IT Specialist

The Judge Group, INC.; Portland (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group, INC. is seeking an IT Specialist to maintain and improve IT/OT systems in a manufacturing setting. This hands-on role focuses on production networks, hardware, end-user support, and secure, reliable operations across plant and office environments.

You will work closely with engineering and maintenance teams on system upgrades, plant expansions, and new technology deployments, ensuring uptime and data integrity for ERP, inventory, and quality systems.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on IT support experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of Windows server and desktop environments.
• Networking (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, switches).
• Hardware installation and troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting production‑critical systems and working in an on‑site plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and support all IT hardware and software, including servers, PCs, laptops, printers, mobile devices, and network equipment.
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and repair on-site systems with minimal downtime.
• Manage Active Directory, user accounts, permissions, backups, and system security.
• Monitor system performance and perform proactive maintenance.
• Support IT systems connected to production equipment, PLCs, HMIs, and MES.
• Troubleshoot network and system issues affecting machine connectivity and production data.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams during equipment installs, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure reliable data flow between machines, production systems, and business systems (ERP, inventory, quality).
• Maintain plant-wide LAN/WAN, Wi‑Fi, and shop-floor network connectivity.
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity best practices, especially in a manufacturing/OT environment.
• Perform regular backups, patching, and disaster recovery testing.
• Assist with audits, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Provide hands-on, on-site technical support to office and production staff.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity issues.
• Train employees on IT systems, tools, and security awareness.
• Document issues, resolutions, and procedures.
• Coordinate with IT vendors, service providers, and equipment manufacturers.
• Assist with IT projects including system upgrades, plant expansions, and new technology deployments.
• Maintain accurate IT documentation, asset inventories, and network diagrams.

Skills

Windows server

Windows desktop

Networking

Hardware troubleshooting

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience

Tools

Certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, Microsoft)

Job description

Job Summary

The IT Specialist is responsible for maintaining, supporting, and improving all information technology systems within a manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on, shop-floor-focused role requiring direct involvement with production systems, networks, hardware, and end users. The role ensures uptime, security, and reliability of IT and operational technology (OT) systems critical to manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure & Systems Support

• Maintain and support all IT hardware and software, including servers, PCs, laptops, printers, mobile devices, and network equipment
• Install, configure, troubleshoot, and repair on-site systems with minimal downtime
• Manage Active Directory, user accounts, permissions, backups, and system security
• Monitor system performance and perform proactive maintenance

Manufacturing & Operational Technology (OT)

• Support IT systems connected to production equipment, PLCs, HMIs, and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
• Troubleshoot network and system issues affecting machine connectivity and production data
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams during equipment installs, upgrades, and troubleshooting
• Ensure reliable data flow between machines, production systems, and business systems (ERP, inventory, quality)

Network & Security

• Maintain plant-wide LAN/WAN, Wi-Fi, and shop-floor network connectivity
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity best practices, especially in a manufacturing/OT environment
• Perform regular backups, patching, and disaster recovery testing
• Assist with audits, compliance, and risk mitigation

End-User Support

• Provide hands-on, on-site technical support to office and production staff
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity issues
• Train employees on IT systems, tools, and security awareness
• Document issues, resolutions, and procedures

Vendors & Projects

• Coordinate with IT vendors, service providers, and equipment manufacturers
• Assist with IT projects including system upgrades, plant expansions, and new technology deployments
• Maintain accurate IT documentation, asset inventories, and network diagrams

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of hands-on IT support experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong knowledge of:
• Windows server and desktop environments
• Networking (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, switches)
• Hardware installation and troubleshooting
• Experience supporting production‑critical systems and working in an on‑site plant environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with manufacturing systems (MES, ERP integrations)
• Familiarity with PLCs, industrial networks, and OT security
• Experience with virtualization, backups, and disaster recovery
• Certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+, Microsoft, or similar