Head of Mechanical Engineering

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. Our UK presence is growing rapidly, offering a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth.

Head of Mechanical Engineering in our Blue Bear Business Unit. Provide strategic leadership and technical direction for the mechanical engineering department, overseeing the design, development, and delivery of complex aerospace and defence systems. Manage the mechanical engineering lifecycle, ensuring all solutions meet rigorous quality, safety, and regulatory standards while managing departmental budgets and resource allocation.

• Define and implement the mechanical engineering strategy and vision in alignment with business objectives and the Product Maturity Roadmap.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, including recruitment, performance reviews, and professional growth.
• Act as Design Authority for mechanical systems, providing final approval for engineering drawings, 3D models, and manufacturing data packs.
• Oversee planning and execution of all mechanical engineering deliverables to ensure they are completed On Time, On Cost, and to Quality (OTOCOQ).
• Manage departmental P&L and budgets, ensuring effective resource deployment and cost control across multiple programs.
• Drive continuous improvement in design methodologies, analysis techniques (FEA/CFD), and PLM/PDM system implementation (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter).
• Ensure all designs comply with Civil and Military Aviation regulatory requirements (CAA, MAA, EASA) and industry standards such as BS8888 and AS9145.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for key customers, partners, and suppliers, supporting new business capture and technical trade studies.
• Participate in Blue Bear’s Performance Management Scheme.
• Perform any other duties reasonably required within the grade and level of the post.

Essential Skills

• 10–15+ years in a senior or head of engineering role within the aerospace, defence, or aeronautical industry.
• Deep knowledge of mechanical principles, 3D CAD (Creo/Solid Works), GD&T, and advanced analysis tools such as ANSYS or MATLAB.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate large teams (10+ engineers) through complex hardware development life cycles.
• Experience with mechanical integration of electronics, propulsion systems, and payloads into airframes or unmanned systems.
• Strong business acumen: financial management, risk assessment, and concurrent engineering practices.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical results and KPIs to senior stakeholders.

Desirable Skills

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with a recognised body (IMechE, RAeS).
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC level).

• Travel within the UK may be required.