UX Designer - Mission Support System

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer - Mission Support System

Company: Saab UK

Location: Arboga, Sweden

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-11-03

Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years assumed)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design within the Mission Support System product development lifecycle, focusing on advanced ground-based support systems for the Gripen aircraft.

• Collaborate closely with architects, developers, product management, and fellow UX designers to translate complex, abstract requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Engage in all phases of product development, from operational details to long-term strategic decisions, ensuring simplicity, flexibility, stability, and reusability of system designs.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and concept development to define user needs and validate design solutions with representative end-users.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UX guidelines and participate in cross-functional UX forums to foster knowledge sharing and best practices across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Saab's Mission Support Equipment area, specifically focusing on the Mission Support System for Gripen aircraft. The primary users are pilots and mission support officers, implying a need for highly functional, reliable, and intuitive interfaces in a critical defense context. The emphasis on moving between "minutoperativa ställningstaganden" (minute operational decisions) and "långsiktiga vägvalsfrågor" (long-term strategic choices) suggests a need for a designer comfortable with both tactical execution and strategic foresight.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and create interactive prototypes and design concepts for the Mission Support System, visualizing complex functionalities and user flows.

• Provide expert UX support and consultation to various project stakeholders, including architects, developers, and product managers, ensuring design consistency and usability.

• Actively participate in and contribute to cross-functional UX forums and communities of practice within the department and across Saab.

• Maintain, update, and develop comprehensive UX guidelines and design systems to ensure a cohesive and high-quality user experience across all product iterations.

• Plan and execute usability testing sessions with representative end-users (pilots, mission support officers) to gather feedback, identify pain points, and validate design effectiveness.

• Analyze and interpret complex, often abstract, functional and non-functional requirements, translating them into user-friendly and technically feasible design solutions.

• Collaborate with requirements engineers and technical leads to quickly iterate on technical solutions based on user feedback and operational constraints.

• Drive innovation by actively exploring and proposing new ideas, challenging existing paradigms, and leveraging creativity in design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution (prototyping, testing) and strategic contribution (UX guidelines, cross-functional forums). The need to handle "partially abstract requirements" and "quality attributes" like simplicity, flexibility, and reusability indicates a strong focus on robust system design principles beyond just visual aesthetics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Digital Design, Interaction Design, UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field from a university or university college. Experience:

• Proven experience in adapting and developing traditional design processes to fit specific business needs and project contexts.

• Hands-on experience in implementation and maintenance of complex technical systems, understanding the lifecycle and challenges involved.

• Demonstrated experience with customer interactions, including understanding client needs and presenting solutions. Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of UX principles, methodologies, and best practices.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced, demonstrable experience working efficiently and effectively in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.

• User Research & Analysis: Proven ability to conduct user studies, analyze user needs, and define detailed user requirements.

• Concept Development & Prototyping: Strong skills in ideation, concept creation, and building interactive prototypes to visualize and test design concepts.

• Usability Testing: Experience in planning, executing, and analyzing results from user testing sessions with representative user groups.

• Design Process Management: Experience in working with and adapting traditional design processes.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to effectively collaborate with and support diverse stakeholders across technical and product teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the defense or aerospace industry, understanding the unique constraints and requirements of such environments.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and experience working within Agile teams.

• Knowledge of system architecture principles and how UX design integrates with technical frameworks.

• Experience with design systems and their implementation in large-scale projects.

• Understanding of security clearance requirements and their implications for design and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, traditional design processes, and user studies points to a candidate who can execute the full UX design lifecycle. Experience with complex technical systems and customer interaction suggests a need for a designer who understands the practicalities of implementation and client needs, beyond pure theoretical design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX design process for complex technical systems. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Figma Work Samples: Specific examples of your work within Figma, including wireframes, interactive prototypes, user flow diagrams, and any contributions to design systems or style guides.

• User Research Artifacts: Examples of user research outputs, such as personas, user journey maps, usability test reports, and analysis of user feedback.

• Problem-Solving Examples: Demonstrations of how you have tackled abstract requirements and translated them into simple, flexible, and maintainable design solutions.

• Collaboration Evidence: Examples that illustrate your collaboration with developers, architects, and product managers, showcasing your ability to integrate UX into the broader development workflow.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of your ability to document design decisions, user flows, and interaction patterns clearly and comprehensively.

• Examples of how you have contributed to or maintained UX guidelines and design systems.

• Documentation related to the planning and execution of user testing, including test plans and outcome reports.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize the ability to handle complex technical requirements and demonstrate a structured, adaptable design process. Specific examples of Figma work, user research outcomes, and how designs were translated into functional systems are crucial. The ability to document and maintain design guidelines is also a key expectation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on Saab's presence in Sweden and the mid-level experience required for this UX Designer role, a competitive annual salary range is estimated between SEK 450,000 - SEK 650,000. This range is subject to variation based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits:

• Learning & Innovation Days: Dedicated time for personal and professional development, allowing exploration of new technologies and ideas.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Programs: Access to benefits aimed at supporting employee well-being.

• Pension and Insurance Schemes: Standard Swedish employee benefits including robust pension plans and insurance coverage.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Ample vacation days and holiday leave.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Support for training, conferences, and skill enhancement relevant to UX design and product development.

• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential support services for personal and work-related challenges.

• Relocation Assistance: Potential support for candidates relocating to Arboga, Sweden.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While core working hours are expected, Saab generally offers flexibility in scheduling to accommodate work-life balance, provided operational needs and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical mid-level UX designer compensation in Sweden, considering the defense industry's compensation benchmarks. The benefits are aligned with standard offerings for large Swedish corporations, with a specific highlight on Saab's "Learning & Innovation Days" as a unique perk for fostering creativity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense & Security, Aerospace, Technology. Saab operates at the forefront of developing advanced technological solutions for national defense and security, contributing to a safer and more secure world.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Saab has over 19,000 employees globally). This implies structured processes, significant resources, and opportunities for career progression within a global organization.

Founded: 1937. With a long history, Saab has established a strong reputation for innovation, reliability, and technological excellence in its respective sectors.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of the Mission Support Equipment area, specifically within the Mission Support System development team.

• This team is described as a "vasst utvecklingsteam" (sharp development team), indicating a high-performing, collaborative environment.

• The role involves close collaboration with architects, developers, product management, and other UX designers, suggesting a cross-functional and integrated team structure.

• Reporting likely falls within a product development or engineering management hierarchy, with a direct line to UX leadership or a senior design role. Methodology:

• The team works with advanced products and complex systems, implying a rigorous development process that likely incorporates elements of Agile methodologies, given industry standards.

• Emphasis is placed on translating abstract requirements into tangible design solutions, suggesting a methodical approach to requirements analysis and solution design.

• Continuous contact with requirements providers ensures feedback loops are integrated into the design and development process.

• Regular "Learning & Innovation Days" indicate a culture that encourages experimentation, creativity, and proactive problem-solving.

Company Website: https://www.saab.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Saab's culture is rooted in innovation, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose ("creating a safer and more secure world"). The large company size suggests a structured environment, while the specific team context points to a focused, high-performance unit working on critical technology. The mention of "Learning & Innovation Days" is a key cultural indicator for candidates seeking continuous development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level (2-5 years of experience assumed), requiring a solid foundation in UX design principles and practical application. It offers the opportunity to move beyond execution to influencing design strategy and process within the team.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report into a product development or engineering management structure, likely with a direct manager overseeing the development team. Collaboration will extend upwards to product leadership and across to technical specialists.

Operations Impact: As a UX Designer on the Mission Support System, your work directly impacts the operational effectiveness and efficiency of pilots and mission support officers. By creating intuitive and robust interfaces, you contribute to mission success, safety, and the overall operational readiness of critical defense assets like the Gripen aircraft. This is a high-impact role where design directly influences performance in high-stakes environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX design for complex technical systems, potentially specializing in areas like human-machine interfaces (HMI) for aerospace or defense applications.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior UX Designer role, leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy at a broader organizational level.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of system architecture, software development lifecycles, and defense industry nuances, enabling more integrated design contributions.

• Process Improvement: Lead efforts to refine and optimize UX design processes within the team and across the department, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

• Innovation: Leverage "Learning & Innovation Days" to explore emerging UX technologies, methodologies, or contribute to R&D projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX Designer at Saab in this role involves deepening technical and domain expertise, taking on more strategic design responsibilities, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized roles within the company's extensive R&D structure. The impact of the role is significant due to the critical nature of the defense systems developed.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Arboga, Sweden. This suggests a traditional office environment within Saab's facilities, designed to foster collaboration and innovation among development teams.

Office Location(s): Arboga, Sweden (Kungsörsvägen 60). This location is a key hub for Saab's development activities, particularly in areas related to airborne systems and support equipment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace where close collaboration with architects, developers, and product managers is the norm. This includes regular design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional meetings.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, and potentially other software for prototyping, user research, and collaboration. The development environment will likely be sophisticated, reflecting the advanced nature of Saab's products.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with the development team, end-users (pilots, mission support officers) during testing phases, and other design professionals within Saab.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility. The nature of defense system development may occasionally require adapting to project timelines and deadlines, but the overall culture likely supports a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work environment in Arboga is crucial for fostering the close collaboration and rapid iteration expected in a complex system development project. The workspace will be equipped with the necessary tools and designed to facilitate interaction among diverse technical disciplines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A review of your application, CV, and portfolio by the recruitment team to assess fundamental qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, motivations, and understanding of UX principles within a technical context. This may include behavioral questions.

3. Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, specific project challenges, how you used Figma, your user research methodologies, and how you handled complex requirements. Expect questions about your problem-solving approach and collaboration skills.

4. Team/Cross-Functional Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential colleagues (developers, architects, product managers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and your ability to integrate into the existing team dynamic.

5. Final Interview (if applicable): Potentially with a senior leader to discuss your long-term career aspirations and overall fit within Saab.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions, trade-offs considered, and the quantifiable or qualitative outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Showcase wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes (ideally linked or demonstrable via screen share), and user research artifacts.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your mastery of Figma features relevant to the role, such as component libraries, prototyping capabilities, and collaboration tools.

• Emphasize Process Adaptability: Discuss how you adapted design processes to the specific needs of projects, particularly when dealing with complex technical systems or abstract requirements.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction).

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you navigated technical limitations, strict requirements, or tight deadlines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a small design challenge or asked to critique an existing interface. Prepare to think aloud, articulate your reasoning, and propose solutions based on UX principles and the context provided.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific UX challenges, such as conflicting stakeholder requirements, integrating new features, or improving an existing complex interface. Focus on your structured problem-solving approach.

• Technical Acumen: Be ready to discuss how your UX designs interface with underlying technical systems and how you collaborate with engineers to ensure feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application, process understanding, and collaborative capability. A well-structured portfolio that highlights Figma skills and the ability to navigate complex technical requirements will be critical for success. Be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and demonstrate how you contribute to a high-performing development team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required skill and will be the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency here is non-negotiable.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping features, familiarity with other specialized prototyping or animation tools could be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a direct responsibility, understanding how user behavior is tracked and analyzed post-launch is valuable. Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) could be a plus for interpreting data to inform design iterations.

• Data visualization tools might be used for presenting findings, though this is likely a secondary skill. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX design tasks for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily emphasizes Figma. Candidates should ensure their skills and portfolio prominently feature their expertise with this tool. While not explicitly required, an understanding of how UX designs integrate with the broader development and analytics stack is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, working closely with architects, developers, and product managers. The mention of "samarbete gör skillnad" (collaboration makes a difference) highlights its importance.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouragement to "släppa loss din kreativitet och innovationsförmåga" (unleash your creativity and innovation) and "våga utmana och testa nya idéer" (dare to challenge and test new ideas).

• Purpose-Driven: Contributing to a "tryggare omvärld" (safer world) through advanced technology development provides a strong sense of purpose.

• Quality & Excellence: The need to address quality attributes like simplicity, flexibility, and stability in design reflects a commitment to high standards.

• Continuous Improvement: Dedication to developing and maintaining UX guidelines and participating in learning initiatives shows a commitment to ongoing development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role thrives on tight integration with engineering, product management, and other design disciplines. Expect a highly collaborative environment where ideas are exchanged freely.

• Feedback-Driven: Regular testing with end-users and continuous interaction with stakeholders imply a culture that values feedback and iterative design.

• Knowledge Sharing: Participation in UX forums suggests an environment that encourages sharing best practices, insights, and challenges across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Saab's culture values innovation, purposeful work, and strong teamwork. For a UX Designer, this translates to an environment where creativity is encouraged, and collaboration is key to translating complex technical requirements into user-centric solutions that contribute to national security.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Abstract Requirements: Dealing with complex, partially abstract requirements for critical defense systems requires strong analytical skills and the ability to translate them into concrete, user-friendly designs.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Ensuring designs are not only user-centric but also technically feasible, maintainable, and compliant with stringent defense system requirements.

• Working in a Highly Regulated Industry: Navigating the specific constraints and security considerations inherent in the defense sector.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Complex Systems: Ensuring a unified and intuitive user experience across a large, intricate system with various modules and functionalities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of aerospace, defense systems, and the specific operational context of pilots and mission support officers.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in complex HMI design, system-level UX strategy, and potentially explore areas like AI-driven interfaces or advanced visualization.

• Professional Certifications: Potential support for relevant UX or industry-specific certifications.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced designers and technical leads within Saab for guidance and career development.

• Innovation Days: Dedicated time to explore new tools, methodologies, or innovative design concepts outside of daily project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the complexity and critical nature of the systems being developed. Growth opportunities are substantial, focusing on domain specialization and advanced UX skills within a leading defense technology company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly abstract or complex technical requirement into a user-friendly design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your analytical and problem-solving approach, and how you used Figma/prototyping).

• "How do you approach user research and usability testing when your primary users are highly specialized, like pilots or mission support officers?" (Highlight your methods for engaging niche user groups and gathering actionable insights).

• "Discuss your experience in developing and maintaining UX guidelines or design systems. How do you ensure adoption and consistency across a team?" (Demonstrate your understanding of scalable design practices).

• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives in a project?" (Showcase your ability to make pragmatic design decisions and communicate trade-offs). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the defense industry and specifically at Saab?" (Connect your passion for design with Saab's mission and technological advancements).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working closely with engineers and product managers?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication skills).

• "How do you stay updated with the latest UX trends and technologies, and how would you apply them here?" (Show your proactive learning approach and how it can benefit Saab). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Relevant Projects: Choose 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your experience with complex systems, Figma proficiency, and user research.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the results. Use visuals extensively.

• Demonstrate Figma Skills: Be prepared to navigate your Figma files to show specific design elements, prototypes, and components.

• Explain Your Rationale: Be ready to justify your design decisions based on user needs, research, and technical considerations.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders throughout the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process in detail, with a strong emphasis on how you leverage Figma and user research to solve complex problems. Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of the defense industry context and your collaborative approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form via the provided link, ensuring all fields are accurately filled.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience in UX design, interaction design, user research, prototyping, and specifically your proficiency with Figma. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on impact in technical or complex system development.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select case studies that best represent your ability to handle complex technical requirements, your end-to-end design process, and your Figma skills. Ensure it's easily navigable and visually compelling. Include specific examples of user research outputs and prototypes.

• Prepare for the Interview: Practice articulating your design process, reasoning behind decisions, and how you collaborate with technical teams. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and potentially tackle a design challenge. Research Saab's mission and products.

• Understand the Context: Familiarize yourself with the Mission Support System and its users (pilots, mission support officers) to better tailor your responses during interviews and showcase your understanding of the operational environment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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