BAE Systems

About BAE Systems

Pursue your ambitions. Discover a world of opportunity.

At BAE Systems, we create advanced technology that helps protect people and national security across air, land, sea, and cyber. On an early careers programme with us, you’ll play a meaningful role in shaping a safer, more secure future for generations to come.

From day one, you’ll do purposeful work on real-world projects that matter. Whether your passion lies in engineering, manufacturing, digital, business or project management, you’ll be supported by world-class training, experienced mentors and inclusive networks that help you thrive.

We believe diversity fuels innovation. That’s why your background, ideas and unique perspective will be valued, and your hard work recognised. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team where you’ll be empowered to pioneer, solve and grow. Working together towards a shared purpose - protecting those who protect us.

As a graduate, undergraduate or apprentice at BAE Systems, you can expect to build deep expertise, explore limitless opportunities across disciplines and geographies, gaining industry recognised qualifications along the way. With long-term career prospects and work that truly makes an impact, you’ll find the security and freedom to shape a career that’s uniquely yours.

From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space - there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Join us - pioneer your future today.

Why BAE Systems?

• ~110,000 diverse workforce in more than 40 countries
• £12.7m contributed to local, national and international organisations throughout 2024
• 40,959 hours volunteered by our employees working with charities and not-for-profit organisations
• #23 The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2024
• #2 in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025
• Ranked an Outstanding provider by Ofsted and rated Excellent by SDS Scotland

Rewards and benefits

Market-leading benefits: You’ll earn a competitive salary, and receive general annual leave, as well as access to our product and service discounts, share scheme and workplace pension and flexible benefits to maintain that all-important lifestyle balance.

Inclusion: An inclusive team is a creative and innovative team. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to thrive. Who you are should never define what you can do.

Career opportunities: Around 94% of apprentices choose to stay on with us. And, being a global business, there’s a world of opportunities here – whether you stay in the UK or explore an overseas role doing something that really makes a difference.

Learning and development: If you’d curious and open to new opportunities, we’ll help you reach you potential. See how we’ll support you to continually learn and develop a fulfilling career.

Experience and qualifications: you’ll get hands-on experiences working on real-life projects. On many of our early careers programmes you’ll be supported with funding of your academic and vocational qualifications.

Undergraduate opportunities

Our undergraduate placements offer a valuable first step in your career enabling you to gain practical, hands-on experience at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. Whether you join us for a 6 or 12-month industrial placement, or a 12-week summer internship; you’ll get first-class mentoring from inspiring people as well as have the ability to work on high-profile projects. Successful placements could lead to a full time permanent graduate position.

Apprenticeship opportunities

Our apprenticeship opportunities span four different levels, including Intermediate (Level 2), Advanced (Level 3), Higher (Levels 4 and 5) and Degree (Level 6) – as well as cover specialisms across engineering, manufacturing, business and technology. So whether you’re starting your career or changing direction – we’ll have a role for you.

Nationality restrictions

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks. Click here for more information on national security vetting levels.

Reasonable adjustments

We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.