Description

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

The Senior Configuration Manager (SCM) will establish, implement and lead the formal Configuration Management (CM) discipline across our global autonomous systems portfolio. The successful Configuration Manager will improve CM process maturity, guide company-wide CM adoption, and establish an assistive CM function that enables both discipline and critical operational tempo.  This individual will build on established CM definitions, standards, processes and PLM tools, establish and conduct a Configuration Control Board (CCB), and provide high‐value support to engineering, manufacturing, quality, sustainment and field operations in order to assure configuration integrity, lifecycle traceability and change control for both component and deployed autonomous vehicles.

What you'll do

• Define CM Standards & Policy
• • Develop and publish company CM definitions and standards aligned with SAE, ISO and DoD CM frameworks (including system‐level and post‐sale CM practices).
  • Update and maintain company CM policy documentation and procedure library.
  • Coordinate change management and CM awareness campaigns.
• Establish & Operate a Configuration Control Board (CCB)
• • Design the CCB structure, charter, membership, meeting cadence and supporting materials for standing and out-of-cycle CCB.
  • Schedule and facilitate the triage, review and adjudication of engineering change proposals (ECPs).
  • Provide hands‐on support to project teams and engineering groups to expedite the CCB process while maintaining necessary discipline.
• Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) Management
• • Create and maintain a standardized digital ECP template and workflow
  • Provide coaching and assistance to engineers / teams preparing ECPs; be the CM change agent for adoption of CM and process tempo.
  • Ensure each ECP includes defined data elements, cost/schedule/risk impact analysis, and traceability from baseline to revised configuration.
• Fielded Asset Configuration Management
• • Advise and assist implementation of processes to capture, track and maintain configurations of deployed systems via NetSuite ERP.
  • Support field modification planning, documentation and execution of configuration changes in the field.
• PLM/ERP Systems Ownership
• • Serve as the Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) for the standards and stewardship of the Arena PLM system and associated content.
  • Define and enforce standards for document structure, numbering schema, document data elements, change‐management workflows and data integrity within Arena.
• Support Mission Delivery & Program Teams
• • Provide direct support to program teams (engineering, manufacturing, sustainment) around CM documentation, CM plans, baselining, status accounting, audit readiness and deliverables required for contracts.
  • Act as internal CM concierge—proactively engaging teams to minimize delay and disruption while maintaining CM discipline.
• Culture & Change Management
• • Drive a cultural shift to mature enterprise-level CM discipline covering systems, hardware, software, firmware and fielded assets.
  • Develop training materials, templates, metrics and continuous improvement mechanisms for CM maturity monitoring and advancement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8+ years of experience in configuration management, change control, product lifecycle management (PLM) or systems engineering within a high‐technology, deployed‐system, defense or aerospace environment.
• Proven experience planning and implementing CM processes, establishing CCBs, managing ECPs, and owning PLM/CM tools.
• Strong knowledge of CM standards/frameworks: SAE EIA-649, ISO 10007, DoD CM standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-61A, MIL-STD-973) or equivalent.
• Experience with PLM systems (preferably Arena or similar) and ERP integration (e.g., NetSuite) is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to engage cross‐functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Sustainment, Field Support) and drive change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to produce CM plans, reports and deliverables.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to data integrity, and ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while maintaining rigor and discipline.
• Ability to thrive in an environment of rapid growth and maturity, where change is the constant and the mission is imperative

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both component and fielded integrated systems configuration processes (as-designed, as-built, and as-maintained configurations).
• Experience working in a global/sustainment context (global field service operations).
• Specific training or certification in configuration management (e.g., CM2, CMII) or equivalent.
• Previous ownership of change control boards, product lifecycle data governance, part numbering schemes and system‐level configuration management.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (e.g Arena, Windchill, etc.)

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra's candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

PI280535113