Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Configuration Manager – Templecombe / Cheadle / Crawley
Hybrid working: 3 days per week on site
Hours: 37 per week, Mon–Fri (8 hours Mon–Thurs, 5 hours Fri)
Step into a role where your curiosity, care and diligence make a real difference.
As a Configuration Manager, you will help safeguard the integrity of our product data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring our teams have the clarity and confidence they need to deliver complex engineering projects. You will be part of a collaborative community working at the heart of system integration, building strong relationships across the business while developing your own skills in a supportive, people‑focused environment.
Core Benefits
We want you to feel valued, supported and able to thrive. Our benefits include:
Performance‑related bonus up to 10%
Half‑day Fridays
28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with the option to buy up to 40 hours.
24 hours paid volunteering hours.
Private healthcare (for you and your partner)
Pension scheme
Life cover
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and mental wellbeing app
Discounts with major retailers
Gym membership savings
More details available here: UK benefits | Thales Group
About Under Water Systems (UWS)
Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensors and decision superiority, helping navies across the world keep our friends, families and all of us safe. We cover four sectors: Mine Counter Measures, Anti-Submarine warfare, Services and Future Capabilities.
Main Responsibilities
Lead configuration planning and maintain CM plans, baselines and documentation across the project lifecycle.
Manage configuration change control, including CCB coordination, traceability and approvals.
Ensure product definition accuracy, including Bills of Materials and “as built / as installed / as tested” records.
Conduct configuration audits and verifications (PCA/FCA) and assess supplier/contractor CM compliance.
Maintain PLM data integrity, ensuring correct registration, release and lifecycle traceability of all configuration items.
Key Skills & Experience
Strong understanding of configuration management processes, PLM tools and hardware/software CM practices
Knowledge of systems engineering and system integration principles
Comfortable navigating complexity, adapting to change and applying Lean/Agile approaches.
Experience in defence, engineering or MOD‑related projects and familiarity with DEF Stan 00‑057.
Confident communicator who builds positive relationships and supports effective supplier/partner collaboration.
Security Clearance Requirement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
Skills Required
- Strong understanding of configuration management processes
- Experience in PLM tools
- Knowledge of systems engineering principles
- Experience in defence or engineering projects
- Security Clearance required
What We Do
Thales is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers – businesses, organisations and states – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.
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