What are the responsibilities and job description for the Configuration Management Specialist position at ARES Corporation?
The Configuration Management (CM) Specialist supports NASA Kennedy Space Center programs by executing disciplined configuration and data management processes across the full lifecycle of flight, ground, and facility systems. This role is responsible for maintaining technical and programmatic baselines, ensuring traceability of requirements and design changes, and supporting mission readiness through robust change control, status accounting, audit and verification, documentation management, and process audit activities.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop, maintain, and implement CM plans and processes compliant with NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR 7120.5, NPR 7123.1, NPR 7150.2), KSC policies, and contract-specific CM requirements.
- Establish, maintain, and control configuration baselines for spacecraft ground systems, GSE, facility systems, software systems, and mission/program documentation.
- Coordinate engineering change control through formal channels such as Change Requests (CRs), Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), and Technical Change Notices (TCNs).
- Perform configuration status accounting using KSC‑approved systems and tools to identify, track, correlate, and status the change requirement, change authorization, engineering, work execution documents, and related non-conformances through change completion.
- Support Functional Configuration Audits (FCAs) and Physical Configuration Audits (PCAs) for KSC programs, including verification of as-built/as-certified hardware, software, and documentation.
- Analyzes product design changes identified in drawings, SW and HW specifications, SW version descriptions and installation instructions, test plans and procedures, technical orders, etc.
- Ensure compliance with NASA data management requirements including proper identification, control, storage, distribution, and retirement of technical records.
- Maintain version control and traceability for controlled documents, drawings, models, requirements, and software artifacts.
- Interface with NASA civil servants, contractors, engineering disciplines, safety/quality organizations, and mission operations teams to ensure alignment with CM policies and mission needs.
- Prepare and present CM metrics, reports, and compliance summaries to Program/Project leadership, PP&C, and Directorate authorities.
- Provide training and guidance on CM processes and tool usage to engineering and project personnel.
Minimum Requirements
- Strong written/verbal communication skills
- Must be self-motivated, demonstrate initiative and be able to work independently or with minimal supervision
Education and Relevant Work Experience
- Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA/BS) preferred
- 5 years relevant experience preferred
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting KSC programs (e.g., Exploration Ground Systems, Launch Services Program, Artemis, or KSC facilities engineering).
- Familiarity with NASA human‑rated system CM practices.
- CM certification (NDIA, CMII, CMPIC) strongly preferred.
- Experience preparing CM deliverables under NASA contracts.
- Experience with audits, flight hardware documentation, ground systems documentation, and mission assurance processes.
ARES BENEFITS:
ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full-time employees may participate in:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- HSA/FSA Accounts
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
- ESOP
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
ARES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with E-Verify. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law. ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a