Job Description

Want to influence the bigger picture? At Saab, you can realise amazing innovations that keep people and societies safe. Together, we can truly make an impact – and your part matters.

Your Role

The Technical Lead – Combat Systems Naval is the senior architect and de‑facto Technical Program Manager for a naval Combat‑System program. You will act as the central technical hub that steers the project from concept through to delivery, with a particular focus on systems‑of‑systems integration and Technical Authority function for each CS subsystem (weapons, sensors, command & control, communications, etc.).

Working side‑by‑side with the Program Management team, you will:

• Define the technical scope à translate the customer’s combat‑system requirements into a coherent, modular architecture that can be built from existing products and components wherever possible.
• Drive CS integration across the whole ship platform à coordinate the physical, software and data‑link integration of subsystems, ensuring they interoperate reliably under real‑time, safety‑critical conditions.
• Lead the Technical Authority team for CS system responsible à The depth of the authority work varies with the subsystem’s TRL, from detailed design control on low‑TRL concepts to configuration and change management on high‑TRL, production‑ready subsystems.
• Lead the multidisciplinary engineering team, allocate workà monitor progress, mentor specialists and technical‑authority groups.
• Manage technical risk and changeàidentify integration‑related risks, assess their impact on schedule, cost and performance, and implement mitigation or contingency actions.
• Control documentation and quality à ensure that the design, interface and verification documentation is complete, up‑to‑date and compliant with internal and external standards.
• Promote reuse and efficiency àactively seek opportunities to leverage proven components, standardised interfaces and legacy technology to reduce development time and cost while maintaining high performance.

Your Profile

We are looking for you with a Master of Science degree in Engineering and with proven experience 5+ years as a Technical Project Manager or Lead Engineer on complex defence or aerospace systems, naval combat is a big plus. Solid experience in system-of-system integration together with a strong systems‑engineering mindset, you can read a block diagram and instantly see the hidden dependencies. Here you are the bridge between the deep‑technical world of sensors, weapons and software, and the strategic, customer‑facing side of a naval combat system, all while keeping the conversation engaging, clear and purpose‑driven. You excel in this role by understanding the importance of establishing a project scope using existing products and components as far as possible and you align requirements from customer and other stakeholders with a product roadmap in mind for a system-to-system integration. You are stimulated by working with large systems and complex challenges and can thrive in a fast‑paced, multi‑national team, English fluency is required.

To thrive in this role, we believe you are a senior and confident team player who enjoys working in a dynamic, project-based environment where collaboration, ownership, and commitment are key to success. You naturally build trust within teams and actively contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. With strong interpersonal skills, you are comfortable building relationships both internally and in client-facing contexts, and you are motivated by working closely with others toward shared goals. You demonstrate a high level of ownership and engagement in your work. You take responsibility, drive progress, and ensure high quality even in demanding situations. The role involves working with complex projects and high-expectation clients, requiring you to remain composed, solution-oriented, and constructive under pressure.

Prerequisite skills:

• Experience working with system-of-systems integration
• Experience working with safety-critical systems
• Experience working with defense products and/or products for the marine domain

Success factor summary:

• Ability to produce clear technical documentation, executive‑level briefings and maintain effective stakeholder dialogue.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, negotiate with senior stakeholders and drive consensus.
• Experience working with international partners, OEMs and/or customers across different defence ecosystems

This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.

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 26,100 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. Read more about us here