Job Title/Code: Configuration & Design Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Job Type: Full Time, Exempt
Location: Concord, CA (On-Site)
Position Summary:The Configuration & Design Engineer leads EMCORE's change control process, ensuring end-to-end visibility of change activity and accurate, traceable configuration information for all hardware and software products. Working with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams, this role releases parts, BOMs, and technical documentation through Windchill (PLM) and Infor Syteline (ERP) in a structured, consistent manner, and drives the development of unified configuration management processes across business units. The role is critical to product integrity and to scaling the organization efficiently and includes hands-on design engineering support for both next-generation product development and proven production hardware for precision inertial navigation products.
This in-office role is intended for the Quartz MEMS (QMEMS) facility in Concord, CA. However, we are open to filling this position at the Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) facility in Tinley Park, IL. (NOTE - the posted salary range reflects Concord, CA. If filled at Tinley Park, IL, the salary range will be adjusted accordingly). Regardless of office location, functional duties will support both Concord, CA and Tinley Park, IL sites. Occasional travel (
Key Responsibilities:- Develop, implement, and continuously improve common configuration management processes across the Concord QMEMS and Tinley Park FOG business units.
- Act as the change management liaison between design, supply chain, production, test, and quality teams, providing technical support and coordinating change implementation.
- Own the change control process end to end lead Change Control Board (CCB) meetings, assess change impact, and review, approve, and control changes to product configurations.
- Process engineering Change Requests (CRs) and engineering Change Notices (CNs), deviations, and waivers.
- Manage release repositories and the release of hardware and software changes, keeping the current bill of materials for each product synchronized between Windchill (PLM) and Infor Syteline (ERP).
- Configure and maintain PLM change workflows that route changes for stakeholder approval.
- Control configuration documentation for hardware and software configuration items, including 2D/3D CAD models and drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
- Assign and control part, drawing, and document numbers; manage documentation releases and product baselines.
- Identify and resolve configuration issues and conflicts.
- Ensure compliance with CM standards and regulations, including ITAR/EAR and CUI marking and handling for each technical data item.
- Plan and conduct configuration audits and support internal audits and AS9100/ISO 9001 quality system reviews.
- Maintain compliance with product record retention policies.
- Manage the approved vendor / manufacturer part number database in Windchill.
- Manage PLM software licenses and renewals; ensure team access to tools.
- Implement and maintain obsolescence management tools or systems.
- Support creation and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and/or software design artifacts.
- Develop and implement design changes that resolve component obsolescence, manufacturability, and production issues, from root cause through release.
- Participate in design reviews and drawing checks to confirm designs are complete, producible, and ready for release.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years of configuration management, document control, or PLM administration experience with hardware and software products in a regulated industry (e.g., aerospace, defense, automotive, medical), including engineering change control, release, and configuration status accounting.
- Hands-on experience with PLM systems (e.g., Windchill, ProductCenter) and MRP/ERP systems.
- Hands-on experience with CAD part and assembly design (e.g., CREO (PTC), SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
- Strong understanding of configured BOMs, product genealogy, and serial and lot number traceability.
- Experience with component obsolescence resolution or sustaining engineering in a production environment.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with demonstrated critical thinking and the ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings, drive alignment across cross-functional teams, manage multiple priorities, and give and receive constructive feedback.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship (U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident).
Preferred Qualifications:- Background in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability products and quality standards (e.g., AS9100 and ISO 9001).
- Experience with SiliconExpert or similar component lifecycle tools.
- Experience with software configuration management and build verification (e.g., Bitbucket/Git, checksum validation).
This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. EMCORE reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
COMPENSATION:The salary range for this position is $115,000 - $155,000, depending on the candidate's experience, skill set, and overall qualifications.