Reporting to the Lead Systems Engineer and Risk Manager, the Configuration Lead will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Configuration Management (CM) system used by management and technical project staff, as well as external collaborators and contractors, through all project phases from GMT Observatory development to operations. This role manages a team of Document Control specialists and CAD modelers responsible for maintaining system integrity, supporting users, and ensuring compliance with document and change control practices.
The Configuration Lead specifies, organizes, updates, and maintains the documentation archive systems and ensures compliance with documentation standards, policies, and procedures. They oversee the change process, coordinate Change Control Board activities, and work with the project staff to incorporate approved and validated changes into the Observatory baseline. The Configuration Lead is responsible for conducting configuration audits and for evaluating and improving configuration management processes and policies as well as working with GMTO IT staff to upgrade and develop Configuration Management tools.
The Configuration Lead may attend technical meeting/reviews when needed to be fully aware of GMT project requirements and assist with any issues that relate to the configuration management process. The Configuration Lead must also be able to work with GMT personnel and subcontractors (locally, remotely or internationally) to ensure compliance and secure the documentation into the CM system.
The Configuration Lead will implement and manage the individual and federated 3D CAD model for the mechanical apparatus, equipment, assemblies, mechanical components, and other parts for the complex structures of the telescope and its enclosure. They will also work closely and collaboratively with the EPDM administrator and the Configuration Management team to develop and improve CAD and EPDM processes, procedures, drawing templates, standards, workflows and other related processes. This also includes developing training material on the use of CM Products and yearly training to the project team. The selected candidate will also check drawings and models from the subsystem designers and support the review and approval process.
The Configuration Lead will take end-to-end ownership of the CM processes, having the ability to be proactive, listen to stakeholders, ask probing questions, and collaborating with diverse teams of engineers and scientists. The technical expertise to grasp complex information and requirements will be key to the success of the Configuration Lead.
The Configuration Lead must also stay up to date with the priorities of the project to better focus the support of the CM team in times when surge support is required, particularly in the lead up to reviews. This includes having close collaboration with the Systems Engineering team and the Project Element or department under review.