Graduate Systems Engineer Review

My experience at BAE Systems has been excellent, I have been impressed by the people I work with, the culture in both teams and leadership, and been given opportunities and training in interesting systems.

I started as part of a documentation focused team, where I learned a lot about process and compliance, but I asked to move to a team that would give me more tangible engineering skills. I was able to move to a cybersecurity product team that gave me the chance to develop skills in software and systems engineering across the whole lifecycle. I definitely enjoy coding and problem solving the most, it feels great to contribute to a team working on a complex product.

I am definitely lucky to be in a team that has opportunities to develop skills, and have an extremely supportive line manager. I feel, after months of training, I am now trusted to contribute meaningfully to our team and project.

The pay is amazing for a graduate job, I didn't want to work in finance or petroleum industries which I found were the only jobs that paid higher. When I was in my first team, I had to travel a lot round the country, but this was all fairly expensed. The work life balance for me is great, I get to work hybrid and my commute isn't too far, lots of my work is software based so I can contribute at home, but I still get to meet the team face to face every week. The Share Incentive Scheme is great (the company matches £75 worth of shares every month), as is the Pension matching, I don't use the FLEX benefits that much but I don't really need to.

My role is giving me skills in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, some Project Management and understanding what businesses want from their engineers and managers. I feel that these skills, combined with my Theoretical Physics degree, are preparing me for a career in Defence.

I have found the Early Careers and HR team incredibly helpful, they helped me move teams when I wasn't happy with my development. I had great Line Managers in both teams, I did not personally benefit from my assigned Buddy but I had graduate scheme colleagues that were able to provide more direct help.

The hybrid way of work means I don't have to commute every day, and we are fortunate enough to have half-day Fridays, so I do not feel overly stressed by my work - though keep in mind that some teams have to be in every day, so this situation is not universal.

BAE have a very inclusive and welcoming culture, many teams like mine are hybrid, so there is a chance to meet the team every week but no need to commute every day. I have trans friends and colleagues that feel supported by the business, and the leadership really care about making people feel accepted.

Diversity and inclusion are great, as is clear from my graduate intake, but the business does seem to struggle with gender equality, particularly in the Engineering function, but this could be due to other factors which are beyond the company's control.

Yes

Great pay for a grad scheme, great chance to learn new skills, a large enough company that you can move teams if needed, great work life balance and culture.

Recruitment process was overall very good, I did have to apply for multiple roles but the first one I applied to did eventually get back to me, give me and interview, and offer me the job. Interviewers may not know about your specific team, so be aware that 'Systems Engineering' could mean anything from extremely practical hands-on wiring jobs to purely theoretical design or document work.