Configuration Management & Documentation Manager
Position Summary
Thales is looking for a Configuration Management & Documentation Manager, whose role is to serve as a senior strategic leader responsible for driving enterprise-wide configuration governance, documentation integrity, and process standardization across complex operational and technical environments. This role operates with a broad cross-functional mandate to establish scalable configuration management frameworks, ensure document control compliance, and support operational continuity, quality assurance, and long-term business resilience.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Lead enterprise-wide configuration management and documentation control initiatives to ensure operational consistency, compliance, and process standardization across complex technical and business environments.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve scalable configuration governance frameworks, document control systems, and change management processes that support long-term organizational efficiency and resilience.
Oversee configuration baselines, technical documentation integrity, revision control, and audit readiness to ensure compliance with internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
Partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, program management, and leadership teams to identify operational challenges, drive process optimization, and support strategic business objectives.
Utilize data-driven methodologies, performance metrics, and compliance best practices to provide executive-level insights, mitigate operational risk, and support informed decision-making.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership by fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence across all configuration management and documentation activities.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field, with 10+ years of experience in configuration management supporting complex, multi-domain product data environments; equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.
5+ years of direct configuration management experience within highly regulated industries such as aerospace, medical devices, defense, nuclear, or similarly compliance-driven environments.
Hands-on expertise with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and configuration/data management toolsets, such as Windchill, supporting complex product structures and controlled documentation processes.
Strong understanding of Systems Engineering principles and the full Product Development Lifecycle, including configuration control throughout design, development, release, and sustainment phases.
Proven leadership experience with the ability to effectively manage cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders at all organizational levels, and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated operational excellence with a quality-focused mindset, including experience managing controlled records, product releases, regulatory data compliance (e.g., FAA, EAR), version control, process discipline, and organizational planning in collaborative team-oriented environments.
Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined in applicable law, or otherwise authorized or eligible for authorization, to access to hardware, software, technology or technical {OPEN} data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
Special Position Requirements
Experience working with Windchill PLM tools is highly preferred, while familiarity with JIRA or similar issue and problem-reporting systems is considered a strong advantage.
Experience with SAP ERP systems or related enterprise resource planning platforms is a plus.
Multilingual communication skills, including proficiency in Italian or French, are considered beneficial in supporting global collaboration and international operations.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Operations, or a related discipline is preferred.
Ability to work a flexible schedule aligned to a 9/80 or 5/40 work structure, primarily supporting operations Monday through Thursday.
Comfortable working in a hybrid office environment based in Overland Park, Kansas City area, with the ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% annually, including occasional trips to Salt Lake City, Utah and Gorgonzola (Milan), Italy.