Full-Time

Director Systems Engineering

Integration and Test

Updated on 9/3/2026

Deadline 9/10/26
Saab

Saab

10,001+ employees

Global defense and security technology company

Compensation Overview

$189k - $255.1k/yr

+ Employee stock purchase opportunities

No H1B Sponsorship

East Syracuse, NY, USA

In Person

Travel up to 10% is required for program and business development efforts.

US Citizenship Required

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Engineering Management (1)

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or a related field is required.
  • At least 18 years of experience in a technical or engineering environment, including at least 5 years in an engineering leadership role focused on engineering management and leading other people managers, is required.
  • Subject matter expertise in systems engineering and integration and test is required.
  • Experience building, scaling, and leading a high-performing engineering function is required.
  • The ability to contribute to development strategy and lead strategic initiatives supporting functional and business objectives is required.
  • The ability to build a high-functioning engineering team focused on business objectives is required.
  • The ability to make high-impact decisions amid uncertainty is required.
  • Experience aligning engineering strategy and execution with broader business and programmatic goals is required.
  • Experience shaping organizational direction through technical leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives is required.
  • The ability to lead through ambiguity, anticipate change, mitigate risk, and make sound high-impact decisions is required.
  • Demonstrated success developing technical talent and managing team performance is required.
  • Outstanding communication and presentation skills are required.
  • The ability to obtain a Secret-level clearance is required.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Responsibilities
  • Build and develop a team with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct the current backlog and evolve to meet anticipated future needs.
  • Instill a full life-cycle and systems-thinking mindset throughout the team.
  • Ensure that programs, research and development projects, product teams, and other projects requiring systems engineering, integration, and test personnel are sufficiently staffed.
  • Partner with senior leadership to translate business strategy into actionable systems engineering, integration, and test plans and ensure consistent execution across the function.
  • Drive organizational planning and execution, including staffing, budgeting, and resource alignment, to support multiple programs, customers, and development efforts.
  • Lead cost-estimating activities for contract proposals, independent research and development, capital expenditures, and assigned overhead budgets.
  • Recruit, retain, and assign engineering talent to meet evolving organizational and timeline needs.
  • Manage the annual performance review, compensation review, and career development processes for the organization.
  • Develop management and technical talent through training opportunities, job-related work, knowledge sharing, and development planning.
  • Provide technical oversight, guidance, mentorship, and coaching to assigned personnel.
  • Develop technical solutions, assess technical risk, and identify risk-mitigation strategies within the assigned discipline.
  • Collaborate with the Functional Engineering Leadership Team to identify opportunities for growth, drive continuous improvement, and implement best practices.
  • Foster continuous improvement in the quality, cost, and schedule performance of systems development.
  • Interface with Saab functions including Security, Information and Communications Technology, Human Resources, and Operations.
Desired Qualifications
  • A master's degree is preferred.
  • Aerospace and defense experience is preferred.

Saab is a global defense and security company that develops fighter jets, submarines, radars, and other advanced systems for military and civil protection. Its products work through the integration of high-performance hardware, software, and sensors, such as Gripen avionics and radar networks that detect targets and guide responses. It differentiates itself with deep in-house capabilities, a long defense heritage, and ongoing investment in AI and digital security. Its goal is to help nations protect security and sovereignty by delivering reliable technologies and comprehensive services worldwide.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Stockholms kommun, Sweden

Founded

1937

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 order intake reached SEK 68.4 billion, driven by Poland and Ukraine.
  • Saab is adding factories in Michigan and India, expanding delivery capacity globally.
  • NIB and other state-backed financing funded AI, autonomy, and command-and-control R&D.

What critics are saying

  • Management called supply chain the biggest bottleneck, limiting faster growth through 2026.
  • Saab booked a SEK 200 million naval write-down after losing Sweden's frigate program.
  • Any Gripen or GlobalEye delivery failure would cripple Saab's export credibility for years.

What makes Saab unique

  • Gripen, GlobalEye, and submarines give Saab sovereign platforms across air, sea, and surveillance.
  • Saab's NATO and Canada selections validate export appeal beyond Sweden's domestic market.
  • Its 2026 backlog hit SEK 318 billion, locking in multi-year production visibility.

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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

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Company Equity

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Jul 21st, 2026
Saab AB hits record $30.5B order backlog with 30% organic growth and 11% EBIT margin

Saab AB reported record results in Q2 2026, with an order backlog reaching SEK318 billion and order intake exceeding SEK68 billion, driven by major contracts including a SEK47 billion submarine deal with Poland and Gripen fighter contracts with Ukraine. The Swedish defence company achieved nearly 30% organic growth. EBIT margin improved to 11%, representing a 41% quarterly increase, whilst gross margin expanded by more than one percentage point year-on-year. Cash flow turned positive at SEK1 billion for the first half, compared to minus SEK1.1 billion the previous year. The company increased R&D investment by SEK700 million and maintained its BBB+ credit rating from S&P. Saab has been hiring approximately 3,000 employees annually to scale production capacity. However, the Naval division recorded a SEK200 million write-down after failing to secure the Swedish frigate programme.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 17th, 2026
Saab Q2 net income rises 41% to $224M on higher sales and operating earnings

Swedish defence company Saab reported higher second-quarter earnings on Friday, driven by stronger operating profit and increased sales. Net income at the fighter jet maker rose to 2.17 billion Swedish kronor ($224 million) from 1.54 billion kronor a year earlier. Earnings per share increased to 3.96 kronor from 2.83 kronor. EBITDA climbed to 3.77 billion kronor from 2.83 billion kronor in the prior-year period. Operating income rose to 2.79 billion kronor from 1.98 billion kronor. Sales increased to 25.45 billion kronor from 19.79 billion kronor in the second quarter of last year.

Sifted
Jun 17th, 2026
French battlefield software startup Comand AI raises €32m from Blossom Capital, Saab

The startup last raised funding in late 2024 and aims to expand into new domains like air and maritime

Associated Press
Jun 1st, 2026
Last Saab factory cars sell for over $95K at Trollhättan auction

Seven cars from the defunct Saab factory in Trollhättan, Sweden, have sold for a combined 1.035 million kronor (approximately €90,000) at auction through Klaravik. The collection included three Saab vehicles and four Nevs electric cars. A 2018 Nevs electric car fetched the highest price at 252,000 kronor, whilst the three final Saab pre-production cars sold for between 142,000 and 177,000 kronor. All vehicles were purchased by Swedish private individuals or companies. The auction attracted international attention, with coverage in 47 countries and hundreds of Saab enthusiasts gathering in Trollhättan for a ceremonial event, including visitors from the United States and across Europe. All but one car achieved six-figure sale prices.

Associated Press
May 27th, 2026
Canada chooses Saab-Bombardier surveillance planes over US options for Arctic defence

Canada will purchase early warning radar planes from Sweden's Saab and Canada's Bombardier, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday, choosing the option over two American alternatives from Boeing and L3Harris. The government is negotiating to acquire Saab's Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, built on Bombardier's Global 6500 platform with 20% US content. The decision aligns with Carney's strategy to diversify military spending away from the United States, with a cap ensuring no more than 70 cents of every defence dollar goes to America. Canada joined a major EU defence fund last year and is seeking six radar aircraft capable of detecting threats across the Arctic. Canada is also reviewing its planned purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, exploring alternatives including Saab's Gripen, which would be assembled in Canada.