1

Configuration Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities Peaton is seeking a Configuration Management Specialist to support the JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) administrative network at Monrovia, Goldstone and JPL. Network's (DSN ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Configuration Management information

See California salary details

$37K

$94.7K

$142.6K

How much do configuration management jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for configuration management in California is $94,679.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $110,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a configuration management do?

A configuration management professional is responsible for maintaining the consistency of a product's performance, functional, and physical attributes throughout its lifecycle. They use tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to track and control changes in hardware, software, and documentation, ensuring systems operate reliably and securely. This role often requires attention to detail, version control skills, and knowledge of IT infrastructure.

What skills do you need to be a Configuration Manager?

A Configuration Manager needs strong organizational skills, knowledge of configuration management tools like Puppet, Ansible, or Chef, and understanding of software development and IT infrastructure. They should have good communication skills, attention to detail, and often hold certifications such as ITIL or Certified Configuration Manager. Familiarity with version control systems and scripting languages can also be beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Configuration Management professional, and why are they important?

To thrive in Configuration Management, you need a solid understanding of configuration control processes, documentation standards, and typically a background in IT, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or ServiceNow, as well as certifications such as ITIL or CMII, is often required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication help professionals manage changes and maintain accurate records. These skills are crucial for ensuring system integrity, regulatory compliance, and minimizing risks related to configuration changes.

What is the difference between Configuration Management vs System Administrator?

AspectConfiguration ManagementSystem Administrator
Primary FocusManaging and maintaining system configurations, version control, and automationManaging overall system operations, user accounts, and hardware/software issues
CertificationsITIL, DevOps tools, sometimes Cisco or Microsoft certificationsCompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Work EnvironmentDevOps teams, IT departments, automation toolsData centers, network operations centers, enterprise IT teams

Configuration Management and System Administrator roles overlap in managing IT systems but differ in scope. Configuration Management focuses on automating and controlling system configurations, while System Administrators handle day-to-day system operations and troubleshooting.

What does a Configuration Manager do?

A Configuration Manager oversees the identification, control, and documentation of hardware, software, and system configurations within an organization. They ensure that systems are consistent, reliable, and compliant with standards, often using tools like version control and configuration management software. The role requires strong organizational skills and knowledge of IT infrastructure and processes.

What are some common challenges faced in a Configuration Management role, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Configuration Management professionals often encounter challenges such as maintaining accurate records of system changes, ensuring version control integrity, and coordinating updates across multiple teams. To effectively address these challenges, it's important to implement robust documentation practices, utilize specialized configuration management tools, and foster clear communication channels between development, operations, and quality assurance teams. Regular audits and reviews also help ensure that configurations remain consistent and compliant with organizational standards.

What is a Configuration Manager's salary?

The salary of a Configuration Manager typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Professionals in this role often require knowledge of configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet and may hold certifications such as ITIL or PMP.

What is configuration management?

Configuration management is a systematic process for establishing and maintaining consistency of a product’s performance, functional, and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information throughout its life. In IT and software development, it helps track and control changes in software, hardware, documents, and other critical assets. The goal is to ensure that the integrity and traceability of configurations are maintained over time, reducing errors and improving efficiency. This process is essential for organizations to deliver high-quality products and services reliably and repeatably.
What are the most commonly searched types of Configuration Management jobs in California? The most popular types of Configuration Management jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Configuration Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Configuration Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Configuration Management job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,679 per year, or $45.5 per hour.
Sr. Manager, Configuration Management

Sr. Manager, Configuration Management

Viasat, Inc.

Carlsbad, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Viasat rating

3.4

Company rating: 3.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 79 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

About us
One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We're looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.
What you'll do
The Senior Configuration Data Management (CDM) Manager is an operational execution leader responsible for managing the government CDM team and implementing and operationalizing configuration management practices across government programs by deploying and sustaining CDM leadership-approved strategy, governance, standards, and tools.
Enterprise CDM strategy, standards, and tool decisions are owned by CDM leadership; this role is accountable for deploying, operationalizing, and sustaining those decisions, ensuring adoption, consistency, and operational effectiveness across assigned programs.
This role ensures deployment and consistent application of established expectations for data integrity, traceability, and change control across the product lifecycle and ensures alignment with company, contractual, and regulatory requirements, supporting effective execution even when standard CM practices are not explicitly defined or broadly adopted.
The Senior CDM Manager provides cross-functional leadership, drives execution of CDM leadership-approved improvements, and actively influences program and functional leadership to adopt and apply established Configuration Management governance and practices. The role represents the government CDM function to programs, customers, auditors, and external authorities within defined areas of responsibility, and reports directly to the Director of Configuration Data Management.
This role provides direct people leadership for an approximately 8-10-person Configuration Data Management team of individual contributors supporting both hardware and software development and sustainment programs, with responsibility for performance management, prioritization, and professional development.
This is a US-hybrid opportunity.
The day-to-day
  • Provides operational leadership and direction for hardware and software configuration management execution, while ensuring integrated hardware and software CM governance, including lifecycle control, change management, and cross-discipline integration, in support of enterprise CDM strategy and standards.
  • Provides configuration management leadership and subject matter expertise to proposal and capture activities, including review of RFPs and SOWs for hardware, software, and integrated systems programs, contribution to CM scope definition, and input to Basis of Estimate development.
  • Accountable for operationalizing and sustaining organizational configuration management capability across programs and business areas by deploying established CM expectations and governance, including assessing prime and subcontract contractual, technical, and program documentation to identify CM responsibilities, risks, and dependencies (configuration identification, traceability, data management, change control, and life-cycle governance).
  • Ensures appropriate CM work requirement flow-down, mitigation, staffing, and execution are established in partnership with program and technical leadership, including programs where CM requirements must be clarified, interpreted, or matured during execution.
  • Leads execution of CDM practices across multiple programs or product lines, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with organizational and contractual requirements.
  • Accountable for configuration data integrity, traceability, and change control outcomes across hardware and software baselines, including audit readiness, deficiency resolution, and sustained compliance.
  • Provide leadership and direction to the CDM team, ensuring clear priorities, performance management, and development of talent within a team of individual contributors.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership and build partnerships with engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and program management to strengthen configuration control, traceability, and day-to-day execution effectiveness.
  • Translate enterprise and program objectives into actionable execution plans, influencing prioritization and sequencing of CDM deployment across assigned programs.
  • Represent the CDM function to programs, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities, escalating enterprise-level, strategic, or policy matters to CDM leadership as appropriate.
  • Serve as subject matter expert in configuration identification, change management, data management, configuration status accounting, and audit readiness, supporting audits and compliance activities through effective preparation and execution.
  • Oversee day-to-day execution and adoption of approved PLM and configuration data systems, ensuring teams effectively use established tools, workflows, and governance models defined by CDM leadership, in partnership with IT and engineering stakeholders.
  • Anticipate operational risks and lead resolution of execution-level issues that span multiple programs, escalating systemic or strategic risks to CDM leadership as appropriate.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards (e.g., AS9100, EIA-649, MIL-STD-973, ISO-9001, ITAR/EAR), with demonstrated experience applying relevant standards in regulated government environments.
  • Monitor CDM process performance and implementation effectiveness, identifying execution gaps and partnering with CDM leadership to support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Develop capability within the CDM team by coaching and mentoring configuration management professionals to strengthen execution discipline, accountability, and consistency.

What you'll need
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field required or equivalent experience in Configuration Data Management.
  • 5+ years leadership experience managing professional staff, with demonstrated responsibility for team performance, prioritization, and development.
  • Strong working knowledge of configuration management practices across hardware and software domains, with depth in one or more areas.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional execution initiatives, manage competing operational priorities, and influence program leaders, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities.
  • Experience working with industry PLM systems and configuration data governance frameworks, with the ability to support effective adoption and execution of established tools and processes.
  • US Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance is required.

What will help you on the job
  • Strong analytical mindset with proven ability to anticipate, identify, and mitigate configuration and program risks to ensure compliance with product and contractual requirements.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • CM 2 or CMPIC certification preferred.
  • Track record of driving process improvement, adoption of new tools/technologies, and organizational change in CDM functions.

#LI-AF1
Salary range
$139,000.00 - $219,500.00 / annually.For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $173,000.00- $259,000.00/ annually
At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat's comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.
EEO Statement
Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.

ViaSat logo

About ViaSat

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate.

Industry

Telecommunications

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Carlsbad, CA, US

Year founded

1986