Configuration and Data Manager

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Configuration and Data Manager

Location: Crawley  

Hybrid working (Minimum 3 days at office)

Are you an inquisitive individual that has a passion for configuration management and integration? Do you have an interest in System Engineering? Are you looking for your next challenge with the opportunity to work within a highly regarded team that will support with your learning and development? Then look no further..

What the role has to offer:

• The opportunity to join a world-class company of 80,000 employees and with operations in 68 countries.
• Working with a supportive and friendly team.
• Being in a role that is analytical and organisationally driven.
• The opportunity for development and progression at all levels of the organisation and the support to succeed wherever you want to take your career in the future.

Our Opportunity

We have a great opportunity for a Configuration and Data Manager to join the Thales Flight Avionics (FLX) engineering team. FLX (Flight Avionics) Engineering is a dedicated engineering group aligned to the FLX Business.

As a Configuration and Data Manager within Flight Avionics, you will have the opportunity to work with a team of engineers focused on the development, delivery and support of products and programmes to a wide variety of customers in the aerospace sector; covering both the Civil and Military domains.

The Configuration and Data Manager is responsible for the tailoring and the realisation of the Configuration Management Systems against the contractual and market requirements within their perimeter.

They are responsible and accountable for the consistency of the configuration information. They interface with various internal and external stakeholders. They may coordinate others Configuration Management Roles or delegate some activities to the Configuration Administration Roles for the concerned perimeter

Key tasks/Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate all the Configuration Management activities within your project(s) in collaboration with all the stakeholders, in particular the Project Managers (PMs), the Product or System Engineering Delivery Managers (EDMs), the Work Package Managers (WPMs) or the other CMs in the case of Delegated Lots
• Organise the Configuration Management activities and interface with the Project Managers on the planning and management aspects, taking into account:
  • The adaptation of the configuration management system, in compliance with the contractual requirements
  • The execution of the configuration management system within the project, in compliance with FLX Configuration Management requirements
  • The consistency and completeness of the project information in the PLM
• Establish and implement the Configuration Management Plan
• Specify the configuration management requirements to subcontractors and suppliers through statements of work
• Participate in the selection of configuration items and to the establishment of the various breakdown structures
• Ensure identification activities piloting and implementation (CI selection, breakdown structures identification, baseline needs...)
• Organise, lead and control the Configuration Control Board (both internal and external) as well as the pre and post CCB activities and relation communication
• Establish the configuration baselines (FBL, ABL, PBL, and according to project’s needs)
• Ensure the recording and the restitution of the configuration status
• Participate in end of phase reviews (SFR, PDR, CDR...)
• Perform configuration verifications
• Perform or participate in Functional and Physical configuration audits
• Raise awareness, advise and share best practices with the various contributors on the implementation of configuration management
• Support in the analysis of contractual requirements and the preparation of Configuration Management quotations during the bid phase

About You

• You will ideally have a degree in an engineering discipline, and you have proven experience in the field of configuration management
• Proven experience in the field of configuration management and have great knowledge of system integration principles (System, Hardware and Software)
• You master relevant tools like those related to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) like Windchill/Teamcenter etc,.
• You are able to adapt and assess the configuration management system as well as the contractual and commercial requirements within your scope
• You are able to manage complexity
• You foster continuous improvement and encourage a culture of feedback
• You are able to multi-task and prioritise without requiring regular direct supervision
• You will be someone who is process driven, analytical and detail oriented.
• You have the ability to establish and meet deadlines
• You understand the importance of data integrity
• You have knowledge in Hardware & Software CM practices and tools

Desirable:

• Previous Experience with configuration management in either defence or avionics organisations
• Experience in working to standards such as DEF Stan 05-57 and EIA-649
• Experience working with Windchill PLM software

Security Clearance statement  

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility:

Your health and well-being matter to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, hybrid working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Benefits at Thales:

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a benefits package, which includes;

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• Hybrid working
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Life Cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!