Manufacturing Technician

Saab; Oakley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK in Bedfordshire is seeking a Technician to build, modify and repair uncrewed systems at base, ensuring hardware is prepped to exacting standards and ready for rapid prototyping and ongoing maintenance. The role focuses on preventative maintenance, diagnostics and field support, with a strong emphasis on quality, safety and compliance with aerospace and regulatory requirements.

You will interpret engineering drawings and wiring diagrams and collaborate with engineering teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical or electrical assembly, ideally in aerospace/robotics/automotive.
• Strong ability to diagnose hardware faults and troubleshoot complex systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Preventative maintenance and assembly of uncrewed systems.
• Routine care to ensure readiness and longevity.
• Diagnostics and fault-finding on malfunctioning hardware.
• Repairs, upgrades, and modifications per engineering schematics.
• Field support at testing sites (excluding direct system operation).

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Electrical assembly

Diagnostics

Wiring diagrams

Job description

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.

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 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:

This role is pat of our Blue Bear Business Unit in Bedfordshire. The Technician will be primarily tasked with the build, modification, and repair of uncrewed systems back at base, ensuring hardware is prepped to rigorous standards. While not involved in the direct operation of the system, this role will provide critical support in the field when required. Success in this role will ensure all assemblies meet high-quality and safety standards while supporting rapid prototyping and ongoing maintenance cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Preventative Maintenance & Assembly: Execute the mechanical and electrical assembly of uncrewed systems.
• Routine Care: Conduct thorough preventative maintenance on all systems to ensure optimal operational readiness and longevity.
• Diagnostics & Troubleshooting: Perform complex fault-finding and diagnostics on malfunctioning hardware back at base.
• Repairs & Modifications: Implement necessary repairs, upgrades, and structural modifications to existing fleets based on engineering schematics.
• Field Support: Deploy to field testing sites as required to provide hands-on technical support, rapid repair, and hardware troubleshooting (excluding direct system operation).

Skills and Experience:

Essential Skills

• Proven background in mechanical or electrical assembly, ideally within an aerospace, robotics, or automotive environment.
• Strong practical ability in diagnosing hardware faults and troubleshooting complex systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.

Desirable Skills

• Experience or familiarity with Civil and Military Aviation regulatory requirements (CAA, MAA, EASA) and industry standards.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC level).

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.