
Manager Systems Engineering - Configuration Management 3 (AHT)
Required skills
- Secret clearance
- Configuration Management
- Product Data Management
- Engineering Change Management
- PLM
- PDM
- ERP
- MRP
- Teamcenter
- Windchill
Nice to have
- Aerospace
- Defense
- EVM
- Earned Value Management
- Basis of Estimates
- Hardware/Software Systems
Role summary
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. This role is responsible for enabling disciplined change management and timely product delivery by partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality. Key responsibilities include establishing and improving CM plans and processes, owning the configuration baseline, overseeing change control and audits, ensuring accurate configuration data in PLM/PDM and ERP/MRP systems, and managing the EBOM to MBOM alignment. The manager will also develop and track CM metrics, support audits, and prepare leadership reports. The role requires direct supervision of 16-18 professionals and involves staffing, training, and performance management.
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is looking for a Manager Systems Engineering - Configuration Management 3 to lead a team of Configuration Analysts, Data Managers, Technical Writers, and Engineering Liaisons. The CM Manager partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to enable disciplined change management and timely product delivery. This role is required to be 100% on site at our Northridge, CA location.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of professionals, including workload planning, performance management, mentoring, and skills development.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve CM plans, processes, and work instructions for assigned programs.
- Own the configuration baseline (functional, allocated, and product) and ensure accurate, timely incorporation of changes into the product structure and documentation.
- Oversee configuration identification, change control, configuration status accounting, and configuration audits (FCAs/PCAs as applicable).
- Support the program office with Change Control Boards (CCBs) / Configuration Control Boards (CCBs) and ensure changes are evaluated for cost, schedule, technical risk, and downstream impacts.
- Ensure accurate and current configuration data in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) / Product Data Management (PDM) tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill) and related systems Enterprise Resource Planning /Material Resource Planning (ERP/MRP) to include Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) parts as applicable.
- Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Contracts, and Program Management to ensure configuration baselines support build, test, and delivery schedules.
- Manage Engineering Bill of Material (EBOM) to Manufacturing Bill of Material cleansing/alignment.
- Develop and track CM metrics (e.g., change cycle time, data quality, audit findings) to drive continuous improvement.
- Support internal and external audits and customer reviews; ensure CM records and evidence are complete, accurate, and readily retrievable.
- Able to apply and ensure CM practices comply with contractual requirements, statement-of-work (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 Tech Writers adhere to Technical Writing Review Checklist when reviewing program documents routing through the PLM System
- Maturing Engineering Liaison role to build collaboration and efficiency between Configuration Management and other functional roles
Management Scope
- Directly supervises approximately 16-18 configuration management, data management and technical writing professionals.
- Responsible for staffing, training, performance management, recognition, and discipline within the team.
- Manages team workload, priorities, and commitments across multiple programs, ensuring alignment with functional expectations and program needs.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical, Business, or related field and 8 years of relevant configuration management, product data management, or engineering experience; or a Master’s degree with 6 years of experience; or an additional 4 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
- Prior functional management experience, ideally in an aerospace/defense environment.
- Prior experience in configuration management, engineering change management, product data management, or closely related discipline in an aerospace/defense or similar complex hardware/software environment.
- Hands-on experience establishing, improving, and executing CM/DM processes (baselines, change control, configuration status accounting) for hardware and/or software.
- Hands-on experience with establishing, collecting, and analyzing metrics to make data driven decisions that drive process efficacy and efficiency.
- Working knowledge of CM principles and practices, including configuration identification, change control, configuration status accounting, and configuration audits IAW relevant standards and practices (e.g., EIA 649)
- Experience using PLM/PDM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill, 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge of relevant standards and practices (e.g., EIA 649 or equivalent CM standards, MIL STD / industry documentation standards).
- Demonstrated 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 proven ability to interface effectively with engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and program management.
- In-depth knowledge of configuration management standards and best practices (e.g., EIA-649) and quality frameworks (e.g., AS9100, CMMI).
- Experience planning and conducting functional and physical configuration audits (FCA/PCA).
- Experience generating basis of estimates for configuration and data management content.
- Hands-on experience with PLM/PDM tools such as [Teamcenter/Windchill/Other] 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.
Sample Northrop Grumman interview questions
- 1
Can you discuss the role of reusability and scalability in UVM's verification approach?
technicalmedium - 2
Can you detail the function of a register table within embedded system design?
technicalmedium - 3
Could you outline how virtual memory is implemented in embedded systems and its advantages?
system designmedium - 4
Can you discuss the role and functionality of a watchdog timer?
system designmedium - 5
What is your understanding of polymorphism in SystemVerilog?
technicalmedium
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