IT Director

Optics11 is a fast-growing high-tech company based in Amsterdam, developing advanced fiber optic sensing systems for the most demanding environments. Our technology detects the earliest signs of failure in critical assets – from high-voltage energy infrastructure to subsea and defense applications – and gives our customers precise, real-time data they can act on.

Within our Underwater Security business we develop sensing technologies that help detect and monitor underwater threats. Our solutions include OptiBarrier, designed for immediate, over-the-horizon threat detection, and OptiArray, our low-power optical thin-line towed array for unmanned underwater vehicles and submarines.

The Role

As we grow, we are looking for an IT Director to lead and develop the organization that keeps Optics11 running and ready to scale. You will shape our IT direction, strengthen service delivery and build the team, architecture and operating model needed for the next phase of the company.

You will own IT strategy and delivery across Workplace and Support Services, Infrastructure, Cloud and Operational Technology, Enterprise Applications and Integration, and Product IT Operations. Your remit includes people, budget, suppliers, architecture, service management and continuity across these areas.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will set direction and manage the team, while remaining close enough to the technology to make sound decisions and earn the trust of experienced specialists. You will introduce practical ITIL-based ways of working that make services predictable without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Security Office operates independently from IT and sets security requirements, architecture input and assurance expectations. Your team will implement and operate the technical controls assigned to IT. For products in the field, Customer Service will own the customer case and Product Engineering will own product design and engineering changes. Product IT Operations will provide the specialist operational IT capability between them.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary IT team covering workplace support, infrastructure, cloud, operational technology, enterprise applications and Product IT Operations.

• Own the IT strategy, architecture, roadmap and priorities, translating business needs into clear and achievable plans.

• Establish an ITIL-aligned service model with one Service Desk, clear resolver groups, controlled changes, meaningful service levels and continual improvement.

• Ensure the reliability and recoverability of workplace technology, identity services, endpoints, servers, cloud platforms, networks, backup and recovery.

• Reduce reliance on individual experts through competent cover, documentation, secure access, knowledge transfer and tested recovery procedures.

• Own the technical lifecycle of enterprise core applications and integrations, e.g. ERP, PLM, CRM. Business owners define processes and data requirements, while application champions and IT perform approved administration and changes.

• Build Product IT Operations as a distinct service for the cloud, edge, connectivity and other IT components used in deployed customer products. Establish monitoring, patching, backup, secure remote access, operational readiness and clear support handovers.

• Define and improve the IT responsibilities within manufacturing and test environments, including asset registration, operating systems, connectivity, support boundaries and a segregated OT network architecture.

• Implement and operate the security controls assigned to IT, maintain evidence and remediation plans, and work with the Security Office on incidents, risks and exceptions.

• Work with R&D and Data Science on agreed infrastructure and integrations. Those teams retain ownership of DevOps and MLOps.

• Plan and deliver IT services for new locations, including remote support, local hands, equipment logistics and coordination with Security and Facilities.

• Own the IT budget and supplier relationships, and ensure that external partners complement internal accountability and knowledge.

• Lead the disentanglement of interconnected IT services and dependencies, establishing clear ownership while protecting continuity and ensuring controlled handovers.

• Use service performance, workload, risks and skills data to guide recruitment, training and investment, and communicate progress clearly to management.

What we offer

• Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing deep-tech scale-ups.

• Real impact: your work directly shapes our growth and success.

• A great team in an international organisation with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities.

• A competitive salary and benefits package.

• 30 days of holiday per year.

• Fresh team lunches five times a week, plus regular team activities and company events.