Engineering Manager – Research and Innovation
About the role:
Join Saab Australia as an Engineering Manager – Core R&D!
Shape the Future of Defence Innovation!
Saab Australia is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager – Core R&D to lead the planning and delivery of research and development activities across a diverse portfolio of capability areas.
Working closely with internal stakeholders, research partners and academia, you will drive the execution of strategic R&D initiatives that support future capability development and innovation outcomes across Saab Australia.
This role is suited to a technically credible engineering leader who can guide multidisciplinary teams from early-stage concept development through to capability demonstrators and transition into the product lifecycle.
We work in a fast-paced, demanding, challenging as well as time sensitive environment; we’re diverse, global, resilient, adaptable and agile, therefore the ability to solve problems is critical.
Along with satisfaction & rewards that comes with working for a global defence company, you can expect a generous salary, a range of outstanding benefits & an inclusive working environment.
This position also offers Flexible working options and a 9-Day Fortnight.
The Role
As the Engineering Manager – Core R&D, you will provide day-to-day leadership of a team of assigned engineers and seconded resources, ensuring allocated R&D activities are planned, governed and delivered in accordance with approved objectives, schedules and budgets.
You will work closely with the Research and Innovation Manager to shape and execute a program of work under Saab Australia’s R&D framework, while maintaining oversight of technical progress, stakeholder engagement, documentation, risk management and transition of research outputs into product development pathways
Key responsibilities:
- Support the definition, planning and documentation of R&D activities across a portfolio of strategic capability initiatives.
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams delivering research outcomes, ensuring alignment to agreed scope, schedule, budget and business objectives.
- Guide R&D activities from concept exploration through prototyping, demonstration and transition into the product lifecycle process.
- Oversee the preparation and maintenance of project and engineering artefacts.
- Monitor technical progress, identify issues and risks, and drive mitigation strategies or task replanning where required.
- Provide engineering leadership to ensure technical solutions are innovative, practical, cost-effective and aligned to strategic goals.
- Oversee testing, trials and validation activities, ensuring outcomes are analysed in the context of technical performance, research value and future capability application.
- Engage with internal stakeholders, industry, government and academic partners to support collaborative research outcomes and effective delivery.
- Contribute to the ongoing leadership of R&D outputs through the product lifecycle, ensuring continued alignment with business and customer needs.
- Manage and support the performance, development and engagement of allocated team members.
About you
You are a collaborative engineering leader with experience delivering complex technical outcomes in R&D, advanced technology or product development environments. You bring a balance of technical depth, structured problem-solving and people leadership, with the ability to coordinate multiple streams of work and maintain momentum across a portfolio of activities.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience in the design, development and delivery of complex engineering solutions.
- Experience delivering research outcomes through rapid prototyping, iterative development or incremental delivery approaches.
- Proven ability to lead technical teams across multiple concurrent activities and deliver outcomes aligned to business priorities.
- Experience in team leadership, personnel management and day-to-day engineering coordination.
- Strong program oversight capability, including monitoring, reporting and managing technical delivery against schedule and budget.
- Experience working with a broad stakeholder group across industry, government and academia to deliver collaborative outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex technical challenges, work through delivery roadblocks and implement practical, fit-for-purpose solutions in a dynamic environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Personal Attributes:
- Self-aware, accountable, and committed to personal and team development.
- Excellent communicator, able to set clear expectations and provide feedback.
- A highly driven and engaging leader who brings energy, motivates others and drives successful delivery through collaboration and accountability.
As Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an NV1 clearance. Information including past and present nationality and citizenship may be requested to check eligibility for access to materials controlled under various export control regimes, including ITAR.
At Saab, you’ll be part of a team delivering advanced technologies and future-focused capabilities that make a real contribution to Australia’s defence and security landscape. This is an opportunity to shape R&D direction, lead talented technical teams and help translate innovation into meaningful operational outcomes.
If you are passionate about engineering leadership, applied research and developing next-generation capability, we encourage you to apply.
About us
Saab Australia is a defence, security and cyber solutions provider, specialising in the development and integration of major defence and security systems. For over 30 years in Australia, we have built a reputation for delivering complex systems integration projects that provide proven and advanced capabilities to keep us ahead of today’s challenges.
From combat, communications, security and underwater systems to mixed reality, cyber security and deployable health solutions, our extensive portfolio of products and services provide high-technology solutions for defence forces and civil industries across the globe.
Apply today to join our crew and deliver solutions with purpose.
Culture and benefits
We employ over 1000 Australians and are committed to fostering a culture of excellence and enriching the employee experience.
By joining Saab, you’ll be a part of a collaborative and supportive organisation, where your professional growth and work-life balance are emphasised. You’ll work within an innovative and vibrant workplace, while having the opportunity to develop a long-term, fulfilling career.
As a valued team member of Saab Australia, you’ll access a variety of perks and benefits to support you and your family including:
- 6 weeks paid leave each year
- 14% Superannuation
- Free Income Protection Insurance
- Flexible working options
- Access to the Saab shares matching scheme
- Access to MySaab; our online store offering everything from cash back at hundreds of stores to discounts from exclusive partners
For further information about a career at Saab, visit the page adjacent:
https://www.saab.com/markets/australia/careers/saab-life
Applications
Click ‘Apply’ to submit your CV and cover letter in support of your application. Kindly observe that this is an ongoing recruitment process and in exceptional circumstances, the position might be filled before the closing date of the advertisement. We encourage applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
By submitting an application to Saab, you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities including, but not limited to: reference checks, Australian Federal Police check, verification of working rights and qualifications, sanctions screening and a pre-employment medical declaration.
Saab Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to apply. We also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds.
Saab Australia is a nationally recognised Veteran Employer of Choice and welcomes the interest of ex-service members, veterans and their families