Sr. Configuration Management Specialist IV San Luis Obispo, California

Sr. Configuration Management Specialist IV

San Luis Obispo, California

At Zone 5 Technologies, we’re redefining what’s possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting‑edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology – solving complex challenges that matter.

We’re building the future of UAS capabilities, and we’re looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you’re driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next‑generation flight systems, you belong here.

Join our dynamic team as a Sr. Configuration Management Specialist to establish, execute, and govern configuration management across the product lifecycle. The Senior Configuration Management Specialist provides cross‑functional leadership, drives enterprise‑level process improvement, and actively influences program and functional leadership to mature Configuration Management capability, governance, and culture adoption; represents the government CDM function to senior leadership, customers, and external authorities.

This position operates with minimal supervision and partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Program Management to ensure configuration integrity from concept through development, production, and sustainment.

• Provides strategic leadership and direction for hardware and software configuration management, including lifecycle control, change governance, and cross‑discipline integration across programs and functional organizations.
• Leads and oversees configuration management support for proposals and program planning activities, including review of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Statement of Work (SOW) to define configuration management scope and work content, establish defensible Basis of Estimates (BOEs), and ensure CM activities across hardware and software are appropriately planned, resourced, and aligned with enterprise standards.
• Accountable for establishing and maturing organizational configuration management capability across programs and business areas by setting expectations and influencing consistent application of CM principles; including assessing prime and subcontract contractual, technical, and program documentation to identify CM responsibilities, risks, and dependencies (configuration identification, traceability, data management, change control, and life‑cycle governance) and ensuring appropriate CM work requirement flow‑down, mitigation, staffing, and governance are established – even when CM is not explicitly stated.
• Lead and govern CDM practices across multiple programs/product lines, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with organizational and contractual requirements.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior CM staff, ensuring clear priorities, performance management, and development of talent.
• Provide cross‑functional leadership and build partnerships with engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and program management to strengthen configuration control and traceability.
• Translate organizational objectives into actionable strategies, influencing prioritization, priorities, and execution across programs.
• Represent the CDM function with authority and credibility to senior leadership, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities.
• Serve as subject matter expert in configuration identification, change management, data management, configuration status accounting, and audit readiness.
• Oversee and optimize PLM systems and data governance protocols, driving adoption of innovative tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and digital thread continuity.
• Anticipate risks and lead resolution of blocking issues that span multiple programs, ensuring business area continuity and customer happiness.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and regulations (AS9100, EIA-649, MIL-STD-973, ISO-9001, ITAR/EAR).
• This is an on‑site opportunity.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 7‑10 years of experience in configuration management, engineering, or manufacturing within an aerospace or…