Mechanical Design Engineer

Saab UK; Bedford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK, based in Bedfordshire, is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the Head of Engineering in multidisciplinary design challenges for unmanned systems. You will lead technical work on requirements, design, integration, manufacturing and testing, with some UK travel.

The role covers concept development, material selection for metallic/composite parts, and end-to-end product lifecycle activities from design to verification.

Qualifications

• Degree/HND in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience using SolidWorks including solid modelling, surfacing, assemblies, detailing and BoM creation.
• Experience producing engineering drawings and technical documentation to recognised standards.
• Experience supporting product development from concept through detailed design, manufacture, assembly and test.
• Ability to perform first-pass engineering analysis (basic FEA & CFD) to support design decisions.
• Understanding of material selection and manufacturing processes for metallic and composite components.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles.
• Experience developing prototypes and supporting integration and testing activities.
• Ability to understand and translate customer requirements into engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day CAD design activities and manage multidisciplinary design requirements across aerospace development projects.
• Support the delivery of assigned work packages, ensuring progress against schedule, cost and risk objectives.
• Contribute to design, integration, verification, and test activities throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop innovative product concepts, prototypes, & designs using CAE, CAD, & CAM tools.
• Select materials and manufacturing methods for composite and metallic aerospace components.
• Support payload & propulsion system integration activities, including all-electric propulsion & eVTOL applications, while working with aircraft concepts team to assess aircraft performance impacts & contributing to aircraft-level optimisation.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, specifications, DFMEAs, and risk assessments.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements and apply emerging technologies where appropriate
• Assist programme management activities, including estimating, planning, dependency management and progress tracking

Skills

Mechanical design

Requirement analysis

DFMA principles

Prototype development

Customer requirement translation

Education

Degree/HND in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

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.

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 part of the Saab UK Bluebear Business based in Bedfordshire. Your role as a Mechanical Design Engineer will be to support Head of Engineering on multidisciplinary design challenges involved in the development of unmanned systems. This represents an exciting opportunity to provide technical leadership of innovative products including requirement management, design, integration, manufacturing and testing. Some travel within the UK may be required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day CAD design activities and manage multidisciplinary design requirements across aerospace development projects
• Support the delivery of assigned work packages, ensuring progress against schedule, cost and risk objectives
• Contribute to design, integration, verification, and test activities throughout the product development lifecycle
• Develop innovative product concepts, prototypes, & designs using CAE, CAD, & CAM tools
• Select materials and manufacturing methods for composite and metallic aerospace components
• Support payload & propulsion system integration activities, including all-electric propulsion & eVTOL applications, while working with aircraft concepts team to assess aircraft performance impacts & contributing to aircraft-level optimisation
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, specifications, DFMEAs, and risk assessments
• Engage with customers to understand requirements and apply emerging technologies where appropriate
• Assist programme management activities, including estimating, planning, dependency management and progress tracking

Required Qualifications/Skills

• Degree/HND in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or other related engineering discipline
• Experience using SolidWorks including solid modelling, surfacing, assemblies, detailing and BoM creation
• Experience producing engineering drawings and technical documentation to recognised standards
• Experience supporting product development from concept through detailed design, manufacture, assembly and test
• Ability to perform first-pass engineering analysis (basic FEA & CFD) to support design decisions
• Understanding of material selection and manufacturing processes for metallic and composite components
• Understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles
• Experience developing prototypes and supporting integration and testing activities
• Ability to understand and translate customer requirements into engineering solutions

Desired Qualifications/Skills

• Experience within the aerospace, UAV, defence, space, or advanced air mobility sectors

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.