Johan Backlund
About Johan Backlund
Johan Backlund serves as the Head of Future Technologies at Saab, bringing extensive experience in additive manufacturing and optics. He has held various leadership roles in technology development across multiple organizations, including GE Additive and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden.
Current Role at Saab
Johan Backlund serves as Head of Future Technologies at Saab since 2023. In this role, he focuses on advancing innovative technologies that align with Saab's strategic objectives. He also holds the position of Head of Research and Concepts at Saab, where he leads initiatives aimed at exploring new concepts and methodologies in technology development. His work contributes to Saab's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Previous Experience at GE Additive
Johan Backlund has extensive experience at GE Additive, Sweden - Arcam EBM. He worked as Manager of the Electron Beam Unit and Machine Hardware for 8 months in 2021, and previously held the position of Manager of System Technology from 2017 to 2021 for 4 years. Additionally, he served as Manager of EBM Technology from 2016 to 2017 and Head of the Electron Beam Unit from 2013 to 2016. His roles involved overseeing the development and implementation of additive manufacturing technologies.
Education and Expertise
Johan Backlund holds a PhD in Photonics from Chalmers University of Technology, where he studied from 1996 to 2001. He also earned an MSc in Engineering Physics from the same institution from 1992 to 1996. Additionally, he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Arizona, focusing on Integrated Optics from 1999 to 2000. His educational background supports his expertise in developing algorithms for advanced electronic systems and his strong foundation in industrial engineering with a focus on surveillance technologies.
Leadership Roles and Contributions
Throughout his career, Johan Backlund has held various leadership roles that emphasize technology development. He worked as Director of Additive Manufacturing at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden for 8 months in 2022 to 2023. His previous experience includes consulting in Applied Optics and Opto-electronics at Alfa Exx AB from 2004 to 2013. He has demonstrated skills in business development within the technology sector and has significant experience in leading research and development projects in optics.
Early Career and Research Experience
Johan Backlund began his career at Mycronic, where he worked in Optics Computation from 2001 to 2003. He also gained experience as an Optics Physicist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, USA, for 1 year from 2003 to 2004. His early career laid the groundwork for his later roles in advanced technology and research, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of optics and electronic systems.