Technical Engineering Operations & Project Management Leader

This is NOT a Remote or Hybrid position

About SSR Total IT

SSR Total IT is a growing Managed Service Provider (MSP) based in the Milwaukee metro area, supporting over 170 small to mid-sized businesses across infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, application development, and ongoing managed services. Our Engineering team delivers approximately 200 projects per year, ranging from 30–200 hours in scope.

Our work is guided by strong core values: Client Driven, Elevate Others, Do the Right Thing, Thirst for Knowledge, and Professionalism. These values shape how we serve our clients, collaborate internally, and develop leaders across the organization.

As we continue to scale, we are investing in leadership roles that strengthen delivery execution, improve project outcomes, and provide our Engineering teams with better planning, structure, and accountability.

Job Summary

SSR Total IT is seeking an Engineering Operations Lead / Project Manager with a strong systems engineering background and proven experience leading complex IT projects in an MSP environment. This role is ideal for a former Systems or Infrastructure Engineer who has moved into project or delivery leadership and understands the demands of a fast-paced, multi-client organization.

This is a project-focused leadership role responsible for end-to-end delivery of IT initiatives while providing operational oversight of Engineering scheduling, capacity planning, standards, and cross-project alignment. The role includes leadership over Engineering standards, employee development, and departmental performance, including P&L ownership, with 30–40% billable utilization through project delivery. Occasional technical involvement may be required, but this is not a day-to-day engineering position.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Delivery

• Support proposal development and create execution-level project plans (scope, phases, timelines,  assumptions, dependencies, and resourcing)
• Manage a portfolio of 30–40+ concurrent infrastructure, onboarding, and security projects
• Support SSR’s standard project delivery process, including:
  • Coordinating handoffs between Sales, Engineering, CSMs, vendors, and clients
  • Identifying and managing risks, issues, and change requests; driving approvals and adjustments
  • Facilitating project status meetings and delivering clear, accurate stakeholder communication
  • Maintaining project documentation, schedules, and reporting
  • Ensuring proper project closeout, including documentation, billing true-ups, and client handoff
• Maintain awareness of project profitability, utilization, and margin impact

Engineering Leadership Oversight & Planning

• Lead employee management and professional development within Engineering
• Own and enforce Engineering standards, including:
  • Preventive maintenance and disaster recovery
  • Security frameworks (CMMC, ITAR, NIST)
  • Cloud standards (Azure)
  • Manufacturer and vendor best practices
  • Department SOPs and documentation
• Provide oversight of Engineering scheduling, capacity planning, and workload prioritization
• Assist in balancing project work and managed services demands
• Act as a technical planning escalation point and vCIO-level resource
• Drive continuous improvement in project planning, staffing, QA/QC, and execution quality
• Support environment reliability through quality reviews and occasional onsite visits

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience required
• 7+ years of IT experience, including hands-on work as a Systems or Infrastructure Engineer
• 3–5+ years leading technical projects and/or delivery teams in an IT services or MSP environment
• Strong understanding of infrastructure, networking, cloud (Azure), and security concepts
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, multi-client setting
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to influence without direct authority
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills with technical teams, leadership, and clients

What Sets You Apart

• Systems Engineer background with a transition into project leadership
• Experience with project scoping, planning, and delivery processes
• PM certifications (PMP, CAPM, CSM) or equivalent experience
• Strong business acumen related to utilization, margin, and delivery efficiency
• Experience supporting small to mid-sized business clients across multiple industries 

Why Work at SSR

At SSR, you’ll play a key role in strengthening how projects are delivered and how Engineering teams are supported. You’ll have the opportunity to influence processes, improve outcomes, and help scale a growing organization—without excessive bureaucracy.

What our team values:

• Career growth and leadership development
• A collaborative, supportive culture with engaged leadership
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• A meaningful voice in how projects and teams operate

Benefits:

• 401(k) + Profit Share + Quarterly Bonus Program (SSR Share)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance
• PTO & Paid Holidays
• Training and Professional Development