NDBC IT Manager

Lynker Corporation; Mississippi; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with company matching

ESOP – employee-owned

PTO + holidays

Learning & development support

Spot bonuses

Employee recognition programs

Referral program

Job summary

Lynker Corporation is seeking an experienced IT Manager to join our team supporting NOAA's National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) at Stennis Space Center, MS. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for Windows/Linux servers, networks, databases, and cybersecurity, ensuring 24/7/365 real-time data flows.

The role requires 6+ years IT experience with 3+ years in a managerial capacity on federal contracts, strong leadership, and cloud expertise (AWS/Azure).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• 6+ years of progressive IT experience with at least 3 years in a managerial capacity on Federal Government contracts (NOAA/NASA/DHS preferred).
• Experience managing 24/7/365 operations and IT security requirements in government environments.
• Strong communication, leadership, and ability to prioritize competing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary IT team overseeing server infrastructure, networks, databases, software development, helpdesk, and cybersecurity.
• Serve as main liaison with Government NDBC IT leadership to understand requirements and communicate workload and effort.
• Ensure 24/7/365 data flow and rapid resolution of incidents across all operational groups.
• Manage IT infrastructure in AWS, Azure, and a local data center; coordinate maintenance windows and vendor support.
• Oversee A&A audits, STIG compliance, vulnerability remediation, and POA&M to maintain Authority to Operate (ATO).

Skills

Windows/Linux server management

Network operations

Cybersecurity leadership

Software development oversight

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Comp Eng

Tools

AWS

Azure

Security/compliance tooling

Job description

Overview

Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the creation and delivery of improved operational weather forecasts.As part of our ongoing growth and expansion, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced IT Manager to join our growing team supporting NOAA's National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi near the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Lynker NDBC IT Manager serves as the primary contractor leader responsible for overseeing the IT infrastructure, network operations, software development, and cyber security supporting the NDBC which maintains the world's largest real-time marine observation network dedicated to maritime safety and environmental observations for now and the future. NDBC's network includes moored-ocean buoys, fixed coastal stations, and mobile observing platforms that observe, report, and disseminate atmospheric, oceanographic, meteorological, and tsunami measurements. The observations gathered by NDBC support operational and research programs at the and other organizations, as well as the understanding and predictions of patterns in weather, oceans, and coasts. In addition to the data from a network of approximately 240 stations, NDBC obtains and distributes observations from partner organizations across the world.

The Lynker NDBC IT Manager leads a multidisciplinary team of approximately 20 systems/database/ network administrators, software developers, helpdesk technicians, and cybersecurity specialists to ensure 24/7/365 availability of real-time oceanographic and meteorological data streams. This role acts as the operational bridge between contractor IT task performance and government NDBC leadership.

Responsibilities

Duties of the NDBC IT Manager will include the following:

• Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary IT team overseeing Windows/Linux server infrastructure, networks, database systems, custom software development, helpdesk operations, and cybersecurity.
• Maintain an effective operational interface with Government NDBC IT leadership to understand tasking requirements, priorities, and to communicate level of effort estimates, and workload impacts.
• Coordinate with Lynker management team for cross-departmental projects.
• Establish resource schedules, assign tasks, evaluate team performance, and ensure alignment with contract requirements.
• Lead strategic discussions to drive effective solutions to meet contract requirements.
• Deliver high-quality customer service by ensuring responsive support, proactive stakeholder communication, and rapid resolution of technical issues across all operational groups.
• Serve as the main Point of Contact (POC) for all IT operations, incidents, and strategic planning.
• Ensure the NDBC mission of 24/7/365 data flow is met for NDBC and partner stations.
• Communicate service outages promptly, providing regular updates and post-resolution root cause analysis.
• Manage IT infrastructure in AWS, Azure, and a local data center.
• Coordinate planned hardware/software maintenance windows, vendor support, and hardware lifecycle refreshes.
• Ensure all IT assets strictly adhere to NOAA/NWS, DOC, and NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
• Lead contractor support for annual Assessment & Authorization (A&A) audits, STIG compliance, vulnerability remediation, and POA&M resolution to maintain an Authority to Operate (ATO).

Qualifications

The NDBC IT Manager should have the following:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience:

• 6+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial or lead capacity on Federal Government contracts (NOAA, DoD, NASA, or DHS preferred).
• Proven track record overseeing comprehensive IT operations, encompassing software development, systems infrastructure, and IT help desk operations.
• Experience with supporting 24/7/365 operations.
• Experience with supporting IT security requirements in a government environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Clearance / Site Access

• Must be able to successfully complete a NOAA (Stennis Space Center)/NASA background investigation for site/system access.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. Note: US Citizenship or a valid Green Card is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.

The Ideal NDBC IT Manager will have the following:

Education: Master’s degree in a technical or business/management discipline.

Certifications: PMP, ITIL v4 Foundation, and/or DoD 8570/8140 cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, Security+).

Technical & Modernization Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of software development and cloud native technologies.
• Knowledge of cloud environments, particularly AWS and Azure.
• Hands-on experience with agile methodologies.
• Experience driving IT modernization, including leveraging Artificial Intelligence to streamline software development and optimize IT operations.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.