Software Development Engineer Review

Slow to start as there were no roles actually available to start due to wifi infrastructure, no team there who did what we were starting and therefore a lot of time spent unstructured. Since being deployed and working with a team in England (or one delegated to guide us). The work uses legacy systems a lot so far which can be quite frustrating / mundane. When you zoom out, the work I am doing is really cool but can be difficult to see how it transfers without really contemplating it - especially to newer projects. Only been doing role for 5 months at this point. It is comfortable.

Creating software design documents for codebase of an avionics subsystem, will be updating code and testing functionality more in future. Ability to learn about avionics systems, albeit very high level and conceptually at this point.

Limited scope for work which seems unimportant although necessary at this point (may improve over time)

Cost of living / housing is so high that wage feels like the lowest it could be without being too low. Especially since coming out of university with accrued debts. Once expenses are paid, still managing debt 1 year into scheme.

Legacy systems wont be used elsewhere. I like how I am learning about avionics systems but its very high level at this point, feels like it could be more challenging and technical rather than procedural.

Even though I had shifted 5 different line managers within my first few months at company, most have been really helpful. Except ones assigned in different countries who were devolved from my journey. My current LM works with me now, who shares technical expertise in my role, and helps a lot with admin and guidance.

Purely due to my 45 minute travel either side of work and having to work 4 days a week in office it means mon-thurs is mostly revolved around work exercise dinner bed. This is most of the week, but it could be worse. Scotland travel links should be better.

BAE Systems have an exceptional culture, values and atmosphere generally, exceeding expectations.

Fantastic.

Yes

Not many other aerospace large employers. Hard to get a good engineering job these days. Fantastic culture that strongly promotes self development and opportunity. Cool work is done.

Applied for Systems engineer but doing software development engineering. Vaguely similar via requirements and understanding of avionics systems. I do enjoy it though I hope it becomes more difficult and interesting as I gain experience.