Configuration Engineering Manager - Defence

Experis; City Of London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Configuration Engineering Lead to oversee configuration capability within a critical defence environment. Responsibilities include managing a team, developing capability strategy, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate has a degree in engineering, significant experience in configuration management, and proven leadership skills. UK Security Clearance eligibility is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in configuration management within defence, aerospace, or maritime sectors.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and manage technical teams.
• Strong understanding of configuration principles across the product lifecycle from development to in-service support.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small team of configuration engineers, fostering a culture of safety, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Identify skill gaps, plan capability growth, and ensure appropriate tools and training.
• Ensure that projects are staffed with appropriately skilled personnel to meet quality, cost, and schedule targets.
• Act as the configuration lead on complex programmes, overseeing planning and execution.

Skills

Configuration management

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Resource planning

Compliance and governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Configuration Engineering Lead - Defence Sector

Are you a seasoned engineering professional with a background in configuration management, ready to take on a leadership role in a mission-critical defence environment?

We're seeking a Configuration Engineering Lead to oversee and develop our configuration capability within a high-integrity defence operating unit. This role is pivotal in ensuring functional excellence, team leadership, and strategic alignment with broader engineering goals. You'll work closely with senior engineering leadership and act as the primary contact for all things configuration.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Team Leadership & Development: Manage a small team of configuration engineers (approx. 2-5), fostering a culture of safety, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Capability Strategy: Identify skill gaps, plan capability growth, and ensure the team is equipped with the right tools and training.
• Resource Planning: Balance resource supply with project demand, including recruitment and external partnerships.
• Functional Delivery: Ensure projects are staffed with appropriately skilled personnel and that outputs meet quality, cost, and schedule targets.
• Project Involvement: Act as the configuration lead on complex programmes, overseeing planning, execution, and delivery.
• Governance & Compliance: Review technical documentation, ensure adherence to standards, and contribute to internal audits and assessments.
• Process Ownership: Collaborate with technical leadership to evolve and maintain configuration processes and practices.
• Tool & Asset Management: Maintain and enhance the toolset used by the configuration function.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Build strong relationships across engineering and programme teams to support delivery and promote the value of configuration.
• Strategic Contribution: Support the development and execution of engineering strategies, particularly those involving configuration initiatives.

What We're Looking For:

• Degree-qualified in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in configuration management within defence, aerospace, or maritime sectors.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and regulations (e.g. Defence Standard 05-057).
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and manage technical teams.
• Strong understanding of configuration principles across the product lifecycle-from development through to in-service support.
• Experience creating and implementing configuration plans and processes aligned to regulatory and customer requirements.

Security Clearance:

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC level).