Senior Configuration Engineer

Location: Luton (20% onsite)
Duration: 12-month contract
(Inside IR35)

Role details:
Our client is seeking a Senior Configuration Engineer to support complex defence and aerospace programmes in Luton. This contract role will provide technical leadership across configuration management, change control, governance and audit readiness, with approximately 20% onsite working required. The initial contract duration is 12 months and the role operates inside IR35.

• Define and implement configuration management strategies in line with organisational policy, contractual requirements and defence and aerospace standards.
• Own and maintain Configuration Management Plans, ensuring effective coverage of configuration items, baselines, change control, status accounting, audits and tool usage.
• Lead the identification and control of hardware, software and firmware configuration items throughout the product lifecycle.
• Govern end-to-end change control using TCU, including supporting Change Control Boards and managing Class I and Class II changes.
• Oversee concessions, deviations, waivers and temporary changes, ensuring appropriate approval, traceability, verification and re-baselining.
• Act as the senior subject-matter expert for TCU, promoting data integrity, access control, security classification and export control compliance.
• Prepare configuration status accounting, metrics and management reports, while supporting internal, customer and regulatory audits.
• Work with engineering, systems, quality, safety, manufacturing, supply chain and programme teams, providing guidance and mentoring on configuration management practices.

• Significant experience in configuration and change control within defence, aerospace or another highly regulated industry.
• Proven experience authoring and maintaining Configuration Management Plans.
• Strong knowledge of configuration management principles, baseline control and Class I and Class II change classification.
• Extensive experience using TCU or a similar configuration and change control tool.
• Experience supporting audits and regulatory engagement, with an understanding of standards such as DEF STAN 05-057.
• Experience working with classified and export-controlled information, including ITAR and EAR requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical ability, leadership skills and confidence when influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience with complex systems incorporating hardware, software and firmware would be advantageous, as would knowledge of airworthiness, safety-critical systems or PLM tools such as Windchill, Teamcenter or Dimensions.