IT Director
Astrolab
IT
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 164k-237k / year
Posted on Sep 26, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
Astrolab is seeking a Director of IT to lead our technology operations and oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure. This role is responsible for designing, securing, and maintaining both on-premises and cloud systems, with an emphasis on modern cloud resource management, automation, and infrastructure-as-code practices. The Director will ensure the integrity, availability, and security of company data and systems, drive compliance with NIST 800-171 and 800-53 standards, and create an efficient and reliable user experience across the organization.
Astrolab is seeking a Director of IT to lead our technology operations and oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure. This role is responsible for designing, securing, and maintaining both on-premises and cloud systems, with an emphasis on modern cloud resource management, automation, and infrastructure-as-code practices. The Director will ensure the integrity, availability, and security of company data and systems, drive compliance with NIST 800-171 and 800-53 standards, and create an efficient and reliable user experience across the organization.
- Department
- IT
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $164,000 - $237,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Denise Brown
What You'll Do:
- Manage and develop a responsive, effective, and user-focused IT team
- Oversee Astrolab’s migration to and operations within Azure Gov Cloud
- Implement and maintain NIST-compliant security infrastructure and support compliance audits
- Develop and enforce company-wide IT policies, processes, and documentation
- Manage on-premises and cloud-based resources, including networking, conferencing equipment, servers, and related infrastructure
- Deploy and maintain configuration management, automated testing, and automated deployment pipelines for physical and cloud systems
- Track IT projects, report progress to leadership, and align work with company milestones
- Plan and manage IT budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively
- Support and maintain engineering software tools across multiple use cases
- Manage vendor relationships and conduct periodic audits of contracts and performance
- Oversee full hardware lifecycle: procurement, upgrades, warranties, service agreements, and decommissioning
- Ensure timely, effective IT support that minimizes downtime and maximizes employee productivity
What You'll Bring:
- 10+ years of IT experience (or 8+ years with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field)
- 3+ years of management experience leading IT teams and functions
- Proven ability to oversee IT operations across hybrid infrastructures, SaaS, wireless, hardware, and security
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft enterprise IT services (Entra ID, Intune, Sentinel, etc.)
- Experience administering Linux systems
- Demonstrated success implementing automation and modern infrastructure practices
Additional Responsibilities
- Flexibility to support critical mission milestones, including some evenings or weekends
- Drive automation of routine activities such as system updates and user onboarding to minimize overhead and risk
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
What We Offer:
- Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Ownership in the company
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with matching
- Flexible time off and parental leave
- On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
- Flexible work environment
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Stage 3:
Video Interviews
Stage 4:
On-site Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
