Head of IT

About TensorWave

TensorWave is focused on making AI compute dependable, secure, and easy to scale. The company provides a flexible cloud platform that removes infrastructure friction so teams can spend their time building new products instead of managing complex systems.

About the Role

TensorWave is hiring a seasoned IT leader to establish and own the corporate IT function. Reporting to the VP of Operations, this person will oversee infrastructure, security, systems operations, vendor relationships, and the team that supports day-to-day business continuity.

This role offers the opportunity to define IT for a fast-moving company operating GPU clusters across several data centers. The position carries broad ownership across architecture, vendor decisions, and team design, with responsibility for building the systems and controls needed for sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the company’s corporate infrastructure, including networking, identity and access management, endpoint administration across Mac, Windows, and Linux devices, cloud services, and the broader SaaS environment.
• Set and maintain security and compliance practices for corporate IT, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, export control requirements, and incident response processes.
• Build scalable IT operations and support practices, such as ticketing, service-level targets, onboarding systems, and help desk standards.
• Hire, develop, and lead an IT team from the ground up, including role design, career growth paths, and technical development planning.
• Manage vendors and budgets by negotiating agreements, handling supplier relationships, improving spend efficiency, and planning capital expenditures with Finance.
• Partner across the business, especially with People Operations on HR systems and with Data Center and Infrastructure Engineering where internal and customer systems intersect.
• Create a multi-year IT strategy that covers refresh planning, security investments, and infrastructure expansion aligned with company growth.

What the Company Is Looking For

• A proven builder who has previously launched IT functions and is comfortable starting from a clean slate.
• A practical problem-solver who focuses on solutions that fit the company’s current stage rather than overengineering for the distant future.
• A strong communicator who can explain risk, tradeoffs, and priorities to executives and non-technical stakeholders.
• A hands-on owner who takes responsibility for issues until they are resolved without needing repeated escalation.
• A leader who can recruit well, coach team members, and create a culture people want to join.
• Someone who works effectively in changing environments and can adapt quickly as priorities shift.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure and operations, including 5 or more years in a leadership or management role.
• Strong experience with IT service management, security frameworks, and compliance programs such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001, or similar standards.
• Solid technical background in network administration, systems engineering, identity platforms such as Active Directory or Okta, and major cloud environments like AWS, GCP, and Azure.
• Experience growing IT operations in fast-scaling organizations, including hiring and building teams from the ground up.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate vendor contracts, control IT budgets, and improve technology spending efficiency.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical topics in simple terms to non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating IT functions from scratch or redesigning them at growth-stage technology companies.
• Familiarity with hardware infrastructure, networking concepts such as Ethernet, RDMA, and high-speed interconnects, or data center operations.
• Exposure to export control rules, OFAC requirements, or other international compliance frameworks.
• Experience with Kubernetes, containerized environments, or DevOps workflows.
• Experience presenting IT strategy, risk, and investment decisions to boards or executive leadership.

Benefits and Perks

• Stock options.
• Fully employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Company contributions to a Health Savings Account.
• Fully employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for employees.
• Life insurance plus optional supplemental insurance coverage.
• Additional insurance choices, including pet and legal coverage.
• Supplementary health benefits such as discounted virtual healthcare visits and serious illness support.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Additional in-office perks.

Equal Opportunity Statement

TensorWave is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse, inclusive workplace. Hiring and employment decisions are made without discrimination based on any legally protected status.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, TensorWave will provide reasonable support in line with applicable law. Requests can be directed to accomodations@tensorwave.com.

Employment Eligibility

Any offer is conditional on verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by law.

Background Checks

Where allowed by law, employment may also depend on successful completion of a role-related background check.

Data Privacy Notice

By applying, you acknowledge that TensorWave may collect, use, and keep your personal information for recruiting and employment-related purposes in accordance with applicable privacy laws.