The Opportunity:
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, highly capable IT Manager to own, architect, and maintain the entire technology ecosystem across production and software divisions of Stellar..
As a nimble startup, our IT team is lean, focused, and high-impact. Working alongside an IT Systems Administrator, you will lead departmental strategy, manage tech budgets, and drive vendor relationships while remaining deeply hands-on in the terminal, managing networks, writing automation code, and maintaining our physical data centers.
If you are a seasoned IT leader or Senior Systems Architect looking to shape the studio's technology landscape, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where leadership means getting things done, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:
Department Leadership & Strategy:
- Own the IT Function: Define and execute the studio's overarching technology roadmap, infrastructure budgets, and security posture to support scaling studio operations and commercial software delivery.
- Vendor & Asset Management: Manage software licensing contracts, hardware procurement, vendor relationships, and IT asset inventories.
- Client Security Compliance: Act as the primary technical liaison for TPN and third-party security audits, implementing necessary infrastructure enhancements to meet strict industry protection standards.
- Team Supervision: Manage, mentor, and task-manage your IT team, establishing efficient workflows, ticketing priorities, and clear operational documentation
Infrastructure Engineering & Automation:
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Architect and maintain automated deployment pipelines across Rocky9 Linux and Windows Server environments using Puppet, Ansible, and Python.
- High-Performance Storage & Cloud: Manage high-throughput storage systems (NAS, Linux filers) and hybrid cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP) for backups, bursting, and containerized workloads (Docker).
- Networking & Security: Configure and maintain Layer 1 to 3 network architecture (Arista, Fortinet, VLANs, TCP/IP, DNS/DHCP) to support render farms and high-volume asset transfer without bottlenecking artists.
Hands-On Operations & Escalation:
- Onboarding & Support: Manage hardware distribution and the creation & maintenance of user accounts for all incoming studio staff.
- Senior Escalation: Serve as the final technical escalation point for complex infrastructure, network, and artist workstation issues via Jira Service Management.
- Physical Infrastructure: Roll up your sleeves for hands-on data center work, including racking servers, cable management, and hardware maintenance.
- Software Integration: Handle software installation requests, updates, and infrastructure support for 2D/3D animation pipelines and AI development tools. Partner closely with internal pipeline developers and software engineers for upgrades and tickets
Requirements:
Must Haves & Nice to Haves:
- 5+ years of progressive experience in Systems Engineering, Senior IT Administration, or IT Leadership (ideally within Animation, VFX, Gaming, or High-Performance Computing startups).
- Proven Leadership Ability: Prior experience managing direct reports, IT projects, or small technical teams, with the communication skills to translate technical needs into executive-level decisions.
- Dual OS Expertise: Strong, practical administration skills across both Linux (Rocky9) and Windows OS/Active Directory.
- Automation & Scripting: Proficient in Python scripting and configuration management tools (Puppet or Ansible).
- Networking & Virtualization: Practical working knowledge of Layer 1 to 3 networking, firewalls (Fortinet/Arista), VMware, and Docker.
Startup Mindset & Physical Requirements
- Resourceful & Adaptable: Thrives in a lean environment where priorities can shift quickly; willing to handle high-level strategic planning and day-to-day fixes in the same afternoon.
- Physical & Logistics: Ability to lift and rack server nodes (up to 50 lbs) in our data center. Must hold a valid Driver's License and have reliable transportation for periodic visits to our non-transit-accessible co-location facility.
- Legal Eligibility: Legally entitled to work in Canada, B.C.
Why Join Stellar?- Hybrid Work: Flexible schedule with 2 to 3 days per week in our Vancouver office.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
- High Ownership: Complete autonomy to shape the IT architecture powering award-winning creative projects and industry-changing software tools.
- Culture: A supportive, collaborative, and ego-free environment where technical expertise fuels creative magic.
- Compensation: The salary range for this position is between $100,000 and $120,000 CAD, based on your level of experience.
