Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Software Engineering
Great Baddow
Review Submitted: November 2025
Overall Rating
3 /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!
2.3/5
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Overview of the Role
3.6/5
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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?
Good - Have had a steady amount of work coming in which has been gradually increasing in terms of load
There have been small periods (a few days) where the work isn't as stimulating. But, overall, i have worked on major features which will be delivered to the customer i.e. has an affect on the project
There have been small periods (a few days) where the work isn't as stimulating. But, overall, i have worked on major features which will be delivered to the customer i.e. has an affect on the project
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
Main responsibility : Implementing algorithms as part of developing the sampson radar
Enjoy:
- Working on features which meet the requirements of the business i.e. has impact
- Working in an interdisciplinary team
- helping other engineers
- demonstrating the work i have done
- seeing the hardware in action
Enjoy:
- Working on features which meet the requirements of the business i.e. has impact
- Working in an interdisciplinary team
- helping other engineers
- demonstrating the work i have done
- seeing the hardware in action
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
4/5
4 - have had work which is meaningful since the start
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
1/5
1
We are working within a company with an extremely high share value and market cap - one which surpasses many financial companies, a company which is in FTSE100. Yet, we can't get paid a salary which reflects our value (not talking about what HR thinks market pay is).
There is a trend within BAE where our profits are increasing on a yearly basis, and we are told that we are doing a fantastic job - but, there are no yearly pay reviews (not talking about the cost of living adjustment, as that is an adjustment due to inflation, meaning we have not been paid enough for that year). HR are simply unwilling to give Engineers within an engineering company pay which is reflective of the value they bring and the success of the company in that years period
Why should i stay at BAE when i can go to a rival company like Leonardo who will pay me more and i will receive the same benefits (e.g. Flexi hours) , and the work will be similar.
We are working within a company with an extremely high share value and market cap - one which surpasses many financial companies, a company which is in FTSE100. Yet, we can't get paid a salary which reflects our value (not talking about what HR thinks market pay is).
There is a trend within BAE where our profits are increasing on a yearly basis, and we are told that we are doing a fantastic job - but, there are no yearly pay reviews (not talking about the cost of living adjustment, as that is an adjustment due to inflation, meaning we have not been paid enough for that year). HR are simply unwilling to give Engineers within an engineering company pay which is reflective of the value they bring and the success of the company in that years period
Why should i stay at BAE when i can go to a rival company like Leonardo who will pay me more and i will receive the same benefits (e.g. Flexi hours) , and the work will be similar.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
2/5
Good for a career in defence - but, is it transferrable to other industries? I think the grad scheme is not enough for you to have transferrable skills to other industries, you would be required to stay on for longer to build necessary experiences, because the projects we work on a multi-year.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
2/5
Training modules are available, and if you have a good influx of work - you build on your existing technical skills quite well.
But, if there is no influx of work - then you are rotting away (which is the case for many people)
But, if there is no influx of work - then you are rotting away (which is the case for many people)
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
3/5
Support within immediate team is always available
When getting up to a higher level - hard to tell if they are actually supporting you- They seem to always point you towards another person, or just give you a boring HR response of "We are working on it"
When getting up to a higher level - hard to tell if they are actually supporting you- They seem to always point you towards another person, or just give you a boring HR response of "We are working on it"
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
Good Flexi hours - can't fault it
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
3/5
People are fantastic and fun to talk to. Also, we have a strong graduate / early careers community, where we can socialise quite well
There is no Hybrid work - this is not the company for if you want to work from home for 3 out of 5 of the days - you will be forced to be in the office at least 4 days a week (due to nature of the work).
Hybrid would be other projects you work on as part of the grad scheme - but nothing long term
There is no Hybrid work - this is not the company for if you want to work from home for 3 out of 5 of the days - you will be forced to be in the office at least 4 days a week (due to nature of the work).
Hybrid would be other projects you work on as part of the grad scheme - but nothing long term
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
Strong diversity and inclusion policy - ERG's to reflect this too.
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
2/5
University Engagement is the only thing i can think of
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good place to start your career as it is a big company
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
Was hired as a software engineer - and that is exactly what i am doing
albeit - the speed of the projects are slow - due to the scale of them
albeit - the speed of the projects are slow - due to the scale of them
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Those interviewing look more towards your behavioural competencies instead of how bright you are technically (if applying to engineering role)
More about how you interact with other people
More about how you interact with other people
