Scouting for future possibilities
As a little girl, she fantasised about becoming a space scientist. But it wasn’t space itself that sparked her interest. Rather, it was the chance to explore the unknown. Though her career path took a slightly different direction from her original plan, she eventually found a way to make use of her curiosity for undiscovered possibilities. Meet Sofie Larsson, Head of Business Analysis and Architecture at Saab.
Meeting the demands of the future
To harness the knowledge of different people and anticipate the challenges of the future – that’s Sofie Larssons’ job, in one sentence. As a manager at Saab, Sofie’s mission is to ensure that the company has the expertise it takes to meet future demands, that projects run smoothly, and that teams work effectively without getting stressed.
"The best thing about my work is definitely the people. All of the things we manage to achieve when we combine the expertise of smart and competent people is truly remarkable.”
“A normal day at work for me often involves many different meetings with both employees and managers to see how the projects are going, how the employees are doing, and what kind of expertise we need to recruit in the future. I’m also responsible for educating and developing our employees and ensuring that the right people and competence are in the right context at the right time. The best thing about my work is definitely the people. All of the things we manage to achieve when we combine the expertise of smart and competent people is truly remarkable.”
In a role with many responsibilities and different challenges, Sofie finds her motivation and inspiration in her colleagues.
“All of the things we manage to achieve when we combine the expertise of smart and competent people is truly remarkable.”
To be part of something bigger and have the chance to impact the company's journey with her team is something she cherishes.
Like a cat with nine lives
Today, Sofie has been working as a Manager at Saab for one year, but as a consultant for more than eight. Before joining the company, she studied Industrial Engineering at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, while working part-time at a bank.
“Working at the bank was interesting, but I didn’t really get the chance to be innovative. So, I decided to apply for another job and got hired by a woman who worked as a consultant at Saab. During that time, I got the chance to work with Saab’s development projects within IT, a wide and complex area influencing everything we do. It also gave me valuable insights into the company culture, and when I was asked to join the company, it felt like a natural path to take.”
“Saab reminds me of a cat with nine lives. Even if we face decisions that seem impossible in the moment, we always manage to cross the finish line together."
Now that she’s at Saab, it’s safe to say that there’s no lack of innovative thinking in Sofie’s life any more. Working at a company that has succeeded in taking a world-leading position in a small country like Sweden really fascinates her.
“Saab reminds me of a cat with nine lives. Even if we face decisions that seem impossible in the moment, we always manage to cross the finish line together. It’s easy to think of Saab as a big company with a lot of prestige, but it’s the complete opposite. Everyone here is very collaborative and helpful, and that is something I appreciate.”
A typical engineer
Thinking back on her time at Saab, Sofie is proud of her years at the company. The complexity of working with cool projects on the cutting edge that requires great preventive measures has been equally challenging and interesting.
“If you want to make a meaningful impact and collaborate with fantastic and knowledgeable people, this is the place to be.”
As a self-described “typical engineer”, working to find just the right solution to an advanced technical problem has been one of her most exciting tasks. And that's a challenge she believes future colleagues will find as interesting as she did back when she first started at Saab.
“It’s fantastic to be part of a team that manages to achieve things that at first sight seem impossible. If you want to make a meaningful impact alongside wonderful and knowledgeable people, this is the place to be.”
3 Questions
How would you describe yourself in three words?
I would describe myself as an open, positive and analytical people person.
How would you define hard work?
To leave no stone unturned, not just the ones in front of your feet, but the ones off the beaten track.
What’s your biggest strength?
To never give up, and instead look at the whole picture and the journey forward.