Senior Electronics Laboratory Technician

Blue Bear Systems Group Ltd; Oakley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Workplace pension 8% company contrib.

Private medical insurance

Group income protection

Death in service insurance

Share matching scheme

Enhanced Maternity/Adoption & Paternty

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Senior Technician to provide hands-on expertise in assembling, testing, integrating and repairing electronic assemblies, PCBAs and wiring harnesses. You will ensure high quality, safety and compliance while supporting day-to-day lab operations.

You will work with engineering teams to improve manufacturing processes, ensure documentation accuracy and support ECN implementation. Some UK travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in electronic assembly, PCB testing and fault-finding in high-technology environments (aerospace/defence).
• Strong knowledge of IPC standards and best practices for assembly and inspection.
• Experience with wiring harness manufacture and electronics system integration.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics and manufacturing docs.
• Experience diagnosing complex electronic systems and troubleshooting faults.
• Familiarity with ESD control and laboratory management practices.
• Attention to detail with emphasis on quality and safety.
• Effective cross-team communication and workload prioritisation.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture high-quality electronic wiring assemblies per IPC and industry standards.
• Test, power-up and integrate PCBAs and electronic systems per procedures.
• Diagnose and rectify faults in electronic assemblies and flight hardware.
• Repair and modify flight system hardware in line with QA standards.
• Oversee ECNs in the laboratory and ensure proper implementation.
• Ensure accurate drawings and manufacturing docs for production release.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and repeatability.
• Support planning of laboratory activities and priorities with the Head of Vehicle Integration.
• Maintain safe, organised laboratory environment and manage equipment.

Skills

Electronic assembly

PCB testing

Fault-finding

ESD control

Engineering drawings

Regulatory standards IPC

Lab supervision

Team collaboration

6S methodology

Security clearance readiness

Education

IPC certification (desirable)

Electronics manufacturing qualifications

Tools

IPC standards

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

The Senior Technician will provide hands-on technical expertise in the manufacture, testing, integration and repair of electronic assemblies, PCBAs and wiring harnesses. The role is responsible for ensuring high standards of quality, workmanship and compliance with industry standards whilst supporting the day-to-day operation and supervision of the electronics laboratory. Working closely with engineering teams, the Senior Technician will contribute to the continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, laboratory practices, and the successful delivery of electronic and flight system hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacture high-quality electronic wiring assemblies in accordance with IPC and other relevant industry standards.
• Inspect, power-up, test and integrate PCBAs and electronic systems in accordance with approved test procedures and documentation.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot and rectify faults within electronic assemblies and flight system hardware.
• Repair, modify and adapt flight system hardware in line with company procedures, engineering requirements and quality standards.
• Raise, track and oversee Engineering Change Notes (ECNs) assigned to the laboratory, ensuring changes are implemented accurately and efficiently.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure drawings, work instructions and manufacturing documentation are clear, accurate and suitable for production release.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and repeatability within the manufacture, integration and commissioning of electronic systems.
• Support the Head of Vehicle Integration with the planning and allocation of day-to-day laboratory activities and priorities.
• Inspect, assess and rectify non-conforming assemblies in line with failure reporting, corrective action and quality management processes.
• Maintain laboratory facilities, equipment and tooling to ensure a safe, organised and efficient working environment.
• Coordinate Electronic Static Discharge (ESD) management processes, including monitoring, testing and compliance activities.
• Manage laboratory consumables, stock components and tooling levels to support ongoing development and production activities.
• Provide guidance, instruction and training to technicians and laboratory users on assembly techniques, laboratory procedures and ESD controls.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturing capability, product quality and laboratory effectiveness.
• Ensure all work is carried out in accordance with company quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of laboratory staff, including task allocation and holiday approvals, while formal people-management matters remain with the Department Head.

Other Duties and Responsibilities To actively participate in Blue Bear’s Performance Management Scheme. To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably required within the grade and level of the post. You will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your evolving role within the company and the overall business objectives of the company. Some travel within the UK may be required. The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your evolving role within the company and the overall business objectives of the company.

Qualification and Skills

• Essential Proven experience in electronic assembly, PCB testing, integration and fault-finding within a manufacturing, aerospace, defence or high-technology environment.
• Strong practical knowledge of IPC standards and best practices for electronic assembly and inspection.
• Experience in wiring harness manufacture, PCB assembly and electronic system integration.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, manufacturing documentation and test procedures.
• Experience of diagnostic and troubleshooting techniques for complex electronic systems.
• Familiarity with ESD control requirements and laboratory management practices.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and support the coordination of laboratory activities.
• Desired IPC certification or equivalent electronics manufacturing qualifications.
• Experience within aerospace, defence, autonomous systems or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of engineering change control and configuration management processes.
• Familiarity with Civil or Military Aviation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Experience training or mentoring junior technicians and laboratory personnel.
• Experience working to 6S Methodology.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Saab UK Company Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• Workplace pension scheme with 8% company contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Group income protection scheme
• Death in service insurance
• Up to 5% share matching scheme
• Company enhanced Maternity/Adoption & Paternity leave.
• + Much more

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.

At Saab, we constantly look ahead and push boundaries for what is considered technically possible. We collaborate with colleagues around the world who all share our challenge – to make the world a safer place. Saab is a global defense and security company operating in the fields of air, land and naval defense, civil security and commercial aeronautics. We number approximately 26,100 employees and have operations on all continents. Technologically we are leaders in many areas, and one-fifth of our earnings are spent on research and development. Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each person’s needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work.

Saab values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, or disability status.