Configuration Manager

Kratos Defense

Auburn Hills, MI

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
AS 9100, Accounting, Aerospace and Defense, Agile PDM, American Society for Quality (ASQ), CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Change Control, Change Management, Change Order Management, Communication Skills, Computer Firmware, Configuration Management, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Data Entry, Data Management, Data Quality, Deltek Costpoint, Detail Oriented, Document Control, Document Management, Documentation, Documentation Standards, ENOVIA, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Engineering Drawing, Establish Priorities, Functional Configuration Audit (FCA), ISO 9001, Internal Audit, Machine Tool, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Bill of Materials (mBOM), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Military/DoD Standards, Multitasking, Network Routers, Operations Management, Oracle, Organizational Skills, Outsourcing, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Physical Configuration Audit (PCA), Physical Demands, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Improvement, Process Management, Product Data Management (PDM), Product Documentation, Product Engineering, Product Lifecycle, Product Lifecycle Management, Project/Program Management, Reconciliation, Record Keeping, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Reporting Dashboards, SAP, SolidWorks, Source Code/Configuration Management (SCM), Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Support Documentation, Teamcenter, Technical Leadership, Technical Writing, Test Data, Testing, Time Management, Traceability, United States Citizen, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Willing to Travel, Windchill PLM Software, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Auburn Hills, MI
POSTED
1 day ago

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Configuration Manager is responsible for executing and maintaining the companys configuration and document control processes to ensure product definition, engineering changes, documentation, and baselines remain complete, accurate, and fully traceable throughout the product life cycle.

This role supports the planning, implementation, and continual improvement of all five Configuration Management functions - Configuration Management Planning & Management, Configuration Identification, Configuration Change Management, Configuration Status Accounting, and Configuration Verification & Audit as defined by EIA-649C and GEIA-HB-649A / MIL-HDBK-61B, including contributing to the TDI Configuration Management Plan and related procedures across hardware, software, firmware, and associated documentation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Configuration Management Planning & Governance

  • Supports development, maintenance, and periodic revision of the TDI Configuration Management Plan and CM procedures in alignment with EIA-649C, GEIA-HB-649A, and MIL-HDBK-61B.
  • Defines, monitors, and reports CM performance metrics (e.g., change cycle time, CSA data quality, audit findings) to drive continuous improvement.
  • Ensures CM roles, responsibilities, and decision authorities are clearly understood and followed across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

Configuration Identification

  • Ensures configuration items including hardware, software, firmware, and documentation are uniquely identified, structured, and baselined per CM standards.
  • Maintains accurate as-designed, as-planned, as-built, and as-delivered configuration documentation across PLM/PDM, QMS, and ERP systems.
  • Ensures proper release, version control, and digital data integrity for drawings, models, specifications, and technical documents.

Configuration Change Management

  • Executes the end-to-end configuration change management process (ECR/ECO/Deviation/Concession), ensuring complete, accurate, and timely documentation.
  • Prepares and maintains all CCB documentation, facilitates CCB meetings as needed, tracks approvals, and ensures controlled implementation of approved changes.
  • Publishes and maintains the Master Schedule of Changes, communicating impacts to Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Programs.
  • Verifies incorporation of changes into released documentation, manufacturing routers, BOMs, tooling, and inspection criteria.

Configuration Status Accounting (CSA)

  • Administers the Configuration Status Accounting database to maintain authoritative records of configuration baselines, change status, serial-number traceability, and audit results.
  • Ensures CSA outputs (reports, dashboards, as-built records, status updates) are accurate, timely, and accessible to all stakeholders, including customer and DCMA representatives.
  • Supports reconciliation of as-designed, as-built, and as-delivered configurations for internal, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Configuration Verification & Audit (FCA/PCA)

  • Plans, supports, and documents Configuration Verification & Audit activities, including Functional Configuration Audits (FCA) and Physical Configuration Audits (PCA).
  • Verifies that product configuration documentation accurately reflects the manufactured product and that approved changes are fully incorporated.
  • Supports customer, DCMA, and internal audits related to Configuration Management, QMS compliance, and documentation control.

Document Control & Technical Data Management

  • Maintains the technical data library and ensures controlled release, revision control, and secure retention of engineering documents, test data, specifications, and records.
  • Applies digital thread principles to maintain traceability across PLM, PDM, ERP, QMS, and program documentation repositories.
  • Ensures compliance with data requirements (CDRLs/SDRLs), ITAR/EAR controls, and customer-specific documentation standards.

Supplier & Subcontractor CM Oversight

  • Supports the flow-down of CM requirements to suppliers and subcontractors, including change control, documentation deliverables, and data configuration rules.
  • Reviews supplier-submitted data for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with TDI configuration baselines.
  • Coordinates variance requests, supplier deviations, and engineering change impacts affecting supply chain or outsourced work.

Training, Communication & Cross-Functional Support

  • Provides CM and document control training to engineering, operations, quality, and program personnel.
  • Serves as a cross-functional liaison, ensuring clarity and adherence to CM processes during design, production, test, and sustainment activities.
  • Drives CM process discipline to protect configuration integrity throughout the product lifecycle.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

  • No direct reports.
  • Achieves results through cross-functional coordination, enforcing process compliance, and maintaining configuration control discipline across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.

Keyword: configuration management, document control, change management, PLM, PDM, ERP, baseline management, CSA, audits, EIA-649C, aerospace, engineering changes, ITAR, CM plan
Required Experience:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Required:

  • Working knowledge of configuration management fundamentals, documentation control, revision control, and baseline management.
  • Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, parts lists, specifications, and engineering change documentation.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and accuracy in data entry and record management.
  • Ability to coordinate and interface effectively with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Program Management, Supply Chain, and external customers.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to maintain confidential and export-controlled information in accordance with company, DoD, and ITAR/EAR requirements.

Preferred:

  • Experience with PLM/PDM Systems (Agile, Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena, Enovia, SOLIDWORKS PDM).
  • Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Costpoint preferred; SAP or Oracle acceptable).
  • Knowledge of AS9100D, EIA-649, ISO 9001, MIL-STD CM requirements, and configuration audit practices.
  • Prior configuration management experience in aerospace, defense, or manufacturing environment.
  • Understanding of CAD workflows (3D/2D data handling) and engineering release processes.
  • CMII certification or ASQ certifications (CQA, CMQ/OE) desired.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

  • Associate degree in Business, Engineering Technology, Quality, or related discipline.
  • Minimum 5 years of configuration management, document control, or change control experience in an aerospace, defense, or manufacturing environment.
  • U.S. Citizenship required. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance may be required.

Preferred:

  • Bachelors degree in a technical or business discipline.
  • Experience supporting DoD programs, CDRLs/SDRLs, or customer-specific configuration control requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Office or manufacturing and field environment
  • May work extended hours or weekends occasionally to complete tasks and meet schedule
  • Ability to occasionally travel domestically/internationally
  • May work in manufacturing and/or field environments with potential exposure to uncontrolled climate conditions and potential exposure to noise, dust and hazardous chemicals
  • Ability to perform repetitive motion (computer work, phones)
  • Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
  • May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with TDI General Safety Training guidelines.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • 0-25% May be required between other Kratos locations

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALSASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT AREINCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

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From: Kratos Defense

About the Company

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Kratos Defense