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
