Data Manager - SC Cleared

CBS Butler; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

CBS Butler is seeking an experienced Data Manager to join a defence and aerospace programme in a hybrid role based in Luton. The role focuses on governance, protection and lifecycle management of critical programme data.

You will work with Configuration, Engineering, Quality and Programme teams to identify, control and trace data, ensuring secure access and compliance with data management plans and export controls.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Data Management within Defence, Aerospace or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of data life cycle management, document control and information governance.
• Experience working to Data Management Plans (DMPs) and organisational procedures.
• Experience handling sensitive, classified or export-controlled information.

Responsibilities

• Deliver data management activities in line with approved Data Management Plans (DMPs).
• Ensure engineering and programme data is correctly identified, structured, versioned and approved.
• Maintain accurate data status, visibility and traceability across programme datasets.
• Ensure approved data is made available to internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Implement data management policies, standards and procedures in line with organisational governance.
• Ensure programme data management activities meet contractual, regulatory and security requirements.
• Support the creation, tailoring and ongoing maintenance of programme DMPs.
• Monitor compliance with DMP requirements and identify and address deviations.

Skills

Data Management

Defence/Aerospace data

Regulated environments

Data lifecycle management

Information governance

Data security principles

Export controls

Job description

Data Manager - Defence & AerospaceLocation: Hybrid - Luton
Contract: 12 months
Rate: £45-£48 per hour (Inside IR35)
Clearance: SC Cleared

We are seeking an experienced Data Manager to join a high-profile defence and aerospace programme based in Luton. This is a 12-month contract offering the opportunity to work within a highly regulated, engineering-focused environment, supporting the effective management, control and governance of critical programme data throughout its life cycle.

You will play a key role in ensuring engineering and programme data is accurately identified, controlled, protected, versioned and traceable, working closely with Configuration, Engineering, Quality and Programme teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver data management activities in line with approved Data Management Plans (DMPs).
• Ensure engineering and programme data is correctly identified, structured, versioned and approved.
• Maintain accurate data status, visibility and traceability across programme datasets.
• Ensure approved data is made available to internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Implement data management policies, standards and procedures in line with organisational governance.
• Ensure programme data management activities meet contractual, regulatory and security requirements.
• Support the creation, tailoring and ongoing maintenance of programme DMPs.
• Monitor compliance with DMP requirements and identify and address deviations.
• Maintain data integrity across document management and data management systems.
• Ensure correct application of naming conventions, metadata, version control and life cycle states.
• Support integration between data management and configuration management systems.
• Apply appropriate security classification, protective marking and export control requirements.
• Ensure appropriate access controls and permissions are in place.
• Support internal, customer and regulatory audits, providing data management evidence and metrics.
• Support the resolution of audit findings and corrective actions.
• Support data management activities throughout the full product life cycle, from design and development through to production, in-service support, modification and obsolescence.
• Support key programme and release milestones by ensuring data is complete, accurate and appropriately approved.
• Identify risks, issues and non-compliances and escalation where appropriate.
• Work closely with Configuration, Engineering, Quality and Programme teams.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentoring to Data Management Engineers.
• Identify opportunities to improve data management processes, systems and ways of working.
• Contribute to lessons learned and best-practice development across programmes.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in Data Management within Defence, Aerospace or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of data life cycle management, document control and information governance.
• Experience working to Data Management Plans (DMPs) and organisational procedures.
• Experience handling sensitive, classified or export-controlled information.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Understanding of data security principles, with a willingness to develop knowledge of cryptographic data security.
• Confident working within structured, regulated and compliance-driven environments.

Desirable Experience

• Experience integrating Data Management with Configuration and Change Management.
• Knowledge of airworthiness, safety-critical systems or certification environments.
• Familiarity with PLM and document management systems.
• Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews and corrective actions.
• Experience working across complex engineering or defence programmes.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Delivery-focused and dependable
• Methodical and highly detail-oriented
• Comfortable working within regulated and security-conscious environments
• A confident communicator and effective collaborator
• Proactive in identifying risks and opportunities for improvement
• Able to work effectively with engineering, configuration and programme stakeholders

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Data Manager/Data Management Engineer to work on a significant defence and aerospace programme, with exposure to complex engineering data, configuration environments and highly regulated processes.