At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise the Configuration Management System for aerospace products.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aerospace technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical cover, and career advancement opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on employee well-being and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aviation safety and configuration management.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and CMII Level 6 Certification required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.
With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions. In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran, Wales.
Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:
- 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)
- Pension Scheme, leading salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%
- Private Medical Cover (upgrade to cover family members)
- Salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
- 4 x Life Assurance
- Interactive benefits platform (tech, retail benefits & income protection)
- Enhanced family friendly policies & employee assistance programme
- Annual share-save schemes
- Career advancement - Safran University and internal Training and Development Schools
- Corporate Social Responsibility activities
Your Role
The Configuration Manager leads, develops, and maintains the SSGB Configuration Management System (CMS), ensuring effective control, traceability, and governance of product, programme, and business configurations throughout their lifecycle. The role ensures CMS alignment with Group and Branch processes, QMS requirements, Information Systems, and all applicable business and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and continuously improve the CMS, ensuring compliance with organisational, customer, OEM, and regulatory requirements through governance, monitoring, and KPI reporting.
- Own and optimise the engineering change control process, maintaining clear responsibilities and effective Change Control Boards (CCBs).
- Drive standardisation of configuration and engineering change practices, aligned with group processes, procedures, and best practice.
- Produce and maintain configuration management data and reports supporting programme and project lifecycle requirements.
- Assess changes in business, customer, and industry requirements, implementing improvements to configuration management processes.
- Partner with Change and Programme Management teams to embed configuration control throughout programme delivery and change implementation.
- Support Windchill PLM deployment and optimisation, ensuring configuration management principles and controls provide a robust foundation.
- Analyse CMS performance and implement improvements that increase efficiency, reduce non-value-added engineering change, and strengthen configuration governance.
Desirable Experience
We are looking for a safety professional with a strong aviation background and a passion for driving safety excellence across a global organisation. You will bring:
- Degree qualified in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Structural Engineering, or HNC/HND (or equivalent) with significant experience in mechanical design.
- CMII Level 6 Certified, with a strong understanding of configuration management principles and best practices.
- Proficient in CATIA V5, SmarTeam, and/or other Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
- Experience working within the Aerospace or Automotive industries, including knowledge of Digital Mock-Up (DMU) environments.
- Familiarity with Boeing and Airbus specifications and requirements.
- Strong understanding of engineering release, change control, and approval processes.
- Proven ability to apply configuration management principles within complex engineering and product development environments.
Configuration Manager employer: Safran UK
At Safran, we prioritise our people and offer a supportive work environment that fosters diversity, innovation, and opportunity. With an impressive range of benefits including 33 days of holiday, a leading pension scheme, and enhanced family-friendly policies, we are committed to employee growth and well-being. Join us in Cwmbran, where you can be part of a global leader in aerospace and defence, contributing to a sustainable future while enjoying a vibrant work culture and numerous engagement opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Configuration Manager
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Safran UK for a Configuration Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Configuration Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Safran UK, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Safran UK, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Safran UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Safran UK.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Safran UK. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Safran UK love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
