Senior IT Operations Manager - Pleasanton, CA

Summary:

Calyxo is seeking an experienced Senior IT Operations Manager to own the infrastructure backbone of the company as we scale toward and through IPO. This role leads day-to-day IT operations, ensuring reliable, secure, and responsive technology services that support Calyxo's employees and business objectives. You will own our enterprise network and endpoint infrastructure - including switching, firewall, and wireless environments - and will be the operational lead for our core security tooling stack (endpoint detection and response, security awareness training, and endpoint/cloud security).

You will also establish company-wide software license tracking, author and maintain IT policies and procedures, and own SOX testing and evidence management for IT general controls as Calyxo builds a public-company-grade control environment. As the team scales, this role will eventually take on oversight of the helpdesk/end-user support function.

This is a foundational, build-oriented role - you will inherit a growing environment and be responsible for hardening it, documenting it, and scaling it to support a ~500-employee, pre-IPO medical device company.

In This Role, You Will:

Network & Infrastructure Operations

• Own the design, deployment, and ongoing administration of Calyxo's network infrastructure, including enterprise-grade switches, firewalls, and wireless access points across HQ and manufacturing sites.

• Monitor network performance, capacity, and uptime; troubleshoot and resolve complex connectivity, routing, and security issues.

• Lead infrastructure and network build-out for new and expanding facilities (e.g., the Rosewood manufacturing site), including physical security and building management system integration.

• Maintain server, storage, and cloud infrastructure supporting business operations, in partnership with the broader IT team.

Security Operations & Tooling

• Serve as the operational owner of Calyxo's core security tooling stack, including security awareness training and phishing simulation, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and endpoint/cloud security platforms.

• Monitor security alerts and incidents, drive remediation, and continuously improve the company's security posture.

• Partner with leadership to define and enforce security policies, access controls, and incident response procedures.

Software Asset & License Management

• Establish and maintain a company-wide software license tracking process, ensuring accurate visibility into license counts, utilization, renewals, and compliance.

• Identify opportunities to optimize license spend and eliminate underutilized or duplicate software.

• Partner with Finance and department leaders on software budgeting and vendor renewals.

IT Policies, Procedures & SOX Compliance

• Develop, document, and maintain IT policies and procedures covering infrastructure, security, access management, and change control.

• Own IT General Controls (ITGC) testing, evidence collection, and audit support for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, partnering with Internal Audit, external auditors, and Finance.

• Ensure IT controls and documentation are audit-ready and support the company's transition to public-company operating standards.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Serve as the operational leader for IT infrastructure and, as the team scales, assume oversight of the helpdesk/end-user support function.

• Manage relationships with infrastructure, network, and security vendors, including contract negotiation, service-level expectations, and performance management.

• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and feedback to IT operations staff, promote knowledge sharing, and help build a collaborative, accountable team culture.

• As the IT Operations function grows, support hiring and onboarding, help define roles and team operating rhythms, and be prepared to assume direct people-management responsibility.

• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Who You Will Report To:

• Sr. Director, Information Technology

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• 12+ years of progressive IT infrastructure/operations experience, including 3+ years of direct people-management experience leading IT infrastructure, operations, helpdesk, or security teams.

• Hands-on, specific experience configuring, administering, and troubleshooting enterprise-grade switching, firewall, and wireless network equipment (e.g., Cisco, Cisco Meraki, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Juniper, Aruba, or similar) is required.

• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals (routing, switching, VLANs, VPN, firewall policy, wireless design).

• Direct experience administering enterprise-grade security awareness and endpoint protection platforms (e.g., KnowBe4, Proofpoint, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender, or similar).

• Experience administering enterprise endpoint, identity and access management, and cloud infrastructure environments, such as Microsoft Intune, Jamf, Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Azure, AWS, or similar platforms.

• Demonstrated experience directly managing and developing IT operations or technical support teams, including hiring, setting performance expectations, coaching, performance management, and career development.

• Experience developing and maintaining IT policies and procedures.

• Experience with software asset/license management processes and tools.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and with executive leadership.

• Work location: Pleasanton, CA (onsite).

• Full-time employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing SOX ITGC testing, evidence, and audit support; public company or pre-IPO experience strongly preferred.

• Experience in a biotech, medical device, or other regulated life sciences environment is nice to have.

• Experience managing or building a helpdesk/service desk function.

• Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNA, Network+, CompTIA Security+, or similar) are a plus.

• Experience operating in a high-growth or scaling organization.

What We Offer:

At Calyxo, you will be part of a knowledgeable, high-achieving, experienced and fun team. You will work in a diverse work environment with experienced, proven leaders and have an opportunity to shape our company culture. You will experience constant learning and dynamic challenges to help you grow and be the best version of yourself.

We also offer an attractive compensation package, which includes:

• A competitive base salary of $180,000 - $195,000 and variable incentive plan
• Stock options - ownership and a stake in growing a mission-driven company
• Employee benefits package that includes 401(k), healthcare insurance and paid vacation