Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

The Role:

This role is part of our BlueBear Business Unit.

To act as the primary authority and strategic leader for the Systems Engineering discipline. You will be responsible for defining the technical vision, governance, and methodologies used to design, integrate, and verify complex aerospace and defence solutions. The role ensures that all engineering activities align with Lifecycle Management (LCM) processes and meet the evolving needs of customers like the UK MoD and international partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Set the technical direction for the systems engineering department, promoting "Systems Thinking" and agile methodologies to improve project execution and system architecting.
• Engineering Governance: Act as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance, overseeing Lifecycle Management (LCM) activities including bids, design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and audits.
• Capability Development: Drive the continuous improvement of departmental capabilities, including the implementation of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital transformation initiatives.
• Technical Authority: Serve as the senior escalation point for complex technical issues, resolving architectural conflicts and ensuring the mitigation of emergent behaviours at a "System of Systems" level.
• Departmental Management: Lead and mentor a team of Systems Engineers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), managing resource allocation, recruitment, and succession planning.
• V&V Strategy: Oversee the creation and enactment of robust Verification, Validation, and Qualification (IVVQ) strategies to ensure solutions meet all safety, security, and performance requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain high-level relationships with internal IPT leads and external stakeholders (customers/suppliers) to elicit requirements and influence technical roadmaps.
• Process Standards: Ensure all activities adhere to industry standards (e.g., INCOSE, ISO 15288) and internal quality, safety, and airworthiness policies.