---
title: 'IT Manager at Kraken Kinetics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/it-manager-kraken-kinetics-pinehurst-8dx3dtwe8gb9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-31'
---

# IT Manager at Kraken Kinetics

- **Company:** Kraken Kinetics
- **Location:** Pinehurst, NC
- **Compensation:** $140k–$160k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-31
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/kraken-kinetics/226c5818-80c8-49fc-be3d-41b42ec24e0d

## Job description

## ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges. Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most. Position Summary We are seeking an IT Manager to lead Kraken Kinetics' IT function: setting the policies, procedures, priorities, and plans that our IT team works from, and making sure IT supports where the business is headed. Kraken is a rapidly growing defense manufacturer working in a Microsoft 365 GCC High environment. We're looking for an experienced technical professional to lay the groundwork and help shape the documented IT policies, standards, and clear decision-making structure that enable our company to operate efficiently in a compliant environment. You will design the IT operating model, own the IT roadmap and budget, and lead a team of two: a Systems Administrator who owns infrastructure and systems, and an IT Support Specialist who owns Tier 1–2 support. This is a leadership and governance role, not a hands-on administration role. Day-to-day infrastructure work sits with the Systems Administrator, front-line support sits with the IT Support Specialist, and cybersecurity strategy and CMMC/NIST compliance sit with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst. The IT Manager makes sure all of that work is prioritized, documented, and moving in one direction.

## Key Responsibilities

IT Governance, Policies & Procedures

- Develop, document, and maintain Kraken's foundational IT policies, including acceptable use, access control, account provisioning and deprovisioning, password and MFA standards, device management, data backup and retention, change management, incident response, and other security-related policies in coordination with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager.
- Own the library of IT standard operating procedures (SOPs), assigning the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist to draft procedures for their areas and approving the final versions.
- Define the IT service model: support tiers, escalation paths, ticket priorities, and service level targets.
- Establish an approval process for IT purchases, new software, system changes, and policy exceptions.
- Review and update policies at least annually, or as the business, contracts, or regulatory requirements change.

IT Strategy & Planning

- Build and maintain a multi-year IT roadmap aligned with company growth, contract requirements, and leadership priorities.
- Approve infrastructure standards and major architecture decisions proposed by the Systems Administrator, including the design and rollout of the on-premises server environment.
- Lead IT planning for enterprise systems (ERP, MRP, IMS) with business stakeholders, from selection through integration.
- Act as IT's point of contact for company leadership and department heads, translating business needs into IT projects and priorities.

## Team Leadership

- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist.
- Set team priorities and manage the IT project and request backlog so that above-tier work does not land on the help desk.
- Resolve priority conflicts, cross-department requests, and non-technical escalations so the team can stay focused on technical work.
- Plan IT staffing as the company grows, including when to hire and when to use contractors.

Security & Compliance Partnership

- Work with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst to make sure IT policies, procedures, and projects support Kraken's security requirements.
- Coordinate IT's part in readiness for future handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, as directed by compliance leadership.
- Make sure the IT team produces the documentation and evidence needed for audits and assessments.

Vendor, Budget & Contract Management

- Develop and manage the annual IT budget, including hardware refresh cycles, software licensing, and infrastructure projects.
- Own relationships and contracts with IT vendors, internet and telecom providers, and software publishers, and coordinate with the MSCP alongside the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager.
- Oversee license, contract, and renewal tracking, using the asset registry maintained by the Systems Administrator.
- Evaluate and recommend technology that supports Kraken's business goals.

## Requirements

- 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 2 years leading an IT team or serving as the lead IT resource for an organization.
- Demonstrated experience writing and implementing IT policies, standards, and procedures, ideally in an organization that had little or none in place.
- Experience supervising and developing technical staff.
- Experience building and managing IT budgets, vendors, and contracts.
- Broad technical background across Microsoft 365, Entra ID (Azure AD), Intune, Windows Server, and networking, sufficient to direct and evaluate the work of a Systems Administrator.
- Experience planning and managing IT projects from start to finish.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical topics to leadership and non-technical employees.
- U.S. citizenship may be required to access certain systems and data.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with Microsoft 365 GCC or GCC High.
- Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or defense industrial base (DIB) environment.
- Familiarity with NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, or ITAR requirements and how they translate into IT policy.
- Experience leading an ERP, MRP, or IMS selection or implementation.
- Certifications such as ITIL Foundation, PMP, CompTIA Security+, or Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert.
- Experience building an IT function at a small or growing company.
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Benefits included:

- Generous PTO policy
- Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
- Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
- Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
- Generous 401(k) retirement plan
- Company-paid life insurance
- Great teammates and well stocked snacks

## LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life. Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham. Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs. We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates. Watch what it’s like to live here: https://youtu.be/gXuJhhVhcn8

## EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

## About Kraken Kinetics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Kraken Kinetics provides mission-tailored kinetic solutions for modern weapon systems, focusing on unmanned and autonomous delivery platforms, to enhance warfighting capabilities for the U.S. Armed Forces and allies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (early stage, no disclosed funding)
- **Headquarters**: Moore County (Pinehurst), North Carolina, United States
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: Brian Davis (Founder and President)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing (Aerospace & Defense)
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, defense technology partners (B2G, B2B)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Definitive Lethality" – to create advanced kinetic solutions to defeat adversaries on the modern battlefield, making it their mission and responsibility as Americans to deliver definitive lethality.

## Products & Services
- **Safe and Arm Devices**: Purpose-built devices for unmanned/autonomous platforms, featuring triple independent arming switches, redundant safety mechanisms, environmental sensors, arming delay circuits, and flexible triggering criteria. Options range from low-voltage cost-effective to high-voltage MIL-STD compliant configurations.
- **Shaped Charge Warheads**: Focus explosive energy through a metal liner to produce a high-velocity jet capable of penetrating thick armor at defined standoff distances.
- **Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) Warheads**: Engineered for significant penetration effects while being insensitive to standoff variability, circumventing enemy anti-armor countermeasures.
- **Thermobaric Warheads**: Effective against personnel and structures when delivered within the target.
- **Tungsten Fragmentation Warheads**: Tailored for delivery system and mission to balance fragment size, velocity, pattern density, and coverage area to neutralize materiel and personnel targets.
- **Reactive Material Warheads**: Optimal for thin-skinned materiel targets containing sensitive electronics or flammable materials.
- **Thermite Torch Payloads**: Bond to materiel targets, rapidly pierce up to several inches of steel, and initiate combustion events.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total employees – 21 (~244% YoY growth as of mid-2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available; clients include the U.S. Government, allies, and defense technology partners
- **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount grew from ~6 to 21 in about a year (+244% YoY); 11 active job postings (as of mid-2026); LinkedIn followers grew +187.6% YoY to ~4,843; multiple senior hires (Head of People, General Counsel, Head of IT, Director of Logistics, Director of Engineering, Head of Strategic Partnerships).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep DoD pedigree**: Leadership team originally formed the core of a government program that led the DoD into the era of kinetic drones, with over 40 years of combined experience in design, testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment of kinetic systems.
- **Rapid concept-to-deployment**: Proprietary design tools and empirically derived knowledge base allow swift progression from requirements analysis through model-build-test cycles to manufacturing.
- **Proven manufacturing focus**: Solutions are designed for manufacturing from the outset, enabling rapid scaling.
- **Broad warhead expertise**: In-house capability across multiple warhead types (shaped charge, EFP, thermobaric, fragmentation, reactive material, thermite torch) and safe/arm fuzing systems.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling the organization (hiring across engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, recruiting, and account management).
- Expanding government and industry partnerships (active roles for Account Manager – Government Relations and Account Manager – Industry Relations).
- Continuing to develop next-generation kinetic solutions for unmanned and autonomous delivery platforms.
- Maintaining commercial agility while meeting MIL-STD compliance and operational security needs.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contributes to national security and equipping U.S. forces and allies with advanced lethality.
- **Rapid growth environment**: Young company (founded 2023) with triple-digit headcount growth, offering early-stage impact and career acceleration.
- **Hybrid/In-Office flexibility**: Hybrid workspace in Pinehurst, NC; some roles are listed as in-office. Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
- **Tight-knit, expert team**: Small team (21 employees) with deep defense experience; employees come from backgrounds in aerospace, defense, and military (including USMC, AECOM, AEVEX, etc.).
- **Cross-functional exposure**: Roles span engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), manufacturing (Warhead Fabricator, Fulfillment Lead), quality (Quality Manager, Safety Manager), finance (Controller, Financial Analyst), and people operations (Recruiter, Head of People).

## Sources
1. [Kraken Kinetics Official Website](https://www.krakenkinetics.com/)
2. [Built In Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/kraken-kinetics)
3. [Built In Jobs Page](https://builtin.com/company/kraken-kinetics/jobs)
4. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kraken-kinetics)
5. [SignalHire Company Profile](https://www.signalhire.com/companies/kraken-kinetics)

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