Engineering Manager Configuration Management & Design ; H​/F - SAFRAN Electronics & DEF

Engineering Manager Configuration Management & Design Support (H/F) – SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE AVIONICS USA, LLC

Safran is an international high‑technology group operating in aerospace propulsion, equipment and interior, space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes increasingly environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. With 100 000 employees worldwide and €27.3 billion revenue in 2024, Safran occupies top positions in the aerospace and defense markets. Safran Electronics & Defense offers on‑board intelligence solutions that help clients manage their environment, reduce mental load and guarantee safe trajectories in any situation – on land, sea, air or space.

This role is part of the team that manages 13 000 experts in the three functions: observe, decide and guide for civil and military markets.

The Engineering Manager Configuration Management & Design Support at SEDA USA in Irvine, CA leads a team focused on maintaining the integrity, traceability and accuracy of engineering data and documentation throughout the entire product lifecycle. The role champions configuration management best practices and provides comprehensive design support to engineering teams, ensuring robust processes and superior technical outcomes in alignment with Safran global standards.

• Lead, develop and motivate a team of configuration analysts, drawing checkers and designers.
• Oversee and optimise configuration management policies, procedures and tools to meet Safran and regulatory requirements.
• Manage engineering change processes: oversee change requests, product baselines, document control and communication across project teams.
• Support design engineering by ensuring accurate and timely management of product data and documentation.
• Guide the team through rigorous product development processes to deliver predictable, high‑quality results.
• Act as escalation point for issues impacting configuration integrity or design data.
• Design and implement training and mentorship programs to foster technical mastery and compliance awareness.
• Plan and conduct internal audits and reviews of configuration management processes, preparing the team for external compliance assessments.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with manufacturing, supply chain, quality and project management teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including other Safran entities, customers and suppliers.
• Report project status, risks and corrective actions to SEDA engineering leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement for configuration management and design support practices.
• Coordinate with international Safran manufacturing sites when needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace or related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of product development experience, including requirements engineering, design, testing and qualification.
• Prior experience in configuration management and/or design support roles.
• Experience in aerospace or industrial environment preferred.
• 2+ years of engineering team leadership or people‑management responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Siemens NX and Dassault Systems 3DX Platforms highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of industry standards such as AS9100, ARP‑4754, APQP.
• Familiarity with documentation management and configuration management systems (PDM or PLM tools).
• Demonstrated project management, organisational and multitasking skills;
  Earned Value Management Systems knowledge a plus.
• Strong communication, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Leadership, coaching and mentoring abilities.

• Experience with configuration control from concept to field support.
• Design support for timely delivery of engineering artifacts.
• Strong ability to champion change control procedures.
• High integrity, adaptability and change‑driving capability.
• Team development experience.

• Location:
  
  Irvine, California (on‑site); some travel may be required.
• Salary: $181,900 – $383,600 (range displayed; actual may vary).
• Seniority level:
  Director.
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time.
• Job function:
  Engineering and Information Technology.
• Industry: Staffing and Recruiting.

Additional Information:
The position may involve other duties as required to meet evolving SEDA USA business needs.