Configuration Specialist

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Information Services and Security have a vital role to play in a crucial national mission. We are here to enable the organisation to deliver through the use of technology. As AWE transforms itself to meet the needs of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent, we need to adapt to deliver data-driven decision making, flexible and future-proofed IT services, adaptable cyber security, support to a multi-billion Pound building programme, and many more.
The scale might be daunting to some, but you’ll find it stimulating. We’ve got a long journey that we’ve only just started and we’re looking for motivated people who can take us in the right direction. Your role will contribute directly to that shared mission. We won’t deceive you, in some areas we’re starting from a low base, but within ten years this organisation will look quite different, and you can help make that happen. This is a role where you’ll contribute to a legacy of national security for decades to come.
So come and join us.
We are currently seeking a Configuration Engineer to support the business to deliver a configuration management service in accordance with Configuration Management Plans.
Configuration Management is the practice of tracking and controlling changes to the configured baseline of an Asset throughout its lifecycle. At AWE, an Asset is defined as, a Facility, Plant Equipment or a Process.
Configuration Specialists work closely with our Facilities and Project Teams to identify, organise, and document the components that make up an asset, to ensure that changes to those components are properly controlled, tracked, and communicated to all relevant stakeholders in line with our Asset Change Process.
We are interested in hearing from candidates who have a working knowledge of technical engineering or information management-based projects and are seeking to develop their career with us.
Location - Reading area. Although there are occasional opportunities to work from home, you will be required to travel to site as per business demands.
Salary - from £35,840
As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

Key Accountabilities:

• Accountable to the Configuration Manager for the provision of engineering support in delivering a safe and efficient Configuration Management service.
• Monitor the progress of changes, ensuring compliance with Configuration Management procedures and that those changes are accurately recorded and documented upon implementation.
• Working with the Change Manager and all relevant SME’s to fully understand all live changes, their impact on each other and highlight potential operational risks relating to safety and programme.
• Assess, understand, and communicate the impact of change accumulation, especially to safety/risk/budget/deadline/regulations.
• Provide, as appropriate, advice and guidance on Configuration Management standards, applicable legislation and company processes and procedures.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality and be an effective team player.
• Additional accountabilities for this job profile may be defined and appointed through the Chief Engineer Management Arrangement.

Key Responsibilities:

• To ensure that I understand and apply my responsibilities regarding the Company’s Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Standards.
• Performance delivery.
• Establish Configuration Identification requirements.
• Ensure Configuration Items (CI’s) and/or baselines are maintained under configuration control.
• Ensure configured documentation represents the current ‘as-installed’ status.
• Manage change control procedure(s) and demonstrate adherence through status accounting.
• Undertake an assessment of change requests, providing technical support where appropriate, and provide feedback on the impact of the change to all relevant stakeholders.
• Actively participate in Change Boards (CB).
• Stakeholder Management - build and maintain good working relationships with all stakeholders and change managers.
• Provide change manager training and configuration management awareness sessions to all parties.
• Act as Configuration Champion.
• Being flexible to move around the business dependent on demand or workload.
• The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

Experience of the following would be advantageous:

• Proven work experience within Configuration management within an engineering domain
• Experience of a regulated environment
• Problem solving and organization skills including minute taking
• Ability to prioritise
• Effective communication skills - verbal and written
• Attention to detail
• Being able to demonstrate both independent and collaborative working
• Accreditation to CM2(CMII) Configuration Management is highly desirable
• Document control experience

All Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.