Information Technology Operations Lead

Location: Texas, United States of America

Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billons of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.

Information Technology Operations Leader

United States (Remote – Texas and or EST; Austin, TX – Hybrid)  

Position Summary

Thales is looking for an IT Operations Team Leader whose role involves leading the IT Operations team while utilizing your technical expertise in Windows System Administration and Identity and Access Management (IAM). In this position, you will be responsible for managing, supporting, and securing Windows-based infrastructure, as well as overseeing Mac and Windows laptop environments.

In this position, you will lead a team of system administrators, providing day-to-day supervision and technical direction. Your expertise in identity, authentication, authorization, and access control will play a key role in ensuring secure and compliant access across systems and applications, while supporting modernization initiatives including hybrid and cloud IAM environments.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Manage a team of 3–4 system administrators, providing day-to-day supervision, technical direction, training, documentation, and support to ensure operational excellence and adherence to IAM best practices.
• Lead the implementation, management, and optimization of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, including Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Privileged Access Management (PAM), and investigate and resolve IAM-related incidents such as unauthorized access or authentication failures.
• Administer, configure, and troubleshoot Windows Server environments (2012/2016/2019/2022), and participate in system upgrades, patching, backups, and disaster recovery initiatives.
• Manage and maintain Microsoft Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and related domain services to ensure secure and efficient authentication processes.
• Monitor and maintain secure user access by provisioning, modifying, and deactivating user and group accounts; enforce least privilege access principles; and ensure compliance with security policies through regular audits of permissions, group memberships, and access logs.
• Collaborate with Security, Compliance, and IT teams to design and enforce access controls and security policies, and automate IAM processes and user lifecycle management using scripting tools such as PowerShell.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 8–12+ years of relevant work experience, or Master’s degree in a related field with 6+ years of relevant work experience.
• Proven experience as a Windows System Administrator in large enterprise environments, with strong hands-on expertise in Active Directory, Group Policy, and Windows authentication protocols.
• Solid understanding of Identity and Access Management (IAM) concepts and best practices, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and modern authentication mechanisms.
• Experience with IAM-related tools such as Azure AD, PingOne, Duo, SailPoint, and hybrid/cloud IAM environments (e.g., Azure, AWS IAM).
• Scripting and automation experience, preferably using PowerShell, along with exposure to audit and compliance processes related to access controls.
• Familiarity with macOS management software (e.g., Jamf), strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities, excellent communication skills, and relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals, MCSA, or similar.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with applicable federal law, state law (the California Fair Chance Act), and local ordinances (San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County’s Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers).

We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 121,446.00 - 205,102.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program