Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
New Malden
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
4.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Office roles have involved a variety of software and non-software positions across multiple teams.
Tasks vary from doing regular maintenance and development activities with teams alongside being given some semi-independent projects spread over multiple months.
Tasks vary from doing regular maintenance and development activities with teams alongside being given some semi-independent projects spread over multiple months.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Education under Cranfield had been a more mixed experience but work at the company has been enjoyable with a relaxed, flexible working environment and a good social setting.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Large variety of skills have been covered and learnt, networking and being proactive looking for valuable placements that you would enjoy is key to getting the most skills as there is no clear structure at times.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Structure has been lacking at times from the company, this is partially attributed to rotating apprentice management staff.
As the first year of students at Cranfield, many parts of the education have been poorly planned and reworked on short notice along with information coming later than desired.
As the first year of students at Cranfield, many parts of the education have been poorly planned and reworked on short notice along with information coming later than desired.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
All line managers and apprentice managers have been extremely helpful and flexible to provide any help required and a good environment to learn and grow.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Whilst the organisation has been poor, the overall support from Cranfield has been good as long as the information is available.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
There were some modules which were useful with good teaching and direct applications.
The majority however have been too shallow to really gain anything beyond a surface level view of a topic or have been at too low of a level/too late into the process to be useful.
The majority however have been too shallow to really gain anything beyond a surface level view of a topic or have been at too low of a level/too late into the process to be useful.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
My site has multiple social activities ranging from lunchtime sports, board games, regular team & workplace drinks as well as a social society which organises theatre trips and such.
Other larger sites have a similar variety of activities to my knowledge.
Other larger sites have a similar variety of activities to my knowledge.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Strong way to get a leg into a software or similar role whilst earning a very competitive salary for the required qualifications.
Provided in a positive environment encouraging growth where a ton of experience can be gained if you're motivated.
Provided in a positive environment encouraging growth where a ton of experience can be gained if you're motivated.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Do your research into the company and approach things with a plan for what you want to get out of an apprenticeship and where you see yourself by the end of it.
Make the effort to be proactive and sociable to get the best set up by the time you complete the scheme.
Make the effort to be proactive and sociable to get the best set up by the time you complete the scheme.
