Data Manager - Defence & Aerospace
Location: Hybrid - Luton
Contract: 12 months
Rate: 45-48 per hour (Inside IR35)
Clearance: SC Cleared
We are seeking an experienced Data Manager to join a high-profile defence and aerospace programme based in Luton. This is a 12-month contract offering the opportunity to work within a highly regulated, engineering-focused environment, supporting the effective management, control and governance of critical programme data throughout its lifecycle.
You will play a key role in ensuring engineering and programme data is accurately identified, controlled, protected, versioned and traceable , working closely with Configuration, Engineering, Quality and Programme teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver data management activities in line with approved Data Management Plans (DMPs) .
- Ensure engineering and programme data is correctly identified, structured, versioned and approved.
- Maintain accurate data status, visibility and traceability across programme datasets.
- Ensure approved data is made available to internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
- Implement data management policies, standards and procedures in line with organisational governance.
- Ensure programme data management activities meet contractual, regulatory and security requirements.
- Support the creation, tailoring and ongoing maintenance of programme DMPs.
- Monitor compliance with DMP requirements and identify and address deviations.
- Maintain data integrity across document management and data management systems.
- Ensure correct application of naming conventions, metadata, version control and lifecycle states.
- Support integration between data management and configuration management systems.
- Apply appropriate security classification, protective marking and export control requirements .
- Ensure appropriate access controls and permissions are in place.
- Support internal, customer and regulatory audits, providing data management evidence and metrics.
- Support the resolution of audit findings and corrective actions.
- Support data management activities throughout the full product lifecycle, from design and development through to production, in-service support, modification and obsolescence.
- Support key programme and release milestones by ensuring data is complete, accurate and appropriately approved.
- Identify risks, issues and non-compliances and escalate where appropriate.
- Work closely with Configuration, Engineering, Quality and Programme teams.
- Provide day-to-day guidance and mentoring to Data Management Engineers.
- Identify opportunities to improve data management processes, systems and ways of working.
- Contribute to lessons learned and best-practice development across programmes.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in Data Management within Defence, Aerospace or another highly regulated industry .
- Strong understanding of data lifecycle management, document control and information governance .
- Experience working to Data Management Plans (DMPs) and organisational procedures.
- Experience handling sensitive, classified or export-controlled information .
- Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational and analytical skills.
- Understanding of data security principles, with a willingness to develop knowledge of cryptographic data security .
- Confident working within structured, regulated and compliance-driven environments.
Desirable Experience
- Experience integrating Data Management with Configuration and Change Management .
- Knowledge of airworthiness, safety-critical systems or certification environments .
- Familiarity with PLM and document management systems .
- Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews and corrective actions.
- Experience working across complex engineering or defence programmes.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Delivery-focused and dependable
- Methodical and highly detail-oriented
- Comfortable working within regulated and security-conscious environments
- A confident communicator and effective collaborator
- Proactive in identifying risks and opportunities for improvement
- Able to work effectively with engineering, configuration and programme stakeholders
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Data Manager / Data Management Engineer to work on a significant defence and aerospace programme, with exposure to complex engineering data, configuration environments and highly regulated processes.
Apply now if you have strong Data Management experience within Defence, Aerospace or a similarly regulated sector and are looking for your next contract opportunity.
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