Network/Security Operations Center (NOC/SOC) Manager

Colorado Springs, CO

Must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain a Secret clearance (active clearance preferred)

@Orchard LLC is actively seeking an experienced NOC/SOC Manager to build and manage an integrated Network and Security Operations Center for a rapidly growing Infrastructure as a Service company, with clients in both commercial and government sectors.

Our client builds secure, resilient digital infrastructure for missions where failure is not an option. When conventional networks are degraded, disrupted, or compromised, their integrated solutions—combining private 5G, secure networking, edge compute, satellite connectivity, and military-hardened infrastructure—keep critical communications alive. Our client serves defense, public safety, critical infrastructure, and commercial enterprises who depend on absolute network availability and zero-trust security in the most demanding environments.

In this high-impact operational leadership role, you will bridge cyber defense and telecommunications availability across private 5G, edge compute, cloud, satellite, and encrypted network environments.

We are looking for a disciplined, mission-focused leader who can build resilient operational processes, mentor technical teams, streamline incident response, and ensure continuous uptime for customers whose operations rely on uncompromising security and availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations Management: Direct day-to-day converged NOC/SOC operations, overseeing real-time monitoring, event triage, incident response, shift scheduling, escalation pathways, and executive reporting.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, train, and develop analysts managing network availability, cyber defense, vulnerability assessments, and rapid service restoration.
• Process & Strategy: Author and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, incident escalation matrices, operational dashboards, and after-action reports (AARs).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate directly with engineering, field operations, customer success, program management, and government stakeholders to support mission-critical customer deployments.
• Compliance & Security Governance: Maintain alignment with Department of War (DoW/DoD), NIST, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and customer-specific security frameworks to ensure compliance across all operational nodes.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive operational excellence in mean time to detect (MTTD), mean time to respond (MTTR), root-cause analysis (RCA), and outage prevention strategies.
• Working conditions: This is an on-site salaried role working regular hours (8.30 – 5.30), however, a willingness to support weekends and holidays, if necessary, with suitable advance notice is required.
• Travel: Some travel to support customers and field tasks may be necessary.

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance is required. (U.S. Citizenship is strictly required due to DoD adjudication guidelines). Active Secret clearance strongly preferred.
• Experience:
• 7+ years of progressive experience in network operations, security operations, telecommunications, cyber defense, or managed services.
• 3+ years in team leadership, shift management, NOC/SOC operations management, or incident response coordination.
• Technical Proficiency:
• Strong working knowledge of IP networking (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs), wireless systems, virtualized/cloud infrastructure, and zero-trust monitoring concepts.
• Hands-on familiarity with modern operations stack tools, including ServiceNow, Nessus, Checkmk, ELK, OpenCTI, MISP, Zeek, Suricata, and Xage.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical issues for C-suite executives, technical leads, and government mission partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mission Experience: Background supporting DoD/DoW, federal agencies, public safety, telecom providers, or classified mission environments.
• Advanced Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with private 5G/LTE architectures, SATCOM, edge computing platforms, and disconnected/degraded operations. 5G certifications are a plus.
• Industry Certifications: CISSP, CISM, Security+, Network+, CCNA, CCNP, ITIL, or GIAC certifications.
• Scaling Operations: Proven track record of building, scaling, or modernizing a converged NOC/SOC function.
• AI Tooling Integration: Experience utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate security research, automated incident triage, data organization, and network management workflows.

Compensation: Is based on experience and qualifications. The expected Base salary will be in the range of $135,000 - $160,000, with bonus eligibility. Our client offers competitive benefits, including 401K and unlimited vacation.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.