Sofie found the sense of community she was looking for
Sofie Franzén didn’t quite know what to expect from Saab. Maybe something a bit stiff, a bit old-fashioned. That turned out to be wrong. Completely wrong.
Title: Test Maintenance Engineer | Location: Stockholm, Järfälla | Time at Saab: approx. 6 months
She studied electrical engineering at KTH and then spent two years working as a consultant. It was a job that got tasks done but never really made her feel seen. When a former classmate on LinkedIn mentioned that Saab was hiring, she encountered a picture that was the exact opposite of what she’d left behind.
"In my first job, I felt very invisible. I was just a cog in the machine. Here, I feel truly seen."
Sofie’s role as a test maintenance engineer in Järfälla is about keeping the test rigs running, the advanced machines used to test what Saab produces. She troubleshoots, orders spare parts, works with her hands, and recently she’s also started taking responsibility for the software in the rigs. No two days look the same.
What surprised her most was how social the role is. She might have expected solitary work in front of a computer. Instead, she’s constantly on the move, talking to the people who built the machines, the people who use them and the people who’ll deliver them. She’s the one holding all the threads, and she thrives on it.
"Even though the role is about fixing machines, it’s a very social one. You have to run around asking the people who use the machines, asking the people who built them."
The onboarding impressed her. Someone walked around with her on day one, sat beside her until every program on her computer worked, showed her the production hall and introduced her to the key people. That’s not something you can take for granted.
Sofie works in Järfälla, and is happy there. She likes the feel of a genuine, rustic office where everyone she needs to reach sits under the same roof. A free gym, a restaurant just for Saab employees, and colleagues who greet each other in the morning.
The purpose of the work rarely strikes her at work. It happens at home, at the weekend, when she talks to friends about what she does. That’s when she realises she’s part of something that actually matters.
"In the world we live in, it feels deeply meaningful to be part of the defence industry. That Sweden has domestic production of defence equipment and can defend itself if it ever needs to. And that I’m part of making that happen."
Sofie on…
A really good day at work?
When I catch those small details that others miss. I’m good at spotting when something little is off. And when I find it and put it right, it feels like we’re moving towards higher quality.
What do you wish you’d known before you started?
How many young, social people there are here. I had a slightly different expectation of Saab before I started.
Best tip for someone thinking about applying?
Apply! And if you get the chance, come and have a look. Just seeing what it’s like on the inside gave me an incredible amount.