Network and Systems Manager

Socket.dev; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Network and Systems Manager to lead the Network, Systems, and Security operations. You will drive automation strategies, own IaC initiatives using Ansible, Python, and PowerShell, and guide staffing decisions.

The role requires 7–10 years in IT infrastructure with 2–3 years in leadership, plus strong Linux/Windows and security framework knowledge. In-office or hybrid work is available in Madison, WI or Cedar Rapids, IA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field preferred.
• Associate's degree combined with hands-on experience may be considered.
• Strong leadership and people-management experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead & mentor the operations team with hiring, growth, workload planning, and performance coaching.
• Architect & automate infrastructure using IaC with Ansible, Python, and PowerShell; build CI/CD pipelines.
• Secure & comply by overseeing security operations and aligning with NIST, HIPAA, SOC2.
• Serve as escalation point for complex infrastructure, networking, Linux/Windows systems, and databases (MySQL, MSSQL).
• Collaborate with IT leadership on budgeting, vendor management, and roadmaps.

Skills

Ansible

Python

PowerShell

Linux administration

Windows Server/AD

Networking fundamentals

CI/CD pipelines

Container environments

Monitoring/Observability

Incident response

Change management

Security frameworks

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT or related field

Associate degree with hands-on experience

Tools

CI/CD tools

SIEM

Ubuntu

Windows Server

VLANs

SD-WAN

MySQL

MSSQL

Job description

Location: Madison, WI or Cedar Rapids, IA

Work Arrangement; In Office or Hybrid

Do you love building resilient infrastructure just as much as you love developing people?

We are looking for a Network and Systems Manager to lead, inspire, and scale our Network, Systems, and Security operations team. Reporting to the Director of IT Infrastructure, you won't just sit in meetings - you'll keep your hands on the keyboard, drive our automation strategy, and serve as the technical anchor for complex architectural challenges.

What You'll Do

• Lead & Mentor: Manage a talented operations team with full ownership of hiring, professional development, workload planning, and performance coaching.
• Architect & Automate: Drive our Infrastructure as Code (IaC) initiatives using Ansible, Python, and PowerShell, and building robust CI/CD pipelines.
• Secure & Comply: Oversee security operations (SIEM, alert triage, IAM, secrets management, and certificate automation) while steering our alignment with NIST, HIPAA, and SOC2 standards.
• Escalations: Serve as the primary escalation point for complex infrastructure, networking (firewalls, SD-WAN), Linux/Windows systems, and high-availability database environments (MySQL/MSSQL).
• Collaborate & Strategize: Partner with IT leadership on budgeting, vendor management, business continuity planning, and departmental roadmaps.

What We're Looking For

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field preferred. Associate's degree combined with hands-on experience or equivalent technical proficiency may be considered.
• Experience: 2-3 years of proven leadership and people management experience. 7-10 years in IT infrastructure, systems administration, or DevOps.
• Technical Skills:
  • Deep proficiency in Ansible playbooks, Python, and/or PowerShell for infrastructure configuration and scaling.
  • Solid background in Linux administration (Ubuntu preferred), Windows Server/Active Directory, and networking fundamentals (VLANs, routing, firewalls, SD-WAN).
  • Experience building CI/CD pipelines, managing container environments, and handling enterprise monitoring/observability tools.
  • Practical experience with incident response, change management, and security frameworks (NIST, HIPAA, SOC2).