UX-designer till Command & Control

Saab
Full-timeGöteborg, Sweden

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer for Command & Control Company: Saab Location: Göteborg, Sweden Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Operations Date Posted: May 05, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive and develop UX efforts across the entire design process for complex Command & Control systems.
  • Transform intricate user needs and workflows into clear, intuitive, and user-centered digital solutions.
  • Create detailed wireframes, prototypes, and design proposals using Figma, focusing on component-based design systems for scalability and consistency.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, architects, and stakeholders, within agile environments (Scrum/Kanban).
  • Ensure designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines, while balancing multiple quality aspects like simplicity, flexibility, and stability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within the defense and security sector, requiring a UX designer to navigate complex system requirements and stringent quality standards. The "Command & Control" aspect implies a focus on high-stakes decision-making environments, where usability, reliability, and efficiency are paramount. The description emphasizes collaboration and iterative development within agile frameworks, common in large-scale technology projects.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead and conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to deeply understand user needs and pain points.
  • Translate complex operational requirements and user workflows into intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly interface designs.
  • Develop detailed wireframes, low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes, and interactive design mockups using Figma.
  • Design, maintain, and evolve a robust design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and reusability across multiple products and interfaces.
  • Advocate for and implement accessibility best practices (e.g., WCAG standards) to ensure inclusive design for all users.
  • Document and clearly communicate design decisions, rationale, and specifications to development teams, product managers, and stakeholders.
  • Actively participate in agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives) and collaborate closely with development teams to ensure design fidelity during implementation.
  • Gather and incorporate feedback from stakeholders and users throughout the design lifecycle to iterate and improve solutions.
  • Stay abreast of emerging UX trends, technologies, and best practices, particularly those relevant to complex systems and defense applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a full-cycle UX design role, from foundational research to detailed design and implementation support. The emphasis on "complex systems" and "advanced user flows" suggests the need for a designer adept at handling intricate information architecture and multi-step processes, common in mission-critical applications. The mention of "Command & Control" implies a focus on data visualization, situational awareness, and decision support interfaces.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or equivalent professional certification (e.g., YH) in UX Design, Interaction Design, Digital Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in UX design and user-centered design processes, with a proven track record of delivering impactful design solutions.
  • Demonstrated experience working with complex systems, advanced user flows, and enterprise-level applications.
  • Extensive experience managing the full UX lifecycle: user research, concept development, prototyping, usability testing, and post-launch analysis.

Required Skills:

  • Expertise in Figma: Proficient in creating components, utilizing auto-layout, advanced prototyping, and building/maintaining design systems within Figma.
  • User Research & Testing: Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and persona development.
  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to create detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts.
  • Agile Methodologies: Proven experience working within agile development environments (Scrum, Kanban) and familiarity with tools like Jira for task management and collaboration.
  • Design Systems: Experience in creating, documenting, and implementing design systems for consistency and scalability.
  • User-Centered Design Principles: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design (UCD) principles and methodologies.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Preferred Skills:

  • AI Tools in Design: Experience utilizing AI tools within the design process for tasks such as content generation, rapid prototyping, or user research analysis.
  • Rapid Prototyping: Proficiency in rapid prototyping techniques to quickly test and validate design concepts.
  • Technical Understanding: A solid understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and technical constraints, enabling effective collaboration with developers.
  • Requirement Management: Experience in gathering, analyzing, and translating stakeholder requirements into design specifications.
  • Customer Interaction: Experience engaging directly with clients or customers to understand needs and manage expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at least 4 years of experience" and a formal degree or YH certification positions this as a mid-to-senior level role. The strong emphasis on Figma and design systems, coupled with agile experience, is critical. The "meritorious" mention of AI tools suggests an interest in forward-thinking design practices. The security clearance requirement is a significant factor for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 complex UX design projects, demonstrating the end-to-end design process from problem identification to solution delivery.
  • Projects should highlight experience with complex systems, advanced user flows, and enterprise-level applications, ideally with examples relevant to mission-critical or high-stakes environments.
  • Clear articulation of the design challenges, user research conducted, design decisions made, and the rationale behind them.
  • Demonstrations of proficiency in Figma, including examples of interactive prototypes, component libraries, and design system elements.
  • Evidence of collaboration with development teams and how design was translated into functional products.

Process Documentation:

  • Showcase examples of user research reports, usability testing findings, and how these insights informed design iterations.
  • Include documentation of design system components, guidelines, and their impact on consistency and efficiency.
  • Provide case studies that detail the iterative design process, including how feedback was incorporated and design challenges were overcome.
  • Demonstrate how design solutions contributed to improved user efficiency, task completion rates, or overall user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For UX roles, a strong portfolio is non-negotiable. This section emphasizes the need for depth and breadth, focusing on complex problem-solving within the portfolio. The connection to "Command & Control" systems implies a need to demonstrate an understanding of structured, data-intensive interfaces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Designers in Sweden, particularly in technology sectors like defense, and considering the mid-senior experience level (4+ years), the estimated salary range is approximately 45,000 - 65,000 SEK per month. This range can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

  • Inclusive Work Environment: A company culture that values diversity, collaboration, and mutual respect.
  • Career Advancement Opportunities: Pathways for professional development, skill enhancement, and potential leadership roles within the UX or broader product development teams.
  • Work-Life Balance: Commitment to supporting employees in achieving a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
  • Competitive Pension Scheme: Comprehensive retirement savings plan.
  • Health & Wellness Programs: Access to programs and resources supporting employee well-being.
  • Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and attending relevant industry conferences.
  • Generous Vacation Policy: Standard Swedish vacation entitlement, plus potential additional days.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is primarily on-site, Saab generally supports flexible working arrangements where feasible and aligned with project needs, but core hours are expected for team collaboration and agile ceremonies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on Swedish market data for experienced UX Designers. Saab, being a large, established corporation, is likely to offer a comprehensive benefits package typical for the industry in Sweden. The mention of "security clearance" can sometimes influence compensation, but typically benefits are standard.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense and Security. Saab is a global leader in developing advanced systems for defense, security, and civil aviation. This industry demands high levels of precision, reliability, and innovation. Company Size: Saab is a large enterprise, employing approximately 28,000 individuals globally. This means a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for specialization and impact within large projects. Founded: Saab was founded in 1937, giving it a long history of innovation and technological development, particularly in aerospace and defense.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Designer will likely be part of a dedicated UX/Design team or embedded within specific product development teams focused on Command & Control systems.
  • Reporting structure will likely be to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Product Development Manager.
  • Cross-functional collaboration is heavily emphasized, involving close partnerships with software developers, system architects, product owners, requirements engineers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) in defense operations.

Methodology:

  • Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using user research data, analytics, and stakeholder input to drive design decisions.
  • Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on understanding and improving complex operational workflows to enhance system efficiency and user effectiveness.
  • Automation & Efficiency Practices: Leveraging design to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and improve the overall user experience in demanding environments.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Saab's industry context (defense) implies a culture that values precision, security, long-term vision, and robust engineering. The company's size suggests a formal work environment with clear hierarchies, but also significant resources and opportunities. The emphasis on collaboration is key for a UX role in such an organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior UX Designer. It requires a solid foundation of 4+ years of experience and the ability to independently manage significant parts of the UX process for complex systems. The role demands not just execution but also strategic input into design direction and process improvement.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead or Design Manager, working within specific product development teams. This structure allows for both specialized UX guidance and integration into project-specific agile workflows. Collaboration will extend to Product Owners, Project Managers, and Development Leads.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly influences the effectiveness, usability, and adoption of critical Command & Control systems. By simplifying complex interfaces and optimizing user workflows, the designer contributes to enhanced situational awareness, faster decision-making, and ultimately, improved operational outcomes and mission success. This role has a tangible impact on national security capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for complex systems, defense applications, or specific areas like data visualization, human-machine teaming, or AI-driven interfaces.
  • Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager role, mentoring junior designers and shaping design strategy.
  • Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of system architecture, software development lifecycles, and defense domain knowledge, potentially leading to roles in product management or system design.
  • Process Improvement: Take ownership of refining UX processes within agile teams and contributing to the broader design community at Saab.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX designer at a large defense company like Saab typically involves deepening technical and domain expertise, moving into leadership, or broadening their scope into product strategy. The impact of UX in this sector is particularly significant due to the critical nature of the systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Göteborg, Sweden. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration, with dedicated workspaces and meeting areas. Saab's facilities are likely equipped with modern technology to support complex engineering and design work.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Göteborg - Solhusgatan 10, Sweden. Göteborg is a major city with a strong industrial and technological base, offering a good quality of life and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace that encourages interaction with colleagues, fostering a team-oriented approach to problem-solving.
  • Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), project management tools (Jira), and potentially specialized simulation or development environments relevant to Command & Control systems.
  • Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and direct collaboration with developers, architects, and product stakeholders within the office setting.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the on-site nature combined with agile methodologies means active participation during core business hours is expected. Flexibility may be offered, but the emphasis on team collaboration and iterative development requires consistent presence and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for roles involving sensitive information or requiring deep, in-person collaboration on complex projects. The Göteborg location is a hub for Saab's operations, suggesting a dynamic and well-resourced work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios for essential qualifications and experience.
  • Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: A dedicated session (potentially with UX leads and/or designers) to deep-dive into the candidate's portfolio. Expect to discuss specific projects, design decisions, user research methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.
  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (developers, product owners) and key stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.
  • Case Study / Design Challenge (Potentially): A practical exercise to evaluate problem-solving abilities, design thinking, and proficiency with tools under timed conditions. This might involve analyzing a given scenario or designing a solution for a specific problem.
  • Final Interview: Discussion with senior management or hiring manager to finalize the decision, covering strategic alignment and long-term fit.
  • Security Clearance: If successful, the candidate will undergo a security vetting process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to complex systems, user-centered design, and the full UX lifecycle. Prioritize quality over quantity.
  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your design decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
  • Highlight Figma Mastery: Showcase your proficiency with Figma, including advanced features like auto-layout, component libraries, and interactive prototyping. If you have design system experience, dedicate a section to it.
  • Emphasize Research & Iteration: Detail your user research methods and how findings led to design iterations. Show your ability to adapt based on feedback.
  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion time, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).
  • Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handle disagreements or ambiguity.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Domain: Research Saab, its products, and the general challenges within the defense and Command & Control sector.
  • Practice Problem-Solving: Work through common UX design challenge scenarios, focusing on breaking down problems, identifying constraints, and proposing well-reasoned solutions.
  • Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within realistic time limits.
  • Articulate Your Process: Be ready to clearly explain your thought process and design rationale verbally and visually.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a defense contractor like Saab will likely be thorough, with a strong emphasis on practical skills, collaborative ability, and adherence to process. The security clearance is a critical gate. Portfolio review is paramount for UX roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: The core tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management. Proficiency is essential.
  • Jira: For agile project management, task tracking, and collaboration with development teams.
  • Confluence (Likely): For documentation, knowledge sharing, and project specifications.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • User Research Tools: Tools for conducting surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and potentially data analysis platforms.
  • Analytics Platforms (Potentially): Depending on the product, tools like Google Analytics or specialized product analytics tools might be used to track user behavior post-launch.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems and automation workflows impact user experience within broader business contexts can be beneficial. However, direct experience with CRM tools is not explicitly required for this UX role.
  • Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for internal communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Jira anchors the required technical skills. The role implies working within established toolchains common in large tech organizations. Experience with AI tools is a plus, suggesting potential exploration of newer technologies in the design stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve common goals. The company slogan "We believe that progress and opportunities are best created together" highlights this.
  • Innovation & Impact: A drive to create solutions that make a real difference, contributing to safety and security.
  • Precision & Quality: Due to the defense industry context, there's an inherent value placed on accuracy, reliability, and high-quality output in all work.
  • Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages learning, adapting, and refining processes and solutions over time.
  • User Focus: Although not explicitly stated as a "value," the job description's emphasis on understanding user needs and creating intuitive solutions demonstrates a commitment to user-centricity.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with developers, architects, and product managers, participating actively in agile team ceremonies.
  • Process Review & Feedback: A culture of open feedback and iterative design, where critique is seen as a tool for improvement.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth and maintain consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Saab's values, particularly around collaboration and making a difference, are crucial for a UX designer to align with. The defense context reinforces the importance of precision and reliability in the team's approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Complexity of Systems: Designing for intricate Command & Control systems with vast amounts of data, numerous user roles, and critical operational requirements.
  • Balancing Competing Needs: Reconciling user needs, technical constraints, security requirements, and business objectives in a high-stakes environment.
  • Security & Compliance: Adhering to strict security protocols and potentially national defense standards, which can influence design freedom.
  • Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UX design practices, AI tools, and defense technologies.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating complex design concepts to non-design stakeholders, especially those with deep technical or domain expertise.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply specialized UX methodologies for complex systems, data visualization, and human-machine teaming.
  • Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of defense operations, military systems, and the strategic context in which Saab's products are used.
  • AI in Design: Exploring and integrating AI tools into the design workflow, as mentioned as a desirable skill.
  • Leadership Development: Pathways to senior roles, team leadership, and contributing to strategic design initiatives within Saab.
  • Industry Exposure: Potential for attending relevant conferences, workshops, and training programs focused on UX, defense technology, and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the industry and the specific product focus. Growth opportunities are tied to developing specialized skills and moving into more senior or strategic roles within a large, established organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design for a complex system with many stakeholders. How did you manage conflicting requirements and ensure a cohesive user experience?" (Focus on your process, communication, and problem-solving approach.)
  • "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where user research significantly changed your initial design direction. What was the insight, and how did you implement the change?" (Highlight your research skills and adaptability.)
  • "How do you approach building and maintaining a design system, especially in a large organization? What are the key benefits and challenges?" (Demonstrate understanding of scalability, consistency, and collaboration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about working in the defense industry and specifically at Saab?" (Show genuine interest in Saab's mission and products.)
  • "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working with engineers and product managers?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication style.)
  • "How do you ensure your designs are not only user-friendly but also meet stringent security and performance requirements?" (Connect UX principles with industry-specific constraints.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps by project. For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Research -> Process/Solution -> Outcome/Impact.
  • Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions within each project, especially if it was a team effort.
  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals extensively – wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final UI mockups. Make your Figma work shine.
  • Quantify Results: Back up your claims with data or measurable outcomes whenever possible.
  • Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, the trade-offs you made, and how you handled challenges. Practice explaining your rationale clearly and concisely.
  • Connect to Saab's Context: If possible, tailor your examples to illustrate how your skills would be valuable for Command & Control systems or similar complex applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only UX expertise but also an understanding of the defense sector's unique demands for reliability, security, and precision. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Saab careers portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience with complex systems, user-centered design processes, Figma proficiency, and agile methodologies. Prepare to showcase specific projects relevant to enterprise or mission-critical applications.
  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "Figma," "User Research," "Design Systems," "Agile," "Scrum," and "Command & Control" (if applicable to your experience). Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and collaborative approach. Prepare to present your portfolio with confidence, highlighting your impact and problem-solving skills for each project.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Saab, its mission, its products (especially in the Command & Control domain), and its company culture. Understand the importance of security and reliability in the defense industry.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Requires a degree in UX or Interaction Design and at least 4 years of experience in user-centered design for complex systems. Proficiency in Figma and experience working within agile teams (Scrum/Kanban) are essential.