At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical design for unmanned systems and mentor fellow engineers.
- Company: Join Saab UK, a leader in defence and security innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and extensive design experience.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
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 Blue Bear - 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 Solid Works.
- 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 Solid Works 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 e VTOL, 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.
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Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bedford employer: SAAB
Saab UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Fareham that fosters innovation and personal growth within the defence and security sector. With a commitment to employee development, Saab provides extensive training opportunities and encourages collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring that every individual can contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge projects. The company's strong focus on safety and sustainability, combined with its global presence, makes it a rewarding place for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bedford
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like SAAB.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like SAAB love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of SAAB and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for SAAB and the Senior Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at SAAB
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at SAAB.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at SAAB.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with SAAB, making you a more appealing candidate.
