EDAS Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.8 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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:
4/5
My team and I collaborate to complete organised tasks throughout different stages of the software lifecycle, managed and tracked by project management software. I will either be handling important documentation like systems diagrams, requirements or design documents, or writing/ testing software relevant to a specific project.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Enjoyment can vary from task to task, placement to placement. I enjoy the hands on technical experience and contributing to projects, but there can be a lot of less than interesting work to complete, as with any role in the software, and especially the aerospace and defence industry. Plenty of paperwork to fill out and draft, but it comes with the territory and provides important experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed many soft skills such as collaborative working and professional communication. My technical skills have grown from placement to placement, each of which providing me with hands on experience with new tech stacks. I have also had the opportunity to work with some hardware, teaching me to read wiring diagrams and construct wiring looms.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Overall the organisation is okay. My cohort had a fairly rocky start, with a distinct lack of skills coaches. This left our diploma completely unstructured and un-marked, which ensured we were behind in this area of our scheme. This has since been rectified with the hiring of a great skills coach. Sometimes changing placements can feel disorganised, as at times it feels like the team was not informed you were coming and may not have work for you.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Plenty. There is always someone to ask assistance from or complain to.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Hull University has been great at communicating when assistance was required with coursework or general queries.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The first two years at East Riding College covered the very very basics of software development, much of it being at almost GSCE level. These years did not provide much assistance to myself, but I can see how they may be useful to a newcomer in the software space. Hull University in the third year has been very useful with modules such as Safety Critical Systems, Distributed Systems, Machine Learning and Computational Science.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are some good social events, the occasional sports event and many good opportunities to go to functions and represent the company whilst meeting new people in the industry.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
You gain a diverse perspective of both the aerospace and defence industry and the software industry, whereby you can develop your technical and soft skills in a laid back but professional environment. There is plenty of support and whilst things can be disorganised at times, the company does what is required to rectify shortcomings.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
There are plenty of good opportunities at BAE, so take every opportunity provided. You will get out what you put in. Max out your pension contributions and plan for the future, don't be afraid to network and meet new people. Almost everyone I have met here has been lovely and very helpful.
