Graduate Project Manager Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Project Management
Warton, Lancashire
Review Submitted: November 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /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 the Role
4.8/5
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Experience & Company Culture
3/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at BAE Systems?
A slow start but once I actually got going, it was quite an enjoyable and rewarding role.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
The role can vary and you don't always get an exact choice in where you go. You complete one role for the entirety of the grad scheme.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
I am treated as an equal when it comes to implementing ideas and helping to contribute to the wider team.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
The pay package is very good compared to other Graduate level roles. There is an excellent pension, bonuses and a share incentive scheme to invest in. But there can be some level of resentment that you are earning ~£10k less than your peers but doing the exact same role.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
4/5
You only complete one role during the grad scheme so you gain a real depth of that role. You also get coaching sessions and must complete 7 days of personal effectiveness training too but I am not sure how useful that is for the future career.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
There is a lot of freedom within the role to take on extra work in different areas or engage with training sessions as you wish. Peers are also happy to help out where they can and have time and really like to upskill each other. The company as a whole definitely seems to value retaining employees, people getting experience in a wide breadth of roles and training.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
5/5
Most line managers are eager to help and train. The company is quite big on getting a Mentor and the sharing of knowledge down through the workforce.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
I love the work-life balance. I get the freedom to generally pick when I start and finish. I'm able to take longer lunches if I need to complete errands. The flexi-time system means I get time in lieu or paid for all the hours I do. The culture definitely recognises that if you have a certain start/finish time or need to work from home on a particular day, then that's okay.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
4/5
The general atmosphere is quite good. There is an emphasis on networking so people will definitely make the time to chat to you and catch up with you. Hybrid working depends on the team and the work you are doing but most teams will do 2-3 mid-week days in the office.
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
There are many resource groups to help support employees. You can generally commit 10% of your time to supporting/being part of these groups too on the committee.
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
5/5
There's a lot of work around being eco and a push to reduce waste. There are also many community outreach events (that you can also get involved in).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The pay is good, the progression is good, the work-life balance is generally good.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
It's not the role I expected at all but I am glad that it's what ended up now.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be yourself and let your personality through. They don't seem to be looking for the person with all the right knowledge, they want someone with the right attitude who they can train up.
