Back to jobs
New

Lead, IT Specialist

Chicago, IL

Lead, IT Specialist

Do you want to be a part of something innovative, relevant, and intellectually stimulating that has a meaningful impact? Come join our rapidly growing MxD team as we strive to increase U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.

+ About MxD

MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) advances economic prosperity and national security by strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through technology innovation, workforce development, and cybersecurity preparedness. In partnership with the Department of Defense, we convene an ecosystem to solve critical manufacturing challenges by accelerating digital adoption, empowering a skilled workforce, and modernizing supply chains. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, as designated by DoD. Visit mxdusa.org to learn more. 

MxD is passionate about its people and committed to creating an environment where everyone is heard and respected.  Flexible work arrangements and unlimited paid time-off programs are just a few of the exceptional benefits MxD provides its employees.  MxD embodies a strong, fast-paced, and dynamic working environment while also fostering curiosity and innovation. 

+ Position Overview

The Lead IT Specialist will support and maintain MxD’s IT infrastructure and services.  The ideal candidate will leverage broad know-how of IT technologies to support MxD’s existing assets and a unique manufacturing Future Factory Floor environment, including internal and external-facing IT initiatives. A successful candidate will possess a solid understanding of the risks and integration issues that may arise during the development, deployment, and integration of business and manufacturing assets, software, and data systems. This role will report to the Director of Cybersecurity.

+ Position Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with internal IT and Cybersecurity team members to operate, maintain, and secure the IT infrastructure.
  • Take primary responsibility for the operation and maintenance of corporate networks and supporting technology (routers, switches, Firewalls, Wi-Fi, 5G, virtualization technology etc.).
  • Install, manage, secure, and configure backup systems to support business continuity.
  • Support a range of corporate and end-user IT requirements dealing with common IT hardware (PCs, laptops, etc.) and software (MS Windows, Office, etc.)
  • Create and maintain user endpoint system images and buildout processes and procedures
  • Other duties as assigned

+ Position Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a similar field
  • 6 years of verifiable work experience.
  • Experience administering:
    • Windows OS, Active Directory, and Office 365.
    • Firewalls, routers, and switches.
    • Nutanix, VMWare, and StorMagic
    • Creating and managing networks, creating VLANs, subnets, etc.
  • Solid interpersonal skills
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong documentation skills
  • Ability to effectively interface with peers in government and partner organizations.
  • A hands-on, team player who thrives in a dynamic environment.
  • Must be available to work onsite at least 4 to 5 days a week.

+ Preferences Not Requirements

  • IT certifications (CompTIA, Cisco CCNA, CCNP, Microsoft MCSE or similar)
  • Experience working with iOS or Android devices.
  • Knowledge of NIST standard SP 800-171 and CMMC
  • General knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices
  • Secure cloud resource deployment and maintenance experience

How to Apply

Apply online at mxdusa.org/careers by clicking on the link to the position posting.

Work with Us

  • MxD is a results-oriented, lean, collaborative tech organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are hard-working, mission-driven, flexible, and work with a sense of urgency. We hire tech-savvy, committed, self-starters who can think outside the box, and have a strong capacity to learn and adapt to the needs of the organization and role, through both skill and grit. All-star employees excel without the help of administrative support, and don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty (figuratively!). Additionally, people who love to solve problems, no matter how big or small, find they are a good fit for MxD.
  • Our state-of-the-art facility, located on Goose Island in Chicago (just north of downtown), features a manufacturing floor, several infrastructure testbeds, and a bustling open-office environment. MxD is a collaborative space, hosting many events for our partners and other prestigious organizations, so being able to engage with staff and visitors in a professional, helpful manner is a must.
  • MxD is a 10-minute walk from the North and Clybourn Red Line stop, a 20-minute walk from the Division Blue Line stop, and accessible by a variety of other public transit options; additionally, we have free parking available for employees.

Flexible Work Policy

  • MxD recognizes the importance of providing flexibility for employees to balance work responsibilities with personal obligations and commitments. Specific feasibility of Flexible Work Arrangements is determined by specific roles and supervisors.

Equal Opportunity Employer

  • All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, economic circumstance, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor H1B visas currently.

Accommodations Statement 

  • We recognize that individuals may require different types of accommodations to perform their jobs effectively. We encourage candidates who need accessibility assistance or have specific needs to apply and reach out to us. 

Accommodations Include: 

  • Application Process: If you need assistance with the application process due to a disability or other accessibility needs, please contact our People & Culture department at PC@mxdusa.org. To the extent possible, we are happy to provide alternative formats for our application materials or support you through the process. 
  • Interview Process: If you require any accommodations for the interview process, such as assistive technology, modified interview formats, or additional time, please let us know in advance. We are committed to ensuring a fair and accessible interview experience. 
  • Workplace Accommodations: Once employed, employees can request reasonable accommodations to perform their job duties. This may include adjustments to workstations, flexible scheduling, or other modifications. Please contact the People & Culture department to discuss your needs. We strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

MxD Pay

$97,500 - $114,000 USD

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at MXD? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Select...
Select...

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in MXD’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.