At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software engineering to deliver innovative solutions in defence and security.
- Company: Join Saab UK, a leader in defence technology with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in software engineering and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
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.
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 Head of Software Engineering is the focal point for software engineering capability within BlueBear, a Saab company, and is accountable for the performance, development and growth of the Software Engineering function. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of software solutions across research, product development and customer programmes, encompassing mission systems, embedded software, autonomy-enabling technologies, DevOps capabilities and supporting engineering infrastructure. Working closely with Engineering, Product, Programme and Saab stakeholders, the role is responsible for defining software strategy, developing engineering capability, improving engineering maturity and fostering a high-performing engineering culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Software Engineering function to ensure successful delivery of projects and products to agreed cost, schedule, quality and performance targets.
- Define and execute the Software Engineering strategy in alignment with business objectives and future product roadmaps.
- Provide leadership, governance and technical direction across all software engineering activities.
- Support the definition and execution of the organisation's long-term technical vision.
- Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the engineering organisation.
Engineering Capability & Delivery:
- Oversee software development activities across R&D programmes, product development and customer-funded projects.
- Ensure effective planning, prioritisation and utilisation of software engineering resources.
- Establish and maintain software engineering metrics and performance indicators.
- Lead software delivery reviews and ensure effective management of technical risks, dependencies and issues.
- Support software-related customer demonstrations, trials and technical reviews.
Architecture, Quality & Engineering Excellence:
- Establish and maintain software engineering standards, processes and governance.
- Ensure appropriate architectural oversight across software products and technology platforms.
- Champion best practices in software design, testing, configuration management and release management.
- Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, safety and security.
- Promote the adoption of automated testing, CI/CD, DevOps and modern software development practices.
- Manage technical debt and ensure long-term maintainability of software products and frameworks.
People Leadership:
- Lead, coach, mentor and develop the Software Engineering team and individuals' technical growth.
- Build organisational capability through recruitment, succession planning and skills development.
- Conduct performance management, objective setting and career development activities.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing engineering culture.
DevOps & Engineering Infrastructure:
- Ensure the software organisation has effective tooling, development environments and engineering infrastructure.
- Support continual improvement of source control, build systems, CI/CD pipelines, test automation and deployment processes.
- Oversee software development tooling, licensing and open-source governance.
- Drive improvements in developer productivity, engineering efficiency and operational resilience.
Business Development & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Support business development activities through technical leadership, customer engagement and bid support.
- Contribute to proposal development, technical strategy and solution definition activities.
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners.
- Identify opportunities across Saab and external organisations that can expand BlueBear's software capability and business opportunities.
- Represent the Software Engineering function at internal and external reviews, workshops and technical forums.
As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it. 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.
Head of Software Engineering employer: Saab UK
Saab UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the aerospace sector. Located in Bedfordshire, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and engaging projects in unmanned systems. Join us to be part of a team that values safety, creativity, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in cutting-edge aerospace solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Saab UK or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Saab UK.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Saab UK.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Saab UK that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Saab UK.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Saab UK and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Saab UK
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Saab UK uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
