S

Saab

Global defense contractor supplying fighter jets

Senior Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Full-TimeDeadline 12/25/26
$115.7k - $150.5k
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Grayling, MI, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Process EngineeringManufacturing Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, 6 years with a master's degree, or 3 years with a PhD; equivalent experience is also accepted.
  • Strong experience in manufacturing process development, optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex engineering projects from concept through implementation and production.
  • Proficiency with engineering documentation, data analysis, and standard manufacturing engineering tools.
  • Strong technical communication, presentation, influencing, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to independently determine appropriate engineering methods, procedures, and evaluation criteria for complex assignments.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
  • Candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Responsibilities
  • Lead technical discussions and drive alignment among stakeholders with differing priorities, requirements, or perspectives.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify business needs, resolve complex issues, and develop effective manufacturing solutions.
  • Develop and improve manufacturing standards, procedures, work instructions, and engineering practices.
  • Develop testing, validation, and evaluation methods to determine the effectiveness and capability of new or modified manufacturing processes.
  • Track project performance, identify risks and barriers, and coordinate appropriate actions to maintain progress toward business objectives.
  • Apply Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Lead equipment selection, specification, installation, qualification, and process validation activities.
  • Develop and optimize processes to improve safety, quality, productivity, capacity, cost, and overall equipment effectiveness.
  • Lead manufacturing engineering projects from concept through implementation, validation, and production launch.
  • Translate complex technical issues and engineering recommendations into clear business impacts, risks, opportunities, and actionable decisions.
  • Evaluate manufacturing processes and data to identify opportunities for process capability, efficiency, and cost improvements.
  • Provide technical leadership and subject-matter expertise for manufacturing processes and engineering projects.
  • Use manufacturing data and performance metrics to drive fact-based decisions and continuous improvement.
  • Identify and implement new technologies, methods, and best practices to improve manufacturing capabilities.
  • Communicate project status, technical risks, recommendations, and results to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Adapt communication and presentation styles to effectively communicate technical information to engineers, operators, management, and executive leadership.
  • Take accountability for assigned project or team deliverables and ensure commitments are achieved within established timelines and requirements.
Desired Qualifications
  • Knowledge of statistical analysis and process control methods.
  • Experience with simulation software or facility layout tools.
  • Experience in defense manufacturing environments.
  • Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
  • Experience implementing automation tooling and equipment in a manufacturing environment.

About the company

Saab is a Swedish defense and security company that supplies governments with advanced weapons, sensors, and protection across air, sea, and cyberspace. Its main offerings include Gripen fighter jets, radar and surveillance systems, and unmanned underwater vehicles. Saab’s products work by integrating sophisticated airframes and engines with cutting-edge sensors, data links, and control software to detect, track, and defend against threats; its unmanned underwater vehicles perform reconnaissance and mine countermeasures, while its cybersecurity and defense systems protect networks and critical infrastructure. Saab differentiates itself through its long history in military aviation, a portfolio that spans air, sea, and cyber capabilities, and a focus on integrated, turnkey defense solutions rather than consumer products. The company’s goal is to be a trusted global partner for governments, delivering reliable, comprehensive defense and security technology and services.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Stockholms kommun, Sweden

Founded

1937

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 order backlog hit SEK318 billion after Poland’s SEK47 billion submarine contract.
  • Saab booked 16 Gripen E fighters for Ukraine and won Canada’s GlobalEye selection.
  • Q2 2026 organic growth neared 30%, with EBIT margin expanding to 11%.

What critics are saying

  • Canada’s GlobalEye review exposed capability gaps, risking delays, redesigns, and reputational damage.
  • A26 deliveries run to 2038, leaving Saab exposed to execution slippage and cost overruns.
  • Saab’s growth depends heavily on war-driven demand; any Ukraine ceasefire cuts urgency sharply.

What makes Saab unique

  • Gripen, GlobalEye, and A26 give Saab full-spectrum air, sea, and ISR exposure.
  • Saab’s NATO and Canadian partnerships embed it in allied procurement networks.
  • Its 2026 production ramp and new Naval unit deepen manufacturing breadth.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • Bereavement Leave
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Student Loan Assistance

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 24th, 2026
Saab Q3 revenue jumps 29.5% to $1.9B as $33.9B backlog tests 46x P/E valuation

Saab reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of SEK 20,553m, up 29.5% from SEK 15,871m a year earlier. Net income rose 45.1% to SEK 1,389m, and basic earnings per share climbed to SEK 2.58 from SEK 1.78. The EBIT margin improved to 9.5% from 8.7%. Order backlog grew to SEK 364b, with about SEK 102b due to convert next year, while cash conversion reached 77%. Nine-month organic growth topped 27%, but the share price barely moved. The stock trades at SEK646.5, a trailing P/E of 46.3x, well above a discounted cash flow estimate. Profit drags remain. The T-7 trainer costs slightly more than SEK 100m per quarter, and Naval booked SEK 200m of bid-related costs.

PR Newswire
Oct 23rd, 2026
Saab Q3 orders jump to $6.1B on Ukraine Gripen deal, as sales rise 30.6% organically

Saab reported strong third-quarter results on October 23, driven by major defence contracts. Order bookings rose to SEK 65,825 million from SEK 20,861 million a year earlier. Big orders included SEK 24.6 billion for Gripen E jets for Ukraine, SEK 10.1 billion for GlobalEye to an undisclosed customer, and SEK 8.7 billion for systems for German frigates. Sales reached SEK 20,553 million, up from SEK 15,871 million, with organic growth of 30.6%. EBIT rose 42% to SEK 1,945 million, and net income climbed to SEK 1,432 million from SEK 975 million. Operational cash flow jumped to SEK 6,785 million from SEK 142 million. Chief executive officer Micael Johansson said the strong order backlog positions Saab "well for continued growth.

CNBC
Oct 23rd, 2026
Saab orders triple to $6.6B on Ukraine Gripen jet deal, beating forecasts

Saab, the Swedish defence group, reported third-quarter orders of 65.8 billion Swedish kronor (around $6.6 billion), more than triple the 20.9 billion kronor of a year earlier. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected 56.4 billion kronor. A contract worth 24.6 billion kronor for 16 Gripen E fighter jets for Ukraine, signed in June, was booked in the quarter. Sales reached 20.6 billion kronor, ahead of the 20 billion expected. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) came in at 1.95 billion kronor, beating the forecast of 1.9 billion. Chief executive officer Micael Johansson said demand was reflected in major awards, including Gripen for Ukraine, GlobalEye and an order related to Germany's new frigates.

PR Newswire
Oct 16th, 2026
Saab and Swedish authorities launch large uncrewed underwater vehicle within a year of contract award

Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces have built and launched a demonstrator for a Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LUUV). The work took less than a year from contract award to sea trials. The first phase is complete. The next phase is expected to focus on more advanced capabilities, and the results will support further development of software, sensors, and autonomous functions. Saab credits its software-centric approach and its Autonomous Ocean Core control system, combined with Swedish expertise in submarine design and sensor integration. The vehicle is meant to operate alongside platforms such as submarines. FMV now leads the project, which will inform Swedish decisions on buying and using autonomous underwater systems. "The fact that we have also been able to develop and test the system in such a short timeframe demonstrates the strength of the collaboration," said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab's business area Naval.

Robodaily
Oct 1st, 2026
Australian aerospace startup Hypersonix raises $46M to develop world's first hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft

Brisbane-based Hypersonix Launch Systems has raised $46 million in Series A funding led by UK's High Tor Capital, with participation from Saab, RKKVC, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, and Queensland Investment Corporation. The company develops reusable hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft for defence and aerospace applications. Founded in 2019, Hypersonix employs 45 specialists. Its SPARTAN scramjet engine, invented by co-founder Dr Michael Smart, reaches Mach 12 with no moving parts and eliminates CO2 emissions by using green hydrogen instead of kerosene. The funding will support a NASA-backed test flight of the DART AE vehicle under the US Department of Defense HyCAT programme. Hypersonix was selected as the first HyCAT contract from over 60 companies. Proceeds will also finance manufacturing facilities in Queensland and development of VISR, an 8-metre reusable aircraft with four SPARTAN engines.