Configuration Manager (Hardware & Manufacturing)

District Partners is engaged with a high-impact national security technology team seeking an experienced Hardware & Manufacturing Configuration Manager to support mission-critical programs in Northern Virginia. This role is 100% onsite and requires working independently in a high-volume production environment. An active U.S. Secret security clearance is required; Top Secret strongly preferred.

About the Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity for a proven Configuration Management (Hardware & Manufacturing) professional to lead end-to-end hardware configuration and change control for complex systems in a secure, high-tempo manufacturing environment. You'll be hands-on with PLM tools (Teamcenter or similar) and bring strong experience running configuration control boards, managing baseline data, and working across the full product lifecycle.

You'll play a key role in shaping digital engineering practices and ensuring robust configuration identification, control, status accounting, and audit processes for mission-critical hardware.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive configuration management plans for hardware and manufacturing programs.
• Define and document configuration identification processes for all product lifecycle stages.
• Own the configuration control process, including engineering release and change implementation.
• Facilitate and lead critical forums such as Change Control Boards (CCB) and Technical Review Boards (TRB).
• Maintain configuration status accounting dashboards and ensure accuracy of baseline data (EBOMs, MBOMs, SOMs, BOPs).
• Plan and conduct configuration audits (functional, physical) and resolve issues proactively.
• Support end-to-end change management: generate and manage ECRs and ECNs, impact analyses, approvals, and implementation checklists.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on PLM tools (Teamcenter or equivalent), guiding the team on best practices for engineering release and product data management.
• Oversee hardware product configuration compliance and conduct periodic audits of as-built records.

What You Bring:

Required:

• Active U.S. Secret clearance (Top Secret strongly preferred) that must be maintained.
• 7-10+ years of direct Configuration Management experience in a high-volume hardware production or manufacturing environment (aerospace, automotive, security systems, defense, medical devices, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with PLM systems such as Teamcenter, including administrative functions (or comparable PLM tool experience).
• Strong understanding of configuration management principles and practices (EIA649/C, MIL-HDBK-61B, or equivalent).
• Proven ability to run and facilitate configuration control forums and change boards.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with strong technical writing and communication abilities.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Nuclear, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.

Preferred:

• Experience migrating between Teamcenter systems and managing complex hardware data structures.
• CM2 or equivalent configuration management certification.
• Former military background and/or experience in high-rate hardware manufacturing environments.
• Database and SQL query skills a plus.
• Familiarity with tools like Confluence, JIRA, or other digital collaboration platforms.

Ideal Background:

This position is ideal for candidates with a manufacturing engineering or supply chain background who can thrive in a mission-driven, independent environment. The team values individuals who can operate with minimal oversight and take full ownership of critical hardware configuration management activities.

Location & Compensation:

• Location: Onsite in Northern Virginia (relocation assistance available for the right candidate).
• U.S. Salary Range: $142,000 - $213,000 + potential equity and comprehensive benefits.

District Partners is proud to support this strategic hire on behalf of our trusted client partner in the national security and advanced hardware technology space.

#CJ