Job Description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

The Data & Configuration Manager will lead cross functional stakeholders to ensure that the configuration of all aerospace products is fully defined, traceable, and auditable for the complete lifecycle of a specific aerospace program. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of aerospace product configurations throughout their lifecycle. The candidate will be responsible for implementing and managing Configuration Management processes, with a specific focus on integrating and optimizing Product Data Lifecycle Management practices. The Configuration Manager will support operational and development Programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilizing superior engineering and problem-solving skills. The Configuration Manager will keep an overview of all documents within multiple customer accounts. They will deliver robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to both materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of aerospace configuration management processes in compliance with customer, industry, and regulatory standards, including MIL STD 973, EIA 649, and ISO IEC 15288.
• Define and enforce configuration control policies to ensure product consistency, traceability, and baseline integrity across the product lifecycle.
• Maintain accountability for EBOM and MBOM accuracy, including condition of supply documents and approved substitutes.
• Own and administer the change control process for aerospace products, including impact analysis related to cost, schedule, performance, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Chair and administer multiple Change Control Boards, ensuring disciplined documentation, approval, and implementation of configuration changes in collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, program, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Establish and maintain robust configuration documentation and baseline management systems to ensure accuracy, accessibility, version control, and audit readiness.
• Oversee PDLM integration and tool deployment to streamline data management, change control, and lifecycle traceability.
• Serve as a primary interface across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, program, and external customers to align configuration strategies with product development, production, and customer requirements.
• Provide regular communication to stakeholders on configuration status, risks, changes, and impacts.
• Develop and execute quality assurance and audit processes to validate configuration data accuracy and compliance.
  Identify opportunities to improve configuration and engineering change processes to reduce cost, increase quality, and improve operational efficiency.
• Document and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide configuration management expertise in product development, new product quoting, tooling, first article development, and build process definition.
• Deliver training and guidance on configuration management principles and PDLM practices.
• Stay current on aerospace industry trends and best practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal and external customers and team members.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical) or related technical discipline; equivalent aerospace configuration management experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 5+ in aerospace configuration management, with a focus on PDLM incorporation experience in the manufacturing engineering-configuration field
• In-depth knowledge of industry standards such as AS9100 /AS13100 and regulatory requirements related to aerospace configuration control (i.e. ANSI/EIA-649 or equivalent).
• Experience with PDLM (Windchill PDM Link) tools and systems, with a track record of successful implementation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive collaboration.
• Able to accommodate up to 10% travel per business needs.
• U.S. Person per ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong Project Management Skills
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering , Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree is a plus.
• Configuration Management certification preferred.
• Six Sigma Training or Lean Manufacturing experience a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of scheduling and planning principles and tools
• Aerostructures (metallics and/or composites) experience preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced experience utilizing tools such as MRP systems, CATIA/ENOVIA, MS Office Suite ((Word, Excel, Visio (or equivalent) PowerPoint and Project)
• Relentless and results driven performer with a Continuous Improvement mind-set.
• A dynamic individual with a high level of energy, a proactive self-starter who is confident and able to work independently.
• Proven capability to work independently in a range of different manufacturing environments.
• Superior interpersonal skills, delivers information clearly and factually Team worker with aptitude for mentoring and coaching.
• Demonstrates personal leadership skills; high performance behaviors, self-initiative, excellent work ethic, exercises good judgment, influencing, negotiation and collaboration.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ​
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