Head of Systems Engineering

Construction, Engineering & Trades · Civil & Industrial Engineering · Systems Engineering · Mechanical Engineering · Electrical Engineering

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In short

Saab UK is looking for an experienced Head of Systems Engineering to provide strategic leadership and technical vision for their Systems Engineering department. The role involves defining governance, methodologies, and driving the continuous improvement of complex aerospace and defence solutions, ensuring alignment with Lifecycle Management processes and customer needs.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary authority and strategic leader for the Systems Engineering discipline.
Define the technical vision, governance, and methodologies for designing, integrating, and verifying complex aerospace and defence solutions.
Ensure all engineering activities align with Lifecycle Management (LCM) processes.
Set the technical direction for the systems engineering department, promoting "Systems Thinking" and agile methodologies.
Act as the focal point for Systems Engineering Governance, overseeing LCM activities including bids, design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and audits.
Drive the continuous improvement of departmental capabilities, including the implementation of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital transformation initiatives.
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex technical issues, resolving architectural conflicts.
Lead and mentor a team of Systems Engineers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Oversee the creation and enactment of robust Verification, Validation, and Qualification (IVVQ) strategies.
Build and maintain high-level relationships with internal IPT leads and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Significant experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams (typically 10+ staff) in a high-complexity defence or aerospace environment.
Deep knowledge of the full systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements elicitation, architectural design, and complex systems integration.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and act as a change agent for engineering excellence.
Experience managing engineering budgets, work package estimation, and identifying technical risks/opportunities within bids.

Desired Qualifications

Degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Mathematics, or a related scientific discipline (Masters or PhD preferred).
Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and membership in professional bodies like INCOSE.
Proven experience with MBSE tools and "Design for Excellence" (DfX) concepts.
Ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance to SC or DV level.

Benefits

30 days annual leave
Workplace pension scheme with 8% company contribution
Private medical insurance
Group income protection scheme
Death in service insurance
Up to 5% share matching scheme
Company enhanced Maternity/Adoption & Paternity leave.

Skills

Systems EngineeringMBSEModel-Based Systems EngineeringAgileRequirements ElicitationArchitectural DesignSystems IntegrationINCOSEISO 15288Design for Excellence

#systems engineering#aerospace#defence#leadership#strategy#governance#MBSE#agile#integration#verification#validation

About Saab

As a leading defence and security company, we offer solutions that range from the depths of the oceans to high in the sky, on land and in cyberspace, to keep people and society safe. Empowered by our 22,000 talented people, we constantly push the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. We design, manufacture and maintain advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. We are headquartered in Sweden and have major operations all over the world and are part of the domestic defence capability of several…

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