Manager Systems Engineering - Configuration Management 3 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman • Los Angeles, CA

10d • $193,000 - $289,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Manager Systems Engineering - Configuration Management 3 to lead a team of Configuration Analysts, Data Managers, Technical Writers, and Engineering Liaisons. The manager partners with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to support disciplined change management and timely product delivery. This position is 100% onsite in Northridge, California and requires an active Secret clearance. Travel is 10%. Relocation assistance may be available.

The role leads and develops approximately 16–18 configuration management, data management, and technical writing professionals. It is responsible for staffing, training, performance management, recognition, discipline, and coordinating workloads and commitments across multiple programs. The manager owns configuration baselines and oversees configuration identification, change control, status accounting, and audits. The position also maintains CM processes and plans, supports change control boards and audits, ensures accurate data in PLM/PDM and ERP/MRP systems, and reports status, risks, and issues to leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical, Business, or a related field and 8 years of relevant configuration management, product data management, or engineering experience; alternatively, a Master’s degree and 6 years of experience, or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Prior functional management experience, ideally in an aerospace or defense environment.
• Experience in configuration management, engineering change management, product data management, or a closely related discipline in an aerospace/defense or similarly complex hardware/software environment.
• Hands-on experience establishing, improving, and executing CM/DM processes, including baselines, change control, and configuration status accounting, for hardware and/or software.
• Hands-on experience establishing, collecting, and analyzing metrics to support data-driven decisions and improve process efficacy and efficiency.
• Working knowledge of CM principles and practices, including configuration identification, change control, configuration status accounting, and configuration audits in accordance with relevant standards and practices such as EIA 649.
• Experience using PLM/PDM tools such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or Enovia and associated ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a schedule-driven environment.
• Active government-issued Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of relevant standards and practices such as EIA 649 or equivalent CM standards and MIL-STD or industry documentation standards.
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of material (BOMs).
• Experience managing or supervising a CM, PDM, or engineering data management team, ideally in an aerospace/defense environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to interface effectively with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management.
• In-depth knowledge of configuration management standards and best practices such as EIA-649 and quality frameworks such as AS9100 and CMMI.
• Experience planning and conducting functional and physical configuration audits (FCA/PCA).
• Experience generating basis-of-estimate content for configuration and data management.
• Hands-on experience with PLM/PDM tools, including data model understanding and workflow configuration.
• Experience supporting complex hardware-software systems, multi-site programs, or production environments with high change volume.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) concepts, program performance metrics, and cost/schedule integration.
• Demonstrated success driving process improvement initiatives and implementing new tools or workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Configuration Analysts, Data Managers, Technical Writers, and Engineering Liaisons, including workload planning, performance management, mentoring, and skills development.
• Manage staffing, training, performance management, recognition, and discipline for approximately 16–18 professionals.
• Manage team workloads, priorities, and commitments across multiple programs, aligning functional expectations with program needs.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve configuration management plans, processes, and work instructions for assigned programs.
• Own functional, allocated, and product configuration baselines and ensure changes are incorporated accurately and promptly into product structures and documentation.
• Oversee configuration identification, change control, configuration status accounting, and functional and physical configuration audits as applicable.
• Support program Change Control Boards and ensure proposed changes are evaluated for cost, schedule, technical risk, and downstream impacts.
• Ensure accurate and current configuration data in PLM/PDM tools and related ERP/MRP systems, including applicable COTS parts.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Contracts, and Program Management to align configuration baselines with build, test, and delivery schedules.
• Manage alignment and cleansing of the Engineering Bill of Material (EBOM) to the Manufacturing Bill of Material.
• Develop and track CM metrics, including change cycle time, data quality, and audit findings, to drive continuous improvement.
• Support internal and external audits and customer reviews; maintain complete, accurate, and retrievable CM records and evidence.
• Apply CM practices in compliance with contractual requirements, SOW commitments, and applicable standards.
• Identify and implement process and tool improvements to increase CM efficiency, data integrity, and user experience.
• Prepare and deliver CM status, risks, and issues to program and functional leadership.
• Ensure CDRLs are scheduled and delivered on time and weekly and monthly reporting is accurate.
• Ensure Technical Writers follow the Technical Writing Review Checklist when reviewing program documents routed through the PLM system.
• Mature the Engineering Liaison role to improve collaboration and efficiency between Configuration Management and other functional roles.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager