Senior Mechanical Engineer

SAAB; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

8% workplace pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Death in service insurance

Share matching scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption leave

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bedford to provide technical leadership in mechanical and aerospace development for unmanned systems. The role requires ownership of complex design tasks, mentoring engineers, and supporting product development.

Key responsibilities include leading design activities, conducting engineering analysis, and managing technical risks. The position offers comprehensive benefits including 30 days annual leave and a workplace pension scheme with an 8%

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in mechanical design within aerospace, UAV, defence or similar sectors.
• Strong understanding of metallic and composite structures and manufacturing methods.
• Knowledge of airworthiness and flight test processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development activities across multiple aerospace programmes.
• Provide technical leadership, design reviews, and mentoring for engineers.
• Conduct engineering analysis including FEA and design trade studies.
• Manage technical risks and engineering documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

SolidWorks

Engineering analysis

Communication

CAD architecture

UAV experience

Composite structures

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Tools

ANSYS

Nastran

CATIA

Job description

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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:

A Senior Mechanical Engineer provides technical leadership across mechanical and aerospace development activities for unmanned systems. The role owns complex design tasks, mentors engineers, and supports product development from concept through flight test and production. This position sits within BlueBear - A Saab Company and is based in Bedford.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development activities across multiple aerospace programmes.
• Provide technical leadership, design reviews and mentoring for engineers.
• Own CAD architecture, detailed design, drawing release and configuration control using SolidWorks.
• Lead integration of propulsion systems, payloads and aircraft structures.
• Conduct engineering analysis including FEA (e.g. ANSYS/Nastran), hand calculations and design trade studies.
• Support manufacturing, assembly, verification, flight test and certification activities.
• Manage technical risks, DFMEA activities and engineering documentation.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to translate requirements into solutions.
• Support estimates, planning and work package delivery.
• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in mechanical design within aerospace, UAV, defence or similar sectors.
• Advanced SolidWorks or CATIA capability including surfacing, assemblies, drawing generation and GD&T, plus experience working within a PLM/PDM system.
• Experience leading products from concept through manufacture and test.
• Strong understanding of metallic and composite structures and manufacturing methods.
• Build, integrate and test prototype/rig hardware in the workshop
• Support fault-finding and rework on aircraft/test articles directly
• Experience with BS8888.
• Experience with DFMA, FMEA and engineering governance processes.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor engineers.
• Strong communication and customer-facing skills.
• Experience with eVTOL, UAS or advanced air mobility systems.
• Knowledge of airworthiness and flight test processes.
• Experience in a regulated defence environment and eligibility for UK security clearance (SC).

Saab UK Company Benefits:

• 30 days annual leave
• Workplace pension scheme with 8% company contribution
• Private medical insurance
• 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.

Regardless of whether you value cutting edge technology, creativity or an innovative environment, everyone at Saab contributes to keeping people and society safe.