Built on Trust: How Veterans Shape Saab’s Teams and Technologies
Drawing from their experience in the U.S. armed forces, veterans help Saab’s teams deliver trusted technologies that keep people and society safe.
In defense technology, trust isn't abstract. It's the Marine who depends on a training system to prepare for real combat. The sailor who relies on surveillance technology to detect threats before they become deadly. The soldier whose life depends on a weapon system functioning flawlessly under enemy fire.
Every piece of technology Saab delivers carries that weight. Mission success, and lives, depend on systems working exactly as promised.
Saab’s veteran employees – approximately 15% of the company – understand the stakes. Following their time protecting their country, they’ve continued to dedicate their lives in service of those armed forces, helping to build new technologies and train end-users with the tools that will help them return home safe.
Trust built on experience and drive
"Every sailor I've ever led depended on technology to come home safely," said Rome R., who spent 29 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy before joining Saab. "Saab's mission is an extension of that same responsibility—to design systems that protect lives and preserve peace."
At Saab, Rome has contributed to projects across Skapa and Saab’s Surveillance division, bringing operational insights from commanding four warships and an expeditionary task force in combat environments.
"It's satisfying to see our solutions shape how the U.S. military thinks about distributed operations and multi-domain awareness," said Rome. "Knowing those innovations trace back to lessons learned on deployment makes it especially meaningful."
Trust through understanding the end user
James "Mac" M., who directs program management for Training Services, spent 31 years in the Marine Corps before joining Saab. At Saab, Mac is part of the MCTIS team, 80% of which are U.S. veterans. His work focuses on transforming how Marines train for combat readiness.
"I’m really proud of our team's ability to support the next generation of Marine Corps Force-on-Force training," said Mac. "Our shared sense of urgency to keep people and society safe helps build positive relationships with our teams, customers and end-users."
That understanding extends beyond individual end-users. Caitlin H., who spent eight years in the Army—first as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, then as a civil affairs officer in Special Operations—observed this at the organizational level.
"During my time in the Army, I observed that the U.S. needed both the military and private sector partners to be successful in its defense mission set," said Caitlin, who now serves as Director of Strategy and Innovation with Saab’s Skapa division. "My military experience taught me how to team with people from different organizations, cultures, and areas of expertise. That directly correlates with the work I get to do at Saab.”
Trust that delivers
As Saab expands its U.S. footprint with facilities in Grayling, Michigan, West Lafayette, Indiana, Syracuse, New York, Orlando, Florida and beyond, veterans ensure that innovation remains grounded in operational reality. They bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the harsh environments where that technology must perform without fail.
Because in defense technology, trust is earned through delivery. And delivery depends on understanding what's truly at stake.
Saab honors all who have served and continue to keep people and society safe.