Inside our collaborative culture
Inside Saab: Q&A on teamwork with Hillevi Wachtmeister.
Can you tell us about your role at Saab? How long have you been there, and what led you to join the company?
I've been working at Saab for about two and a half years now, always within the same team. My focus is on signal processing for ground-based radar systems. I have an engineering background; I studied engineering physics at Chalmers University of Technology. After my studies, I wasn't sure what direction to take, but I was recruited for this position, which was quite fortunate.
How would you describe the company culture at Saab?
Our culture is unique because we work with some of the most advanced systems. The team members come from various technical backgrounds, but everyone is highly skilled in their field. There’s a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, which is essential given the complexity of our projects.
Can you share an example of how teamwork is fostered at Saab?
Recently, we had a project that required urgent on-site support for a client. There wasn't enough staff available, so the call went out to our entire department. A group of us, including people from different technical backgrounds like software, hardware, and mechanics, volunteered to go. It was amazing to see how quickly everyone came together, sharing their expertise to solve problems on the spot, even though we hadn’t worked on that specific piece of equipment before.
"It was amazing how quickly everyone came together, sharing expertise to solve problems on the spot, even with unfamiliar equipment."
What qualities in your colleagues make such collaboration possible?
Listening to each other and being open to different perspectives is crucial here. No one knows everything, so it's important to be receptive to new ideas and solutions from others. This openness, combined with a willingness to help, allows us to tackle challenges effectively as a team.
"Listening and being open to different perspectives is crucial. No one knows everything, so new ideas are always welcome."
Does Saab encourage cross-team collaboration, and if so, how?
Yes, definitely. For instance, when I joined, I participated in the Saab Academy program, which is designed for new employees. It includes technical lectures, visits to different parts of the company, and social events. These activities help build networks across the company, making it easier to reach out for advice or assistance on various projects.
How important is teamwork to you personally in your daily work and career development?
Teamwork is extremely important to me. I might take it for granted sometimes because it's so ingrained in our culture here, but being able to bounce ideas off others and collaborate is vital for my job satisfaction and productivity. Working alone on problems can be isolating, and I thrive on the interactions and shared problem-solving that come with teamwork.
What advice would you give to new employees on how to be a good teammate at Saab?
Be open and ask lots of questions. It's the best way to learn and contribute. Even if you think your question might be simple, it's often those questions that open up new perspectives and lead to innovative solutions. The culture here is very open to such interactions, so don't hesitate to engage with your colleagues.
"Simple questions can open up new perspectives and lead to solutions. The culture here encourages engaging with colleagues."