Director IT Infrastructure & DevSecOps (all genders)

About Us:
STARK Defense is a fast-growing European defense technology company specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced defense systems. With operations across Germany and the UK, we are scaling rapidly to meet growing international demand. As part of this growth, we are building a strong corporate backbone that ensures security, speed, and reliability across all business.

Your mission:
The Director Corporate IT is responsible for leading and scaling the company’s IT function across all locations (Berlin, Munich, UK, and future sites). This leadership role oversees all aspects of corporate IT operations - including IT Support & Helpdesk, System Administration, IT Procurement, and IT Security Engineering and DevSecOps Management - ensuring robust, secure, and efficient technology operations aligned with defense-industry standards and internal growth targets.

The role requires a hands-on strategic leader capable of balancing infrastructure reliability, compliance, and user enablement in a high-security, fast-scaling environment.

Responsibilities:
System Administration (Infrastructure & Projects)

• Manage on-premises and cloud environments (network, servers, collaboration tools, hardware).
• Lead infrastructure projects (e.g., office setups, migrations, automation).

• Ensure standardization and security of IT environments across regions and automate environment setup using scripting and configuration management tools

IT Support & Helpdesk (1st & 2nd Level)

• Oversee global IT support operations across all locations, ensuring high availability and excellent user experience.

• Introduce lightweight, data-driven processes (ITIL where practical)

• Define KPIs for response times, resolution rates, and user satisfaction.

DevSecOps Driving & Management

• Provide direct leadership and line manangement  to the DevSecOps Manager, ensuring clear priorities, performance expectations and professional development.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between DevSecOps, Corporate IT, and security to ensure consistent implementation of security standards across infrastrcture and software delivery.

• Approve DevSecOps roadmaps, resource plans, and quarterly objectives, ensuring they support business, compliance and claassifield-project requirements.

IT Security Engineering

• Act as the primary interface between Corporate interface between Corporate IT and Corporate Security functions

• Implement and operationalize endpoint protection, access control, and network monitoring in collaboration with the CISO / Security team

• Translate compliance and classified-project requirements (VS-NfD, ISO 27001, NIS2) into practical IT controls.

IT Procurement

• Establish and maintain vendor relationships, procurement processes, and IT asset lifecycle management.

• Optimize hardware and software acquisition in alignment with company growth and security requirements.

• Manage IT budgeting and cost control in close alignment with Finance.

Leadership & Strategy

• Build and lead a distributed Corporate IT team across Berlin, Munich, and the UK.

• Balance immediate operational needs with mid-term standardization and automation goals

• Define long-term IT roadmap aligned with business goals, production needs, and classified project requirements.

• Drive automation, scalability, and resilience within all IT functions.

• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on digital strategy, risk, and investment priorities.

Qualifications:
• 7+ years of experience in IT management, including 5+ years in leadership roles in high-security or regulated industries (defense, aerospace, critical infrastructure).

• Proven experience in scaling IT operations across multiple sites and countries.

• Strong technical foundation across infrastructure, IT support, network management, and cybersecurity.

• Demonstrated experience working closely with CISO / Information Security functions.

• Familiarity with defense compliance (VS-NfD, BSI Grundschutz, ISO 27001) is highly advantageous.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills in English and German.

• Hands-on, pragmatic leadership style, with the ability to move between strategy and execution.