Master Thesis, 30 hp: Hydraulic flight control actuation – state of the art and state of practice

Are you a student eager to apply your theoretical knowledge and fresh perspectives to real-world challenges? At Saab, we believe that innovation thrives on new ideas, and your master thesis project could be the spark that ignites our next technological breakthrough.

Your role

We recognize the immense value that students bring to our company. Your academic rigor, combined with your enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology, allows you to approach problems with a unique and insightful lens. At Saab, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced engineers and specialists, gaining invaluable practical experience while making a tangible contribution to our growth and development.

Background
Hydraulic flight control actuation is a cornerstone of modern aircraft, ensuring safe, precise and reliable control under demanding conditions. While the academic and research communities continue to push the boundaries with advanced architectures, novel materials, and smart health‑monitoring concepts, the systems that actually fly on today’s platforms often reflect a different balance between performance, safety, certification, cost and manufacturability. To better understand this gap, we are looking for students for a master’s thesis project on hydraulic flight control actuation – state of the art and state of practice.

Thesis description
In this thesis, you will investigate how hydraulic flight control actuation is described in the state‑of‑the‑art literature and how that compares to the state of practice in industry, with a focus on aerospace and defense applications.

Your work can include, for example:

• Conducting a structured review of research literature and technical reports describing future and emerging concepts in hydraulic flight control actuation (e.g. architectures, components, control strategies, diagnostics, alternative fluids, integration with more‑electric concepts).
• Performing a review of patents, standards and publicly available product information to map out how hydraulic actuation is currently implemented in real systems.
• Analysing selected products and solutions in detail to identify typical design choices, technology levels, and constraints that drive today’s implementations.
• Conducting interviews with Saab engineers and, where possible, other industry experts to capture practical experience, certification aspects, safety considerations and life‑cycle perspectives that influence design decisions.
• Comparing state of the art and state of practice, identifying convergences and divergences, and explaining the underlying reasons (e.g. technology readiness, regulatory requirements, reliability, maintainability, cost).
• Summarising your findings in a clear framework and providing recommendations on promising directions for future hydraulic actuation solutions in Saab’s context.

Your profile

We are looking for master’s students with a strong interest in aerospace, fluid power and control systems, who enjoy combining analytical work with practical insight. You are in the final stage of your master and and are about to begin a 30 hp thesis project. We provide the support and guidance you need to translate your theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. Join us and become a driving force behind Saab's technological advancements!

This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.

Kindly observe that this is an ongoing recruitment process and that the position might be filled before the closing date of the advertisement.

This thesis offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface between advanced research and real industrial practice. You will gain insight into how flight control actuation systems are actually developed, qualified and operated on aircraft, and how new technologies can realistically transition from concept to certified product. At Saab, you will work closely with experienced engineers in a high‑technology environment and have the opportunity to connect your academic work to real‑world challenges in flight control systems. We offer qualified supervision, access to relevant documentation and experts, and a supportive environment for both personal and professional development. Join us in exploring the future of hydraulic flight control actuation and help shape the next generation of aerospace systems.

What you will be a part of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations. Read more about us here.