Deputy Head of Electronics

BlueBear - A Saab Company; Bedford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading electronics firm in Bedford is seeking a Deputy Head of Electronics to lead the electronics design and prototyping department. This role requires over 10 years of extensive experience in electronic design, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of DO-254 compliance. The candidate will guide a team of engineers, manage multiple complex projects, and ensure high-quality design processes. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to critical systems in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years of experience in electronics hardware design across digital and mixed signal systems.
• Experience applying and designing to DO-254.
• Significant expertise in detailed electronics hardware design.

Responsibilities

• Guide and develop a high-performing team of electronic engineers.
• Own and drive electronic hardware designs for specific projects.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for DO-254 processes.

Skills

Project and programme management

Electronics hardware design

DO-254 compliance

Wiring and PCB rework

VHDL or Verilog

Embedded C and Python

Job description

Saab in UK is growing rapidly, with over 600 colleagues across eight sites. We bring together Swedish heritage and British expertise to drive innovation in areas such as software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training. Joining Saab in UK means contributing to the security and resilience of society while building a career with real scope for personal and professional growth.

The Role:

This role will be part of our BlueBear Business in Bedfordshire.

This Deputy Head of Electronics position will assist in leading the electronics design and prototyping department, guiding overall design and a supporting management of a team of electronic engineers.

This role is suited to a person with extensive experience in detailed electronic design, strong leadership capability, and extensive knowledge of safety- and mission-critical development environments, including DO-254 compliance and controlled design documentation processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

• Guide, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of electronic engineers (8–10 staff) across multiple programmes.
• Define team objectives and performance goals aligned with business needs.
• Foster a culture focused on engineering excellence, traceability, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Technical Leadership & Design Execution:

• Own and drive the electronic hardware designs for specific projects, implementing full design lifecycle from requirements capture through to production release.
• Lead detailed design activities for digital, mixed-signal, Application Processor and FPGA-based, and high-reliability systems.
• Provide expert review and approval of schematics, PCB layouts, component selection, and detailed design documentation.

Design Standardisation & Quality Governance:

• Act as one of the organisational Subject Matter Expert for DO-254 processes, standards, and industry best practice.
• Maintain design assurance processes and verification traceability across safety-critical electronics developments.
• Oversee configuration control, Verification and Validation activities.

Project & Stakeholder Coordination:

• Work cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Software, Mechanical, Test, and Programme Management teams to ensure aligned delivery.
• Support bid development, cost estimation, design planning, and reporting to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Ensure workloads, priorities, project risks, and dependencies are managed effectively to meet schedule commitments.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong project and programme management experience.
• 10-12 years experience in electronics hardware design across digital and mixed signal systems
• Experience applying and designing to DO-254
• At least 3 years of extensive wiring and PCB rework experience.
• Significant expertise in detailed electronics hardware design.
• Detailed understanding of the electronics manufacturing processes
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Process driven, ability to read legislation and implement processes to ensure adherence.
• Experience managing 5+ complex projects/programmes at a time with many stakeholders.
• Highly organised and able to work multi projects in fast paced environment
• Adaptable personality with professional approach
• Leading a team
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisation skills
• Conscientious, with a proactive work ethic
• Experience working on many projects at once and managing your time effectively.
• Experience of interfacing with subcontractors
• Experience writing VHDL or Verilog
• Experience writing embedded C and Python
• Subject to UK MoD security clearance vetting to a minimum SC level
• As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it.
• By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.