IT Support & Security Operations Technician

Highland Engineering, Inc. (HEI) was founded in 1986 – and has become one of the leading small business suppliers of Ground Support Equipment to the DoD. Our emphasis has always been on solving the needs of our customers. Highland is an employee owned company and the average tenure of a Highland Employee is more than 10 years.

Job Title: IT Support & Security Operations Technician

Location: On-Site - Howell, MI

Clearance/Eligibility: U.S. Persons only; DoD manufacturing environment

Terms: Full-Time

Job Summary: HEI is a defense manufacturer operating with a mature secure IT architecture. Under the direction of the CIO and Senior Systems Engineer, this role will provide on-site support, manage day-to-day security operations and maintain the documentation, records, and evidence required to demonstrate ongoing compliance. As the dedicated technical lead for operational security, this role will play a critical part in sustaining and strengthening our secure environment, ensuring that controls remain effective, processes are well documented and compliance obligations are consistently met as the organization grows and evolves.

This role will be an opportunity to build deep expertise in secure IT operations within a defense manufacturing environment while being mentored by experienced security and IT operations leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

- Provide first-line support for Windows desktops, laptops, and user accounts; support end-users.

- Apply and verify security baselines via centrally managed tools.

- Track and update hardware/software inventory and control evidence in a Git-based repository.

- Assist with the deployment of authentication devices, secure remote access, and endpoint hardening.

- Escalate complex issues to senior staff and track to closure.

- Maintain clear, auditable documentation of changes and configurations.

What We Value:

- Eager to learn: Interested in building deep expertise in secure IT operations under direct mentorship from senior security leadership.

- Process-minded: Comfortable following SOPs and recording actions in a structured way (tickets, process logs, change records, etc.).

- Effective communicator: Able to work with engineers, shop-floor personnel, and executives alike in a respectful, service-oriented manner.

- Dependable and discreet: Understands the sensitivity of the environment and handles information responsibly.

- Mission-driven: Understands the stakes of working in a DoD manufacturing environment and acts accordingly; sense of urgency, and stays available for the occasional after-hours emergency.

- Positive contributor: Brings a can-do attitude and sees documentation and compliance as part of the craft, not a burden.

Qualifications:

- 3–5+ years of IT support experience in a Windows environment.

- Familiarity with Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and security best practices.

- Interest in cybersecurity and regulated-environment IT operations.

- Strong customer service orientation and documentation skills.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

- Exposure to compliance frameworks such as NIST or CMMC.

- Basic scripting or automation experience.

- Familiarity with SonicWall firewalls, Netgear switching, OSPF, VRRP, IPSec, VPN, and other internetworking technologies.

- Familiarity with Ubuntu and Docker.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Retirement plan

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person