After five years of studying at the Bauman Institute, Saburov became head of the technological bureau of a factory in Moscow in 1933.

Saburov advanced rapidly during the Great Purge,[3] becoming a minister in the Narkomat for Heavy Machines in 1937, and then Gosplan Secretary for Machinery in 1938.

Documents from the Russian State Economic Archives note that his responsibilities prior to assuming the chairmanship included personnel matters (he oversaw purges of unreliable employees in 1938[4]) and mobilization efforts.

Saburov was partly responsible for the reconstruction of the Soviet Union after the Second World War: agricultural production in 1950 was barely above the 1940 level.

"[10] In 1957, a failed attempt to depose Khrushchev was run by Malenkov, Kaganovich and Molotov, known as the Anti-Party Group.

Saburov, being a friend of Malenkov, was implicated in the coup attempt and removed from his position as First Deputy Premier.

[11] Saburov recanted, saying that "It is well known, comrades, that I made a mistake in June 1957 by displaying political instability in the struggle of the Central Committee of the Soviet CP against the anti-Party group.

"[12] Saburov worked as Deputy Chairman of Comecon for a short period of time afterwards, before moving to a factory in Syzran, which he managed until his retirement in 1966.