Nuclear Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.4 /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
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
A vary of roles from nuclear design to commissioning working alongside IP's.
Training in state of the art nuclear technology and development in CAD, operational tooling and delivery
Training in state of the art nuclear technology and development in CAD, operational tooling and delivery
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I do enjoy it how ever the location is rural and it has an impact on my work life balance. The course is well laid out and well ran, with issues being sorted with a phone call.
The placements give a fantastic outlook around the business to create a well rounded engineer and plenty of opportunity to find your preferred area of work. Over 3 years are 3-6 month rotational roles and finish with a 2 yea "soft" exit in the same role to prepare for graduation.
The placements give a fantastic outlook around the business to create a well rounded engineer and plenty of opportunity to find your preferred area of work. Over 3 years are 3-6 month rotational roles and finish with a 2 yea "soft" exit in the same role to prepare for graduation.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Lots of stakeholder management, working with different parties to achieve a unionised goal.
Conflicting operational work as well as commissioning nuclear systems have been highlighted in my course as I really enjoy that type of work.
Conflicting operational work as well as commissioning nuclear systems have been highlighted in my course as I really enjoy that type of work.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Well organised however as the numbers grow there will be less opportunity to exit into preferred roles which I see as a worry. But as of now it feels we are just on the verge of this threat. Besides this fantastic
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Enough support to be trained and gain a qualification. Little funding for nuclear training which I think can be improved
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
College lectures are lacklustre but the assignments are good in general, can sometimes be written cryptically which delays the assignment being started. Often requiring assignment workshops to talk through questions on what the assignment needs and desirables.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Builds a good foundation for engineering but due to day release is hard to learn practical work as theory is mostly focused on for exams and assignments.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
n/a
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good opportunity to work globally. Interesting work in nuclear and naval construction. Great benefits with salary and shares schemes. THEY PAY FOR A DEGREE AND GIVE YOU A SALARY TOO. Hard to pass up on if you live locally and want to work in engineering. I would recommend visiting the area before you apply to imagine what life might be like here.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
For an apprentice: Be interested, inquisitive, curious. Ask questions and work autonomously when you can. Follow your boss on jobs they do to watch and learn, then replicate, lots of documentation which is beneficial if you can read through it then go work practically.
