Configuration Manager - Manufacturing Operations

Title: Configuration Manager - Manufacturing Operations
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don't just believe in the power of people-we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen powered drones, we've earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust, and a shared commitment to excellence. We know that great organizations are built by extraordinary teams. That's why we invest in your professional growth, offering robust training programs, leadership development opportunities, and a clear pathway for advancement. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact.
Role Summary: The Configuration Manager - Manufacturing Operations is responsible for ensuring disciplined implementation of engineering configuration within manufacturing. Engineering configuration authority, design baselines, and drawing/model release ownership are managed by Engineering in Bingen, WA. This role ensures that manufacturing operations in Sterling, Winchester and potentially other sites execute strictly to the approved Bingen-managed configuration baseline, with clear version control, serial traceability, and effectivity governance.


A key immediate priority is supporting the structured establishment of configuration baselines, version discipline, and building block governance as the organization transitions from early builds into structured production ramp. This role safeguards build integrity, prevents configuration drift, and enables scalable manufacturing execution.


Essential Responsibilities:

• Support structured definition of build baselines and block/version strategy.
• Align manufacturing execution to engineering configuration baselines managed in Bingen.
• Establish clear configuration status accounting (CSA) for active production.
• Ensure consistent revision control across ERP and PLM systems.
• Drive disciplined version control during ramp and scale.
• Ensure accurate implementation of ECNs released by Engineering in Bingen.
• Verify work orders reflect correct engineering revisions and applicable effectivity.
• Prevent unauthorized configuration deviations on the shop floor.
• Enforce serial- and lot-level effectivity control.
• Perform manufacturing impact analysis for engineering changes.
• Identify WIP and material exposure during revision transitions.
• Coordinate implementation timing with Production, Supply Chain, and Quality.
• Support disposition planning for superseded or affected materials.
• Maintain serial-level configuration tracking.
• Ensure build records align with approved engineering baseline.
• Support Quality during product release verification.
• Maintain configuration integrity within ERP and PLM systems.
• Maintain structured alignment with Engineering Management in Bingen.
• Participate in configuration and change governance reviews.
• Ensure manufacturing feedback is incorporated into configuration decisions.
• Support scalable configuration processes across manufacturing sites.

Qualifications & Experience :

• 7+ years of experience in aerospace, UAS, defense, or safety-critical configuration management. Experience implementing engineering baselines into manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience implementing engineering baselines within manufacturing and production environments.
• Strong working knowledge of configuration management principles, including:
• Engineering Change Notice (ECN) processes
• Revision and version control practices
• Effectivity management
• Serial-level traceability and product configuration tracking
• Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and/or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems to manage product configuration and data.
• Proven experience operating within production environments, supporting manufacturing configuration control beyond engineering-only development settings.
• Travel to Bingen, WA as needed.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience supporting transitions from Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to full-rate production ramp
• Experience aligning and maintaining configuration governance
• Experience working within regulated and/or contract-driven program environments
• Experience supporting formal configuration control and change board processes

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing/production floor environments.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer and reviewing technical documentation and configuration data.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during production floor reviews, audits, and configuration verification activities.
• Ability to visually inspect hardware, labels, serial numbers, and documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials or documentation weighing up to 20-25 pounds.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, scanners, and document management systems.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when accessing manufacturing or laboratory areas (e.g., safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection).
• Ability to access production areas that may involve stairs, ladders, or confined workspaces, as required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams in office and production environments.

Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.