Configuration Management, Manager

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.

Job Summary

The Configuration Management Specialist 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 Management Specialist will support operational and development Programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilizing superior engineering and problem-solving skills. The Configuration Management Specialist 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

Configuration Management

• Own and administer the Change Control Board (CCB) process for assigned programs, ensuring all changes are reviewed, authorized, documented, and controlled across the full program lifecycle.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate CCB activities, including meeting preparation, cross-functional participation, action tracking, and decision documentation.
• Review, log, and manage change requests, assign ownership, and ensure evaluation against program, contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Lead cross-functional impact assessments covering cost, schedule, tooling, labor, supply chain, and product configuration.
• Ensure governance compliance by verifying that no change is implemented without the appropriate documented approval.
• Maintain accurate, auditable configuration and change records with full traceability of decisions, owners, and status.
• Control changes affecting product definition, requirements, purchase orders, contracts, and supply chain to maintain alignment between technical and commercial commitments.
• Provide consolidated change status, risk visibility, and reporting to Program Directors and Program Managers.
• Ensure compliance with site, corporate, and industry standards including MIL STD 973, EIA 649, and ISO IEC 15288, maintaining audit readiness.

PLM Integration

• Integrate Product Data Lifecycle Management principles within the configuration management framework.
• Support and sponsor implementation of PLM tools and processes to improve data integrity, version control, and change efficiency.

Documentation and Data Qualit

• Establish and maintain controlled configuration documentation, baselines, and version control.
• Execute configuration data quality audits and compliance assessments.
• Ensure accuracy and alignment of EBOM and MBOM, including conditions of supply and approved substitutes.

Quality, Training, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute configuration quality assurance processes and audits.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, programs, quality, and supply chain to ensure correct implementation of released engineering.
• Lead configuration and process improvement initiatives to reduce cost, improve quality, and increase operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 5+years of experience in aerospace configuration management, with exposure to manufacturing or engineering configuration.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, MIL-STD-973 / EIA-649, and aerospace regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively across functions.
• Able to accomodate up to 10% of travel in this role per business needs
• U.S. Person as defined by ITAR.

Preferred Qualifications

• Configuration Management certification preferred.
• Project management capability; familiarity with scheduling and planning tools.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience.
• Aerostructures experience (metallics and/or composites).
• Intermediate to advanced experience with PDLM/MRP systems (e.g., CATIA/ENOVIA) and MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Project).
• Proven continuous-improvement mindset with strong personal leadership, judgment, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Self-starter with a results-driven, high-energy approach and strong professional work ethic.

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.