IT Enterprise Applications Lead {W}

ARKA Group L.P. (ARKA) is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military intelligence community and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.

Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!

Position Overview:

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on leader to drive our Enterprise Application Services function. This role is pivotal in ensuring the reliability scalability and strategic alignment of our business-critical applicationsincluding SAP engineering tools collaboration platforms and integrated systems. The ideal candidate will blend deep technical expertise with strategic foresight guiding application lifecycle management while fostering cross-functional collaboration and vendor partnerships.

We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.

Responsibilities:

Application Operations & Support

• Oversee end-to-end support for business applications including ERP (SAP) engineering tools and collaboration platforms (e.g. M365 Teams)
• Lead incident management root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives across the application portfolio
• Ensure high availability performance and user satisfaction through proactive monitoring and support

Integration & Architecture

• Design and manage application integrations across enterprise systems ensuring data integrity and seamless workflows
• Collaborate with infrastructure and security teams to maintain robust compliant and scalable architectures

Database & Platform Management

• Supervise database administration activities including performance tuning backup/recovery and lifecycle upgrades
• Partner with platform owners to optimize cloud/on-prem hosting strategies

Strategy & Roadmapping

• Develop and execute multi-year application roadmaps aligned with business and IT strategy.
• Create and manage an inventory of all enterprise applications including SaaS systems for support license and compliance efficiencies
• Lead application consolidation efforts to reduce complexity cost and technical debt
• Champion modernization initiatives including upgrades cloud migration and process automation

Vendor & License Management

• Manage relationships with software vendors negotiating contracts renewals and service levels
• Oversee license compliance usage optimization and cost control across the application landscape

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build and mentor a high-performing team of application analysts engineers and administrators from scratch
• Serve as a strategic partner to business units translating needs into scalable technology solutions
• Foster a culture of innovation accountability and continuous learning

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in information systems computer science or related subject or equivalent experience; masters preferred
• 5 years of experience in enterprise applications including ERP collaboration tools and application integration
• Proven leadership in managing a large application landscape consolidation efforts and vendor management
• Strong understanding of ERP (prefer SAP) architecture and support models
• Experience with M365 and engineering tool ecosystems (e.g. PLM CAD platforms)
• Knowledge of database technologies (SQL Server Oracle etc.) and integration frameworks (e.g. APIs middleware)
• Excellent communication stakeholder engagement and project management skills

Preferred:

• Experience in manufacturing engineering or regulated industries
• Familiarity with ITIL Agile and DevOps methodologies
• Working knowledge of compliance frameworks such as CMMC NIST or SOX and their impact on enterprise applications
• Experience operationalizing process discipline through ITIL-aligned service delivery change management and audit readiness

Pay Range: $120000 - $180000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills education and experience.

The application window will close in 40 days for this position.

Location: Colorado Springs CO

If you like city life but also enjoy the great outdoors Colorado Springs is the place for you. The city rests at the base of Pikes Peak. The 14115-foot summit is just one of dozens of area attractions including scenic trains museums parks a zoo and more. With a mild climate and plenty of sunshine the Springs boasts some of the states best recreation opportunities. The city is also known for its robust high-tech and sports industries. We are home to the U.S. Air Force Academy and four military bases and with the Olympic Training Center and dozens of sports federations nearby its common to spot world-class athletes around town.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
• 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
• 13 paid holidays
• Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
• Company paid life insurance AD&D Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard communicate listen to and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply send a request to or contact and press 2 for Human Resources.

ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Pre-employment Screenings:

Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check background check and drug screen.