Lead Engineering Technician

Saab UK; Fareham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Lead Engineering Technician to oversee daily R&D facility operations in a tight‑knit team. You will build test equipment, coordinate technicians, and ensure safe, efficient workflows in a multi‑disciplinary environment.

The role requires hands‑on electromechanical work, strong data capture and analysis, and experience with LabVIEW/TestStand and embedded software concepts. Degree in engineering is preferred with leadership experience.

Qualifications

• HNC or degree in electrical/electronic engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with LabVIEW and TestStand in test and measurement.
• Proven ability to lead a small team and coordinate tasks.
• Strong data capture, analysis and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with safety standards and 5S practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily engineering R&D facility operations.
• Coordinate the daily work of technicians to meet goals.
• Build and assemble electro‑mechanical test hardware and fixtures.
• Run engineering test routines and document results for design reviews.
• Provide technical problem solving and first-line support to engineers.

Skills

Data capture & analysis

Electrical & electronic systems

Project coordination

Safety & 5S practices

Team leadership

Education

HNC/Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Software

Formal qualification in Mechanical Eng or Software

Tools

National Instruments LabVIEW

TestStand

Python/C/C++

Job description

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 of

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
• 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!
• 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

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.