Job Description:

IT Manager
Location: Houston, TX (Onsite) | Reports To: VP, Software & Cybersecurity | Contract-to-Hire

The Opportunity

Our client is building an innovative critical-minerals company focused on developing and commercializing advanced extraction, refining, and materials technologies. As the organization expands its Houston operations, they are seeking a hands-on IT Manager to establish, manage, and scale the technology environment supporting scientists, engineers, corporate teams, and growing operations.

This is an opportunity to build rather than simply maintain. The IT Manager will be responsible for developing a secure, reliable, and scalable IT foundation while remaining hands-on with the day-to-day technology needs of a growing organization.

What You Will Do

IT Infrastructure & Operations

• Own the day-to-day IT environment across the company's Houston operations.
• Build and maintain reliable network, Wi-Fi, endpoint, server, cloud, storage, and collaboration environments.
• Manage employee laptops, mobile devices, software, access, and technology onboarding/offboarding.
• Establish standards for hardware, software, licensing, asset management, and technology lifecycle management.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues while developing scalable support processes as the company grows.

Cloud & Business Systems

• Administer and optimize Microsoft 365 and related collaboration and productivity platforms.
• Manage identity, access, authentication, permissions, and user provisioning.
• Evaluate and implement business applications based on organizational needs.
• Manage cloud infrastructure and relationships with external technology providers.

Cybersecurity

• Develop and maintain appropriate cybersecurity policies, standards, and controls.
• Implement identity and access management, MFA, endpoint protection, backup, disaster recovery, and security monitoring.
• Manage vulnerability, patching, and security awareness programs.
• Work with leadership and outside partners to continually assess and improve the company's security posture.

Scientific & Engineering Technology

• Partner with scientists and engineers to understand technology requirements for laboratory, engineering, modeling, simulation, and project-development activities.
• Support secure storage, backup, sharing, and protection of technical and intellectual-property data.
• Coordinate technology requirements associated with new laboratory, pilot, and future operational environments.
• Help establish appropriate separation and security between corporate IT and future operational/industrial technology environments.

Vendor & Project Management

• Select and manage MSPs, technology vendors, software providers, and other outside partners.
• Negotiate and manage technology contracts, licensing, renewals, and service agreements.
• Lead IT projects including new systems, office/lab expansions, infrastructure deployments, migrations, and security initiatives.
• Develop and manage the IT budget and technology roadmap.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including responsibility for infrastructure, systems administration, cybersecurity, and end-user technology.
• Experience managing IT within a growing organization, preferably where the individual has helped build or significantly scale the technology environment.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Microsoft 365, Entra ID/Azure AD, endpoint management, networking, identity and access management, and cybersecurity.
• Experience managing MSPs, vendors, technology projects, and budgets.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining willing and able to solve day-to-day technical issues.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, engineers, scientists, and nontechnical employees.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent practical experience considered.

Preferred Experience

• Start-up, scale-up, or high-growth environments
• Chemical, energy, advanced materials, manufacturing, or industrial organizations
• Laboratory and R&D technology environments
• Supporting engineering applications and technical data
• Cybersecurity frameworks and compliance
• Industrial/operational technology environments
• Building IT infrastructure for new offices, laboratories, pilot facilities, or manufacturing operations

What Success Looks Like

During the first year, the IT Manager will establish a secure and scalable technology foundation, improve reliability and cybersecurity, formalize IT processes and vendor relationships, and develop a technology roadmap capable of supporting the company's progression from R&D and pilot activities toward larger-scale operations.

Pay rate: $75-80/hr. This is a contract-to-hire position (3 months to permanent), onsite in Houston, TX. Candidates must be US Citizens or Green Card holders.

About Us

Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered hiring experience.

For more than 28 years, PTP has operated as one of the top IT staffing and recruiting firms in the USA—built on trust, long-term partnerships, and technical excellence.

Based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, IL, our team of more than 500 employees and consultants is dedicated to:

• Helping every client make the best hiring decisions possible
• Matching professionals with the right IT jobs and career opportunities

As part of that commitment, we believe in providing clear information about how our hiring technologies work and how your data is used. The following section outlines our AI-assisted interview process and your rights as a candidate.

AI-Assisted Interview Experience (Pete & Gabi – Rebecca):

To provide a consistent, fair, and flexible experience for all candidates, we use AI-assisted tools to support parts of the interview process. This includes our proprietary AI platform Pete & Gabi, which includes AI recruiter Rebecca.

These AI hiring tools help us:

• Conduct recorded video interviews
• Transcribe interviews
• Summarize candidate responses
• Generate job-related insights
• Streamline communication and scheduling

Please note that:

• The AI does NOT make hiring decisions; all decisions are made by our human recruiters, hiring managers, or client partners.
• The AI does not evaluate facial expressions, emotions, or physical traits; it is used only to support fairness, consistency, and efficiency.

If you prefer a non-AI interview format, we will gladly provide an alternative.