Senior IT Systems Administrator

DEEP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

DEEP is seeking a Senior IT Systems Administrator to lead IT support and systems administration from our Houston facility. You will own day-to-day operations, maintain both commercial and GCC High Microsoft 365 environments, and act as the face of IT in Houston while coordinating with UK and US teams.

You’ll manage device provisioning, onboarding/offboarding, and OT security, with responsibilities spanning end-user support, security controls, and ITAR considerations.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in IT support, service desk, or systems administration.
• Experience supporting executive users (C-suite).
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 suite and identity/endpoint tools.
• Familiar with IT security controls and audit-ready documentation.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, or OT environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide first- and second-line IT support for US employees, on Windows 11 and iOS.
• Manage ITIL-aligned incidents, requests, and problems for the Houston site.
• Administer both commercial and GCC High Microsoft 365 environments.
• Support IT/OT boundary work and OT asset management initiatives.
• Collaborate with global teams and external vendors to resolve issues.
• Protect endpoints, apply patches, and maintain security controls.

Skills

Windows 11

iOS devices

C-suite support

ITIL practices

Auditing & controls

Tools

Microsoft 365

Entra ID

Purview

Teams

SharePoint

Endpoint management

Job description

DEEP is an international design, engineering, & manufacturing company on a mission to make humans aquatic. We're doing this by advancing ocean exploration through the development of new technologies that will enable humans to live and work in underwater environments for longer periods of time.

About the Role

DEEP is looking for an experienced Senior IT Systems Administrator to become the first dedicated member of our Technology team based at our Houston manufacturing facility.

This is a highly visible, hands-on role with significant ownership. You will be the face of DEEP Technology in Houston, providing day-to-day IT support and systems administration while working closely with our UK and Florida-based global Technology teams.

We're looking for a seasoned IT professional who is comfortable operating autonomously, making sound decisions, and delivering excellent service in a fast-paced environment. As the sole technologist on site, you need to be equally comfortable representing IT controls to an auditor, administering Microsoft 365, supporting manufacturing technology, troubleshooting a network issue, or getting under a desk to solve a hardware problem.

You will administer both DEEP’s commercial Microsoft 365 environment and our segregated ITAR-compliant Microsoft 365 GCC High environment, ensuring systems remain secure, correctly configured, documented, evidenced, and audit-ready.

Operational Technology (OT)

Operational Technology (OT) is also an important part of this position. Working closely with Manufacturing and Engineering, you will support the IT/OT boundary and develop into DEEP’s US subject-matter expert for OT, industrial systems, network segmentation, and OT asset management.

As DEEP grows in the US, you will also play a key role in onboarding employees, establishing new offices and operational premises, strengthening cybersecurity, and scaling our technology capabilities.

What You’ll Do

IT Support & Systems Administration

• Provide first- and second-line IT support for US employees across Windows 11 and iOS environments.
• Deliver exceptional support to users at every level of the organization, including C-suite executives.
• Own hands-on IT activities at the Houston site, including device provisioning, desk moves, cabling, printers, meeting-room AV, and networking hardware.
• Support onboarding and offboarding, including account creation, access management, and device provisioning.
• Support DEEP’s engineering application stack, including CAD and associated design/manufacturing software, working with Engineering teams and software vendors.
• Manage incidents, service requests, and problems in line with ITIL best practice.

Microsoft 365, Entra ID & Endpoint Management

Administer DEEP’s commercial Microsoft 365 tenant and segregated Microsoft 365 GCC High / ITAR environment, including:

• Conditional Access
• Endpoint protection
• Microsoft Purview
• Data classification and DLP
• Sensitivity labels
• Microsoft Teams and SharePoint

You will maintain the segregation and integrity of the GCC High environment and ensure security controls remain appropriately configured, documented, evidenced, and audit-ready.

Previous GCC High or Azure Government experience is desirable but not essential, this capability can be developed with support from our UK Technology team.

Operational Technology (OT)

• Work alongside Manufacturing and Engineering to support and secure the IT/OT boundary.
• Support industrial and manufacturing technology environments.
• Help maintain appropriate network segmentation and OT asset management.
• Develop into the Houston site’s OT subject-matter expert as DEEP strengthens its Operational Technology capabilities in the US.
• Act as the first line of defense for cybersecurity at the US site.
• Ensure ITAR and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is handled appropriately.
• Support the implementation, maintenance, documentation, and evidencing of security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC.
• Maintain endpoint protection and patching policies.
• Identify and elevate suspicious activity.
• Work closely with the Head of Cybersecurity and global Technology team on security incidents, audits, compliance reporting, and remediation.
• Maintain clear evidence demonstrating that required IT and security controls are operating effectively.

Collaboration, Vendors & Business Continuity

• Work closely with DEEP’s UK-based Technology team to implement and enforce global IT policies and standards.
• Operate effectively across time zones with limited real-time UK overlap.
• Partner with People, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and senior US stakeholders.
• Deliver solutions in-house wherever practical, using external support where it adds value.
• Manage local technology vendors and service providers, driving issues through to timely resolution.
• Advise on appropriate make-or-buy decisions for local technology requirements.
• Participate in business continuity planning and incident response.
• Support DEEP’s US growth, including new employees and the establishment of new office and operational locations.

What We’re Looking For

• 6+ years’ experience in IT Support, Service Desk, Systems Administration, or a related role, including senior or sole-charge responsibility.
• Experience supporting C-suite / executive users.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Intune, Entra ID (Azure AD), Purview, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Strong knowledge of Windows 11 and experience managing iOS mobile devices.
• Experience with endpoint/device management, MDM, and networking.
• Hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, and supporting workplace technology, including printers, meeting-room AV, cabling, and network hardware.
• Some practical exposure to Operational Technology (OT), industrial, or manufacturing systems.
• Good understanding of cybersecurity principles and security-awareness best practices.
• Proven ability to work independently while remaining aligned with global standards and policies.
• Strong customer-service orientation and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive or controlled information.
• Ability to remain calm, prioritize effectively, and solve problems in a dynamic environment.
• Experience supporting engineering, CAD, design, or manufacturing software.
• Experience working in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-171 and/or CMMC.
• Microsoft 365 GCC High and/or Azure Government experience.
• Previous experience in a start-up or scale-up environment.
• Experience working across multiple business functions such as Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Finance, and People.
• Experience presenting IT controls, documentation, and evidence to internal or external auditors.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified, CompTIA, Security+, or ITIL.

ITAR Eligibility – Important

This position administers a secure environment containing ITAR-controlled technical data.

The successful candidate must therefore be a US person as defined under ITAR (22 CFR 120.62) — a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual.

The Person We’re Looking For

This role will suit someone who combines strong technical capability with a genuinely hands-on mindset.

You’ll be comfortable taking ownership without needing constant supervision, collaborating with colleagues across different time zones, and switching rapidly between strategic and practical priorities.

One hour you might be working with an auditor to demonstrate security controls; the next you could be troubleshooting Microsoft 365, supporting a manufacturing system, configuring a device, resolving a networking issue, or fixing technology in a meeting room.

If you enjoy ownership, autonomy, hands-on problem solving, Microsoft cloud technology, cybersecurity, and the intersection between IT and manufacturing/OT, this is an opportunity to play a central role in building DEEP’s US technology capability.

Travel: Occasional travel to other DEEP US locations. A valid driver's license and access to a car are required.

Why join our team:

• Employer paid Health insurance for employee
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Contributions
• Supportive and inclusive team culture
• Competitive Compensation

DEEP is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.