Position Title: Configuration Manager, Autonomous Systems

Location: Irvine, CA

Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Summary

The Configuration Manager owns the configuration management strategy, governance, and execution for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across design, production, and operational lifecycles. This role establishes and enforces CM policies, defines configuration baselines, leads change control processes, and ensures traceability between engineering, manufacturing, and deployed systems. The Configuration Manager plays a critical role in scaling the organization from prototype-heavy development to disciplined, production-oriented operations.

Required Duties and Responsibilities:

• Define, implement, and maintain company-wide configuration management processes, standards, and procedures.
• Establish and manage configuration baselines for hardware, software, firmware, ground systems, and documentation.
• Lead the Configuration Control Board (CCB), including change review, decision documentation, and implementation tracking.
• Oversee Engineering Change Management (ECR/ECN) processes and ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Ensure end-to-end traceability from design release through manufacturing, deployment, and field operations.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to support production readiness and system integrity.
• Own configuration audits, compliance readiness, and configuration status accounting.
• Select, administer, and continuously improve CM tools and workflows (PLM, PDM, document control systems).
• Mentor and oversee Configuration Analysts and/or Document Control personnel.
• Support regulatory, customer, and internal requirements related to configuration control.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in configuration management for productionized electro-mechanical systems such as UAVs, avionics, automotive platforms, or similar complex hardware-software products.
• Demonstrated experience owning configuration management in complex hardware and software systems.
• Strong understanding of CM principles, including configuration identification, control, status accounting, and audits.
• Experience leading engineering change processes and cross-functional change control boards.
• Proven ability to define and enforce CM policies in fast-moving engineering organizations.
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems and release-to-production workflows.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, scaling environments

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Direct experience supporting production ramp-up and configuration control of fielded electro-mechanical systems (UAVs, avionics, automotive, robotics, etc.).
• Experience supporting production ramp-ups or scaling manufacturing operations.
• Background in aerospace, UAS, defense, or other regulated industries.
• Familiarity with AS9100, DO-178/254, or similar compliance frameworks.
• Experience integrating PLM with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience managing configuration for deployed fleets or operational systems.
• Prior people leadership or functional ownership experience.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree or formal configuration management training/certification is a plus.

Clearance Level Required: None

Export Control / ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information and technology subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As a result, employment is contingent upon meeting applicable export control eligibility requirements and compliance obligations.

Travel Required: Yes, up to 10%.

Working Conditions:

The diversity of work conditions may range from an environment where there is little or no physical discomfort, such as a general office environment, to warehouse and other facilities.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Must have the ability to stop, stand, climb, occasionally lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Involves movement between departments, floors, and worksites to facilitate work.

Work Authorization Requirement:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Salary: $121,000 - 158,000 annually

Salary depends on relevant work experience, education, training, essential skills, and/or other factors such as specialized or high-demand professions. In addition to the annual salary, the position will be eligible for an annual bonus. The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of salary or annual bonus.

Benefits:

Our benefits are DZYNE'ed for your overall health and financial wellness. DZYNE offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package. Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits are fully covered by DZYNE. DZYNE provides paid time off and paid holidays. Additionally, DZYNE offers a 401 (k) plan with an employer match and immediate vesting.

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Pay Range: $121,000 - $158,000 per year