office IT infrastructure from the ground up: network design, structured cabling requirements, ISP/carrier selection and lead-time coordination, Wi-Fi coverage, access control and CCTV installation. Build and own a move plan/timeline in coordination with facilities and leadership: vendor scheduling, data/asset relocation, and a lightweight continuity plan to minimize downtime during the transition. Right-size infrastructure decisions (network capacity, device stock, access points, creative storage) against BigHappy's expected headcount growth, not just current headcount — this is a build for the next 12–18 months, not just a like-for-like move. Coordinate with Engineering on any local network requirements relevant to their workflows (e.g., dev machine connectivity, VPN access needs) — without taking ownership of cloud/AWS infrastructure itself. Security & compliance (locally scoped) Implement and maintain office-level security controls: firewall rules, access policies, endpoint security, Wi-Fi segmentation. Support any client/partner security questionnaires or audits relevant to the India office's physical/network environment, in partnership with other stakeholders Growth readiness Recommend and plan capacity upgrades (network, devices, office IT footprint, creative storage) proactively as India headcount increases. Build repeatable, documented processes now so IT support scales without becoming a bottleneck as the team grows — this person will be the sole IT contributor in India for the foreseeable future. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Must-Have Skills 7+ years in IT infrastructure/network administration/operations roles, with genuine hands-on ownership (not just ticket support). Strong working knowledge of routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, LAN/Wi-Fi design and troubleshooting. Experience with endpoint management and productivity suites (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, device/MDM tools). Direct experience setting up IT infrastructure for a new office/site, or leading an office relocation from an IT standpoint — this is a differentiator for this role, not a nice-to-have. Experience managing physical office security systems (CCTV, biometric/access control). Vendor management experience (ISPs, hardware, AMC/security vendors) — comfortable negotiating and holding vendors to timelines. Strong ownership mindset — comfortable being the sole IT person for the India offices without a team behind them. Comfortable provisioning and maintaining workstation-class hardware and local shared storage (NAS) for media/creative workloads, even without a design/animation background. Nice-to-Have Skills Exposure to a scaling startup or a company that has grown headcount materially in a short window. Familiarity with adtech/martech or software company environments (understanding of creative and engineering team needs, even without owning cloud infra). Prior experience supporting a creative, media, or design team's hardware needs (GPU workstations, render/asset storage). Familiarity with structured incident/change management practices. Relevant certifications — helpful but not gating. Benefits Flexible Time-Off : At BIG Happy, we believe that great work comes from a well balanced life. Our flexible time-off policy empower employees to manage their schedules effectively, recharge when needed, and maintain a healthy work-life balance without compromising productivity. Comprehensive Health & Family Support: We prioritize the well-being of our team and their families. Our plans provide health support policies, including maternity benefits, ensure that employees feel supported during important life stages. Performance-Driven Rewards & Growth: We recognize and reward impact. Through performance bonuses and incentive programs, employees are acknowledged for their contributions and achievements, fostering a motivating environment that supports both personal and professional growth. Relocation & Seamless Transition Support: Joining us from a different location? We’ve got you covered. Our relocation support and reimbursement policies are designed to make your transition smooth and stress-free, allowing you to focus on settling into your role and new environment. Inclusive Culture & Collaborative Environment: Our workplace thrives on collaboration, inclusivity, and engagement. From cross-functional 1:1s to team building activities like movie outings, events, and office get-togethers, we ensure every team member feels connected, valued, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.