Head of Electronic Engineering

Saab UK; Bedford; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Head of Electronics to lead its electronics design and prototyping department in Bedford. This role requires extensive experience in electronics hardware design, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of safety–critical development environments. The successful candidate will drive the design lifecycle, manage a team of engineers, and ensure adherence to standards like DO-254. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative projects while fostering professional growth.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of experience in electronics hardware design across digital and mixed signal systems.
• Experience managing 5+ projects/programmes at a time.
• Ability to implement processes for adherence to legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of electronic engineers.
• Drive the electronic hardware design lifecycle from requirements to production.
• Manage cross-functional coordination with Systems Engineering and other teams.

Skills

Project and programme management

Electronics hardware design

DO-254 compliance

Wiring and PCB rework

Communication skills

Education

Chartered/Incorporated Engineering Status

Tools

VHDL

Verilog

Embedded C

Python

Job description

Saab in UK is growing rapidly, with over 500 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 Head of Electronics position will head up the electronics design and prototyping department, leading overall design and a managing 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:

Lead, mentor, and develop a high–performing team of electronic engineers (8–10 staff) across multiple programmes.

Define team objectives, competency development plans, 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 design lifecycle from requirements capture through to production release. Acting as the design authority.

Lead detailed design activities for digital, mixed‑signal, Application Processor and FPGA‑based, and high‑reliability systems.

Oversee complex circuit design, worst‑case analysis, component derating, power integrity assessment, and reliability engineering.

Provide expert review and approval of schematics, PCB layouts, component selection, and detailed design documentation.

Design Standardisation & Quality Governance:

Act as 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, Verfication 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.

15–20 years experience in electronics hardware design across digital and mixed signal systems

Chartered/Incorporated Engineering Status

Experience applying and designing to DO‑254

At least 5 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+ 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

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.