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Saab Global
Installation in HQ

Software Systems Engineer

Centurion,
South Africa
Closing date: 15 November 2025

We have a vacancy for the software systems engineer (SSE). The position takes ownership of the system software requirements on customer projects, co-ordinate the SW development activities with the Design and Development team, take delivery of project SW, drive system SW integration and testing activities, configures System Software Life cycle data. The Software Systems Engineer will also engage with clients as required, provide client facing SW assistance and will be responsible for all Software deliveries.

Your role

Technical Management

  • Responsible for leading, planning and managing the Software System Engineering process for development and contractual projects within Saab Grintek Defence and ensure a sound system baseline for assigned projects. 
  • Responsible for creating and maintaining the System Software Development and Requirements documentation for embedded systems as well as ground support software.
  • Responsible for System Software architect design and if required additional Software System related design.
  • Responsible for System Software Requirements Analysis and deriving lower level sub-systems requirements.
  • Lead and coordinate TDAs in the subsystem NRE SW development process
  • Responsible for System Software Interface Requirements documentation.
  • Responsible for the Integration, Verification and Validation of project System Software baselines.
  • Responsible for System Software verification and validation documentation.
  • Responsible for Software Development Life Cycle artefacts required for domain related requirement (eg Flight Safety) and certification.
  • Responsible for maintaining a System Software baseline thought the Software lifecycle.
  • Responsible for supporting the System Engineer in the System development, Integration and Test activities to an accepted Software baseline.
  • Responsible for technical support to Marketing, Bid Office and Product Management groups when required.
  • Responsible for providing of inputs into quotes and tender costs relating to NRE, their timescales, resources, WBS etc as required.

Client and Vendor Management

  • Ensure effective internal client relations through the provision of inputs/technical assistance where required.
  • Assist SE and PjM with inputs into project schedules.
  • Support SE with integration activities, test baselines, trials and technical requirements.
  • Support SE and PjM with effective external customer relationships as needed during the execution of the customer project
  • Support the Marketing, Product Management, Project Management and In-Service Support Manager where required.

Financial Management

  • Provide inputs into quotes and tender costs relating to Program Specific Development (NRE) their timescales, resources WBS etc.

Business Process Management

  • Determine SW requirements and provide technical feedback to the relevant Product and Technical Product Managers.
  • Provide inputs for technical proposals with respect to architecture, compliance, NRE requirements and system SW integration cost estimates
  • Provide inputs for technical proposals with respect to SW architecture, compliance, NRE requirements and SW integration cost estimates.

Your profile

Brief summary of the profile that we are looking for:

Specialist knowledge:

  • Knowledge and previous experience in software development in accordance with RTCA DO 178B/C.
  • Advanced knowledge of Software Systems Engineering processes and practices.
  • Cyber security knowledge would be advantageous.
  • Knowledge on Software Simulation Models to support SW development advantageous.
  • Specific experience in the military environment advantageous (Airborne, Naval and/or Land).
  • Specific experience in the defence EW environment advantageous eg.
  • Airborne EW: Radar Warning, Missile Warning, Laser Warning and Countermeasures
  • Naval EW: Radar Warning, Laser Warning, Naval ESM HMI
  • Land Survivability: Laser Warning, Effectors, Hardkill

Practical experience:

  • 5+ years’ experience in military SW development and/or environment
  • High competence and prior experience with DOORS
  • 5+ years’ Software Systems Engineering related experience, preferably on executing customer projects
  • Generating and compiling of development plans, specifications and test plans and procedures.
  • Software and Hardware environments:
  • Computer Hardware(Operating systems [such as Linux], performance, Utilization etc.)
  • Computer networking (architecture etc)
  • Communications Protocols
  • Prior SW development experience, specifically embedded SW development.
  • Exposure to CASE tools (such as Enterprise Architect). Making use of UML etc.
  • Programming languages: C, C++, Python
  • Experience in automated testing advantageous

Competencies:

  • SE principles
    • Systems Thinking
    • Life Cycles
    • Systems Modelling and analysis
  • Professional Competencies
    • Communication (Internal and external)
    • Technical Leadership
    • Negotiation
  • Technical Competencies
    • Requirements Analysis
    • SW Requirements writing
    • Software Architecting
    • Software System Integration
    • Software System Verification and Validation
  • SSE Management
    • Planning, Monitoring and Control
    • Decision Management
    • Configuration Management
    • SW development Risk and Opportunity Management
  • Integrating competencies
    • Technical SW Project Management
    • SW integration and testing
    • Fault finding and isolation

Qualification:

  • Bsc Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering Degree of similar tertiary qualification

Skills:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to prioritise and multi-task
  • Professionalism and strong work ethic
  • Oral and written communications skills
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Accuracy and attention to detail

What you will be a part of

SGD has reinforced its position as a leading South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities including electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets. These capabilities are supplied and supported over the air, land, sea and civil security domains.

With new and improved technological systems and solutions, SGD increases a country’s defence capabilities and provides innovative, effective products and services for those tasked to maintain security. The company also works with various stakeholders in gathering data and providing insight into how security threats evolve, and what the best market-customised solutions are.

If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to help protect people.

SGD will give preference to South African citizens and we also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds

Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not received feedback from us within 30 days after the closing date.