Manager, Configuration Management (CM)

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Job Type: Full-time

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Director of Engineering

Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company. With a focus on supplying advanced SONAR solutions for the US Navy, our technical expertise, customized design capabilities and diverse manufacturing abilities have led to Sonatech products being deployed in virtually every class of underwater Navy system currently in operation.

Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, we pride ourselves on having a culture of innovation as well as first-class customer service. Sonatech has a challenging and rewarding work environment where employees have the opportunity to develop their careers by taking on new responsibilities and providing innovative solutions.

Job Description

The Manager, Configuration Management is a strategic and technical leader responsible for the development, execution, and continuous improvement of Sonatech's Configuration Management (CM) processes. This role ensures integrity of the entire product lifecycle; definition, design, test, production, maintenance, and retirement.

As a key member of the company leadership team, the Configuration Manager provides cross-functional guidance, drives process and system improvements, and serves as the primary representative of the Configuration Management function to senior leadership, customers, and regulatory authorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and oversight of Sonatech's CM policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with company, customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as CM subject matter expert.
• Partner with engineering, program management, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure consistent application of CM practices across all projects and product lines.
• Oversee evaluation and implementation of new tools and processes.
• Ensure full traceability between engineering design data, part numbers, and product configurations throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead Product Change Control Board. CCB reviews and approves; document releases, Engineering Change Orders, and other product configuration changes.
• Evaluate the CM process efficiency and lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date configuration data within the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and ensure the integrity and traceability of all records.
• Plan and conduct Configuration Audits to verify compliance between product design, documentation, and as-built items.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits related to configuration management and change control.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in engineering configuration management or product data management.
• Proficiency with configuration management systems (e.g. PDM, ERP, MRP).
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage competing priorities, and influence senior leaders, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities.
• Strong understanding of engineering documentation, change control/version management systems, and production control systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Skills

• Certification in Configuration Management (e.g., CMII, CMPIC, INCOSE).
• Experience in a DoD or Aerospace industry.
• Understanding of CUI and ITAR compliance.

Required Citizenship and Security Clearance

• US Citizenship is required

Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental and vision, life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, 3% 401K contribution (no matching required), company events.

Sonatech is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Type: Full-time, Onsite

Pay range: $130,000 - $185,000