The Guts to Try

FlightWave is a cutting-edge UAS company building high-performance drone systems for defense, public safety, and industrial applications. As a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, we're expanding rapidly and need dedicated, detail-oriented team members to help scale our engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

We’re seeking an experienced Configuration Manager to lead FlightWave’s product lifecycle and change management processes. You will own and evolve our use of PLM tools (primarily Arena) to ensure clean, clear product data and disciplined execution of engineering changes across the organization. You’ll collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, QA, and Supply Chain to manage product configurations, drive ECO/ECN processes, and enforce best practices across BOMs and documentation.

Location: On-site – Carson, CA

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Own and administer PLM tools (Arena), including product structures, parts, documentation, workflows, supplier information, and manufacturing exports.
• Maintain and manage accurate Engineering and Manufacturing BOMs, part numbers, revisions, and configurations.
• Coordinate and facilitate Change Control Boards (CCB) and ensure timely review and implementation of ECOs/ECNs.
• Generate and track Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), ensuring completeness and downstream follow-through.
• Define and manage product configuration baselines across engineering milestones.
• Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing to perform impact assessments on proposed changes (cost, inventory, supply chain, compliance).
• Ensure configuration data integrity across the product lifecycle—from concept through production and service.
• Develop and continuously improve internal configuration and change control processes to meet industry and regulatory standards.
• Provide training and guidance on PLM tools and processes to cross-functional teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications -

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of direct experience in hardware configuration management within deep-tech, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, or similar high-rigor environments.
• Deep knowledge of PLM tools like Arena (required), ERP tools (e.g. Odoo, SAP, etc), and familiarity with tools such as Linear, Confluence, SharePoint, Git, Altium and SolidWorks PDM is a plus.
• Proven experience running change boards and managing ECOs/ECRs across cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of product structures (EBOMs/MBOMs), document control, and effectivity management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly synthesize and present complex data.
• Meticulous attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset.

Additional Desired Qualifications -

• Experience supporting defense-industry compliance programs or regulated hardware environments is a plus.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions -

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods; occasional walking, bending, or reaching within an office or manufacturing environment.
• Regular use of hands and fingers to operate computers, standard office equipment, and engineering documentation tools.
• Ability to read printed and digital documents, and use a computer monitor for extended periods.
• Occasionally required to lift and move items up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in both verbal and written form across departments, including meetings and digital collaboration platforms.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Salary: $110-130K with generous annual equity package.