Mechanical Design Engineer 3m FTC

Bedford
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

Introduction

Saab in UK is growing rapidly, with over 500 colleagues across eight sites. We bring together Swedish heritage and British expertise to drive innovation in areas such as software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training. Joining Saab in UK means contributing to the security and resilience of society while building a career with real scope for personal and professional growth.

What you will be part of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 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

This role is part of Saab Bluebear Business in Bedfordshire. Your role as a Mechanical Design Engineer (Aero) will be to support Head of Engineering on multidisciplinary design challenges involved in the development of unmanned systems. This represents an exciting opportunity to provide technical leadership of innovative products including requirement management, design, integration, manufacturing and testing.

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-day CAD design and management of multidisciplinary design requirements.
Experienced solidworks user, solid modelling, surfacing, assemblies, detailing, BoM creation.
First-pass analysis (basic FEA, basic CFD) of implementable design solutions using analysis suites as part of CAD packages (preferably solidworks).
Technical management of specific project WPs including task allocation and resource management.
Define the design, integration and test activities during development of both R&D and product contracts.
Product design innovation, based on research into technical plans for prototypes using Computer Assisted Engineering (CAE) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.
Select suitable manufacturing methods for rapid prototyping, incl. wet-layup for developmental composite parts.
Select suitable manufacturing methods and materials for metallic containers and structures.
Preparing user requirements, concept of operations (CONOPS), technical specifications, design specifications, product specifications, commissioning plans, DFMEAs and risk assessments.
Payload integration, with understanding of impacts on aircraft performance and of holistic optimisation at aircraft design stage.
All-Electric Propulsion System integration into new or existing airframes (incl. eVTOL)
Understanding of customer requirements, challenges and expectations.
Explore new technology trends and apply in appropriate scenarios to deliver value to team, customer and Organization.
Work with wider project delivery teams to develop on-time, on-budget solutions.
Technical Point of Contact and liaison for key Suppliers/Partners.
Conducting timely reviews with team members on the work assigned and resolve if there are any issues / concerns on the deliverables.
Ensure quality of deliverables to the satisfaction of the customer.
Responsible for WP adherence to schedule, costs and review of risks.
Assist Program Manager in estimation, dependency identification, developing project plan and tracking the progress.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

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.

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

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer - Fuel System

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Systems Installation Design Engineer

Tooling Design Engineer (Stress) - Submarines

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Space Industry Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UK Space Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in the space industry — whether that’s spacecraft engineering, mission operations, space software, satellite systems, ground segment integration or space data analytics — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools, platforms and technologies mentioned in job adverts. One role wants experience with CAD and FEA software. Another asks for experience with GNSS simulation. A third mentions mission scheduling tools, RF link analysis suites, Python, C++, continuous integration — and it seems there’s always another acronym to learn. With so much listed, many candidates fall into the trap of thinking they must master every tool under the sun before they’ll be taken seriously. Here’s the honest truth most UK space hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you’ve heard of every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real space problems, explain your reasoning clearly, and deliver results. Tools matter, but they always serve a purpose: achieving mission goals, improving reliability, reducing risk, delivering data, or enabling collaboration. Tools are enablers — not trophies. So how many tools do you actually need to know to get a space job? The answer is much fewer and far more strategic than you might think. This article breaks down: what tools employers really expect which ones are core across most space roles which ones are role-specific how to present your tool proficiency on your CV and in interviews

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Space Sector Job Applications (UK Guide)

The space industry is one of the most exciting and multidisciplinary sectors in technology and engineering today. Whether you’re applying for roles in spacecraft design, aerospace systems, robotics, satellite communications, mission operations, payload engineering, space software, ground systems, or scientific research, your application must quickly show hiring managers that you are relevant, technically credible and ready to deliver. In the UK space jobs market — spanning organisations from startups to defence primes, agencies, research labs and commercial constellations — hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. They scan applications rapidly, often making a judgement about whether to read further within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in space sector applications, how they assess CVs and portfolios, why specific signals matter, and how you can position your experience to stand out on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk .

The Skills Gap in UK Space Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

The UK space sector is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing high-tech industries in the world. From Earth observation and satellite communications to space robotics, launch systems and deep-space exploration, the breadth of opportunity is enormous. The UK Government’s ambition to capture a significant share of the global space economy has driven investment, policy support and a wave of innovative companies — both established and start-up. Yet despite strong academic programmes and a pipeline of graduates with relevant degrees, employers in the UK space sector consistently report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not prepared for real-world space industry jobs. This is not a matter of intelligence or motivation. Rather, it reflects a growing skills gap between what universities are teaching and what employers actually need from space professionals. In this article, we’ll explore why that gap exists, what universities are doing well, where they fall short, what employers want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in the UK space sector.