IT Support Specialist (CMMC)
Hi-Rel, Essex, CT, United States
Overview
IT Support Specialist (Manufacturing) – Defense Programs | CMMC Level 1/2
Department / Reporting
Department: Information Technology (IT)
Reports to: General Manager
Work Location: Hybrid - On-site (Essex CT) / Remote
Travel: Occasional (Canada/UK – facility)
Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on IT Support Specialist to provide site IT support in a manufacturing environment supporting military/defense customers. This role is responsible for day-to-day IT operations (workstations, accounts, printers, connectivity, basic networking, collaboration tools) while also helping implement and sustain CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 cybersecurity practices. You will partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Corporate IT to maintain secure, reliable systems that support production and protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) where applicable.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
Site Support (Primary): Provide support for office and shop-floor users (Windows endpoints, peripherals, scanners, label printers, VoIP phones, conference room systems).
Troubleshoot hardware/software issues: imaging, break/fix, drivers, application issues, performance, and connectivity (LAN/Wi-Fi/VPN).
Provision and support user accounts, email, and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint) including onboarding/offboarding.
Support manufacturing-adjacent systems (as applicable): ERP, shared workstations, and production PCs.
Maintain IT inventory and lifecycle management: asset tagging, deployment, refresh planning, secure disposal, and license tracking.
Manage and maintain printers and print services (including production label printers) and coordinate with vendors for repairs and supplies.
Assist with network support: patching, cable management, switch/AP troubleshooting, and basic firewall/VLAN coordination
Document issues, solutions, and standard procedures in a ticketing/knowledge base system; meet service-level expectations.
Cybersecurity & Compliance (CMMC Level 1/2 Focus)
Support implementation and ongoing operation of CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 practices, including collecting evidence and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
Assist with NIST SP 800-171 aligned controls (where applicable), including: access control/least privilege, MFA support, secure configuration baselines, patch and vulnerability management, endpoint protection, and secure backup/restore testing and retention practices.
Help maintain compliance artifacts such as policies/procedures, system inventories, training records, and other required evidence.
Support secure handling of CUI/FCI where applicable (labeling, storage, transmission, and user guidance).
Assist with vendor management and security reviews for IT tools/services to ensure alignment with defense program requirements.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Work closely with Operations and Engineering to minimize downtime on the manufacturing floor while maintaining security requirements.
Provide basic cybersecurity awareness coaching to end users (phishing, safe data handling, removable media rules, clean desk, etc.).
Identify recurring issues and recommend improvements (automation, standardization, hardware refresh, segmentation, policy updates).
Requirements
Required Qualifications
3+ years of hands-on IT support experience (help desk, desktop support, or site IT), ideally in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting Windows endpoints in an Active Directory environment (Windows 10/11; basic Group Policy concepts; user provisioning and permissions).
Practical troubleshooting experience with networking fundamentals, printers/peripherals, and common business applications/collaboration tools.
CMMC implementation experience (Level 1 or Level 2), such as implementing practices/controls, preparing evidence, supporting internal audits, developing/executing security policies and procedures, and/or supporting assessment readiness (gap support, POA&M tracking, remediation).
Experience working in or supporting military/defense environments (DoD contractor, defense manufacturing, defense supply chain), with awareness of controlled data expectations and disciplined change management.
Strong documentation skills (tickets, SOPs, evidence capture) and ability to explain technical issues to non-technical users.
Ability to work on-site and safely in a production environment (PPE adherence, awareness around machinery and restricted areas).
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with defense compliance frameworks/requirements such as NIST SP 800-171, DFARS cybersecurity expectations, and ITAR/EAR awareness (as applicable).
Experience with Microsoft 365 administration
Experience with EDR/antivirus platforms, vulnerability scanning, and backup platforms.
Basic firewall/VLAN segmentation concepts and secure remote access/VPN.
Certifications (nice to have): CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+; Microsoft (MS-900, MD-102); ITIL Foundation; and/or recognized CMMC-related training/credentials.
Experience supporting regulated or audited environments (e.g., ISO 9001/AS9100).
Key Competencies
Customer-first support mindset with strong follow-through.
Calm, methodical troubleshooting and prioritization.
Security-minded approach (least privilege, verify before trust, document changes).
Ability to balance uptime needs of production with compliance requirements.
Strong communication and collaboration across departments.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements (Typical For Manufacturing IT)
Mix of office and production-floor support; may require walking the facility and occasional lifting of IT equipment (e.g., up to 30-50 lbs).
May require availability for occasional after-hours maintenance, patching, or urgent production-impacting issues.
Security / Eligibility Note (Optional Language)
Candidates may need to meet customer and program requirements for defense work (e.g., background screening; in some cases, U.S. Person status may be required due to export-controlled data/programs).
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IT Support Specialist (Manufacturing) – Defense Programs | CMMC Level 1/2
Department / Reporting
Department: Information Technology (IT)
Reports to: General Manager
Work Location: Hybrid - On-site (Essex CT) / Remote
Travel: Occasional (Canada/UK – facility)
Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on IT Support Specialist to provide site IT support in a manufacturing environment supporting military/defense customers. This role is responsible for day-to-day IT operations (workstations, accounts, printers, connectivity, basic networking, collaboration tools) while also helping implement and sustain CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 cybersecurity practices. You will partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Corporate IT to maintain secure, reliable systems that support production and protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) where applicable.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
Site Support (Primary): Provide support for office and shop-floor users (Windows endpoints, peripherals, scanners, label printers, VoIP phones, conference room systems).
Troubleshoot hardware/software issues: imaging, break/fix, drivers, application issues, performance, and connectivity (LAN/Wi-Fi/VPN).
Provision and support user accounts, email, and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint) including onboarding/offboarding.
Support manufacturing-adjacent systems (as applicable): ERP, shared workstations, and production PCs.
Maintain IT inventory and lifecycle management: asset tagging, deployment, refresh planning, secure disposal, and license tracking.
Manage and maintain printers and print services (including production label printers) and coordinate with vendors for repairs and supplies.
Assist with network support: patching, cable management, switch/AP troubleshooting, and basic firewall/VLAN coordination
Document issues, solutions, and standard procedures in a ticketing/knowledge base system; meet service-level expectations.
Cybersecurity & Compliance (CMMC Level 1/2 Focus)
Support implementation and ongoing operation of CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 practices, including collecting evidence and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
Assist with NIST SP 800-171 aligned controls (where applicable), including: access control/least privilege, MFA support, secure configuration baselines, patch and vulnerability management, endpoint protection, and secure backup/restore testing and retention practices.
Help maintain compliance artifacts such as policies/procedures, system inventories, training records, and other required evidence.
Support secure handling of CUI/FCI where applicable (labeling, storage, transmission, and user guidance).
Assist with vendor management and security reviews for IT tools/services to ensure alignment with defense program requirements.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Work closely with Operations and Engineering to minimize downtime on the manufacturing floor while maintaining security requirements.
Provide basic cybersecurity awareness coaching to end users (phishing, safe data handling, removable media rules, clean desk, etc.).
Identify recurring issues and recommend improvements (automation, standardization, hardware refresh, segmentation, policy updates).
Requirements
Required Qualifications
3+ years of hands-on IT support experience (help desk, desktop support, or site IT), ideally in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting Windows endpoints in an Active Directory environment (Windows 10/11; basic Group Policy concepts; user provisioning and permissions).
Practical troubleshooting experience with networking fundamentals, printers/peripherals, and common business applications/collaboration tools.
CMMC implementation experience (Level 1 or Level 2), such as implementing practices/controls, preparing evidence, supporting internal audits, developing/executing security policies and procedures, and/or supporting assessment readiness (gap support, POA&M tracking, remediation).
Experience working in or supporting military/defense environments (DoD contractor, defense manufacturing, defense supply chain), with awareness of controlled data expectations and disciplined change management.
Strong documentation skills (tickets, SOPs, evidence capture) and ability to explain technical issues to non-technical users.
Ability to work on-site and safely in a production environment (PPE adherence, awareness around machinery and restricted areas).
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with defense compliance frameworks/requirements such as NIST SP 800-171, DFARS cybersecurity expectations, and ITAR/EAR awareness (as applicable).
Experience with Microsoft 365 administration
Experience with EDR/antivirus platforms, vulnerability scanning, and backup platforms.
Basic firewall/VLAN segmentation concepts and secure remote access/VPN.
Certifications (nice to have): CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+; Microsoft (MS-900, MD-102); ITIL Foundation; and/or recognized CMMC-related training/credentials.
Experience supporting regulated or audited environments (e.g., ISO 9001/AS9100).
Key Competencies
Customer-first support mindset with strong follow-through.
Calm, methodical troubleshooting and prioritization.
Security-minded approach (least privilege, verify before trust, document changes).
Ability to balance uptime needs of production with compliance requirements.
Strong communication and collaboration across departments.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements (Typical For Manufacturing IT)
Mix of office and production-floor support; may require walking the facility and occasional lifting of IT equipment (e.g., up to 30-50 lbs).
May require availability for occasional after-hours maintenance, patching, or urgent production-impacting issues.
Security / Eligibility Note (Optional Language)
Candidates may need to meet customer and program requirements for defense work (e.g., background screening; in some cases, U.S. Person status may be required due to export-controlled data/programs).
#J-18808-Ljbffr