Lead Engineering Technician

SAAB; Fareham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Lead Engineering Technician to oversee daily R&D facility operations, perform hands-on electro-mechanical builds and run test routines. You will coordinate technicians, ensure safety compliance, and push for efficient, high-quality results in a dynamic offshore and subsea inspired environment.

The role requires strong leadership, a broad engineering background, and proven ability to manage complex test programs, data capture and reporting within tight schedules.

Qualifications

• Requires HNC or degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience supervising staff and prioritising workloads.
• Ability to work to tight timescales without supervision.
• Strong knowledge of electrical, mechanical and software principles.
• Proficient with embedded software tool chains and Microsoft Office.
• Extensive data capture and analysis experience.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Owns and organises the daily operations of the R&D/engineering area.
• Oversees asset management and calibration status of equipment.
• Acts as safety lead ensuring compliance with standards and risk assessments.
• Champions 5S workplace organisation in the area.
• Performs hands-on builds of electro-mechanical hardware and test routines.
• Documents test results and supports design reviews.
• Coordinates and mentors technicians; supports engineers and project managers.

Skills

Electrical & Electronic engineering

Supervision/management

Time management

Mechanical engineering principles

Software & embedded tool chains

Microsoft Office proficiency

Data capture & analysis

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

HNC or Degree in relevant engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

TestStand

Python

C/C++

Job description

Lead Engineering Technician

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.

What you will be part

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe.

Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.

Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

The Role

Join us in creating the most innovative robotic technology for the harshest environment in the deepest oceans and most turbulent waters.

We lead the world with the most advanced engineering, electronics and software systems for pioneering electric underwater technology.

We don't just create products - we are revolutionising the underwater world. So come and be part of an innovative and agile team that is dedicated to smart and inspired technology that is rapidly changing the future of underwater robotics.

The Lead Engineering Technician will oversee daily engineering R&D facility operations, execute complex technical tasks and coordinate the daily work of the technicians to meet operations goals. The role combines hands‑on technical execution - such as building test equipment - with planning, task management and ensuring a safe, efficient working environment.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Area Ownership
• Asset management - maintain equipment ensuring it is fully operational and fit for purpose
• Safety Lead - Serve as safety lead for assigned area ensuring operations are compliant with company protocols and regulatory safety standards. Including ensuring high quality risk assessments are in place and up to date
• 5S Standard - Champion 5s workplace optimisation standards throughout assigned area ensuring operations are productive and efficient
• Management of equipment calibration status in line with the company calibration recall process / calibration register
• Practical Tasks
• Perform practical hands on builds of electro‑mechanical hardware as and when required (Jigs / fixtures / wiring harness / etc)
• Perform Engineering test routines to defined test specifications and document results to assist with Engineering design reviews (Electrical / Mechanical)
• Perform technical review studies on Engineering samples / sub‑assemblies to utilise technical problem solving (first Line support)
• Team Coordination
• Schedule, assign and review daily tasks for the technicians team
• Train and mentor technicians on technical skills and protocols
• Serve as a point of contact between engineers, project managers and technicians

Essential Skills

• HNC or Degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Competent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering environment
• Previous experience in personnel supervision / management, to coach and mentor staff and manage their workload, and setting priorities
• Ability to work unsupervised to tight timescales
• Working knowledge of Mechanical Engineering principles
• Working knowledge of Software principles in relation to products - embedded and associated tool chains
• Competent and able to use Microsoft Office to a high level
• Min 3 years in a test focused role, or within test equipment development
• Proven experience in data capture and analysis
• Proven experience working on multi‑disciplinary systems (electrical, mechanical, software)
• Excellent knowledge of test equipment and platforms
• Data capture - logging
• Creation of test reports
• Innovative and creative mind‑set with technical awareness
• Excellent communicator: both written and verbal
• Enthusiasm, drive and personality!

Desirable

• Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Formal qualification in Mechanical Engineering or Software
• Experienced and high level competence with National Instruments LabView and TestStand software tool chains within a test and measurement environment
• Experienced with creating / modifying software scripts / programs e.g. Python, Visual Basic, C, C++, etc.
• Expert in the Verification & Validation processes and associated tools and techniques
• Create high quality test reports
• Experience in the offshore and/or subsea industry
• Knowledge of product certification, best-practice and industry standards
• Expert / advanced user of Microsoft Excel
• Experience with data archiving / controlled repositories management
• Previous experience in a customer-facing role