Electronics Manager in Bedford

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.

This role will be part of our BlueBear Business in Bedfordshire. This Electronics Manager role will assist in leading the electronics design and prototyping department, guiding overall design and supporting management of a team of electronic engineers. This role is suited to a person with extensive experience in design management with a focus on electronic design, strong leadership capability, and knowledge of safety- and mission-critical development environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Guide, manage, and develop a delivery from a team of electronic engineers (8-10 staff) across multiple programmes.
• Define team objectives and performance goals aligned with business needs.
• Foster a culture focused on engineering excellence, traceability, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Act as one of the organisational Subject Matter Experts for DO-254 processes, standards, and industry best practice.
• Maintain design assurance processes and verification traceability across safety-critical electronics developments.
• Oversee configuration control, Verification and Validation activities.
• Work cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Software, Mechanical, Test, and Programme Management teams to ensure aligned delivery.
• Support bid development, cost estimation, design planning, and reporting to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Ensure workloads, priorities, project risks, and dependencies are managed effectively to meet schedule commitments.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Essential:
• Strong project and programme management experience.
• 6-8 years experience in project management with a focus on hardware design across digital and mixed signal systems.
• Significant knowledge in detailed electronics hardware design.
• Detailed understanding of the electronics manufacturing processes.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Process driven, ability to read legislation and implement processes to ensure adherence.
• Experience managing 5+ complex projects/programmes at a time with many stakeholders.
• Excellent time management/prioritisation skills.
• Highly organised and able to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptable personality with a professional approach.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisation skills.
• Conscientious, with a proactive work ethic.
• Desirable:
• Experience working on many projects at once and managing your time effectively.
• Experience of interfacing with subcontractors.
• Experience writing VHDL or Verilog.
• Experience writing embedded C and Python.

Subject to UK MoD security clearance vetting to a minimum 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.