Director of Information Technology

Director of Information Technology Location :

• Bloomfield, CT | Fully on-site About LiquidPiston LiquidPiston is a technology-driven engineering company developing advanced rotary engines based on a new thermodynamic cycle.
• Our team of ~40 engineers and professionals are solving some of the most challenging problems in propulsion today.
• We’re seeking a Director of IT who is both a strategic leader and a hands-on technologist.
• This is not a “desk-only” management role - it’s ideal for someone who enjoys being in the trenches building, maintaining, and securing systems while also setting the company’s long-term IT vision.
• You will be the technical authority and owner of LiquidPiston’s IT infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, and technology roadmap.
• Key Responsibilities Own and evolve LiquidPiston’s IT infrastructure - from servers to switches - ensuring high availability, performance, and security across a hybrid Windows / Linux environment.
• Design, deploy, and maintain critical systems including servers, routers, firewalls, VPNs, and cloud-based services.
• Provide hands-on support for desktops, networks, and user issues, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity for a team of engineers and professionals.
• Partner with executive leadership to define IT strategy, budgets, and priorities aligned with business goals and compliance requirements.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity frameworks, including NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0; lead audits and ensure continuous compliance.
• Oversee and participate in network segmentation, authentication, encryption, and access control initiatives.
• Manage and support Microsoft 365, Exchange, Active Directory, DNS, SSO, and file-sharing systems.
• Optimize engineering software performance and licensing (SolidWorks, ANSYS, MATLAB, etc.).
• Automate and streamline IT operations and deployments using scripting and configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, PowerShell, Python).
• Mentor and scale the IT function as the company grows — defining processes, selecting tools, and potentially building a small team in the future.

Required Qualifications BS in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (MS preferred) 7+ years of progressive, hands-on IT infrastructure and systems management experience Proven ability to manage both Windows and Linux server environments Strong networking background - routers, switches, VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, Wi-Fi Solid grasp of cybersecurity principles, NIST 800-171, and CMMC 2.0 compliance Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Exchange, Active Directory, DNS, and SSO Experience with scripting and automation (e.g., Ansible, PowerShell, Python) Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment Preferred Qualifications Certifications such as CCNA, CISSP, or equivalent networking / security credentials Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) or GPU-based systems Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and DevOps methodologies Hands-on experience with MySQL or other relational databases Benefits & Perks Flexible PTO :

Health & Wellness :

Equity Participation :