Graduate Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Engineering
Warton, Lancashire
Review Submitted: May 2026
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?
Very good experience, I have been placed in a team that have been very helpful with my development, both personally and professionally. The role I was placed in was definitely outside of my previous experience but I was given ample time to get myself up to speed with the theoretical background and technical aspects of the role.
You are placed in a substantive role from the start, so there are no rotational placements within the graduate scheme anymore. This is both a positive and a negative. It allows you to fully develop into a role and make meaningful contributions to your team and projects, however you don't get the broader experience and knowledge base that a rotational scheme allows.
You are placed in a substantive role from the start, so there are no rotational placements within the graduate scheme anymore. This is both a positive and a negative. It allows you to fully develop into a role and make meaningful contributions to your team and projects, however you don't get the broader experience and knowledge base that a rotational scheme allows.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
My role is heavily based in simulation and data analysis and reporting working on mainly individual projects with larger timeframes (can be months long depending on the complexity).
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
After an initial training and learning period I was assigned an important project that took around 7 months to complete, giving me the opportunity to develop my skills and was supported via regular conversations with my line manager.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
As a graduate the compensation is very good, however as you are in a substantive role the pay is lower than an equivalent direct entry role (these roles can be obtained straight out of university also).
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
4/5
Some tasks can be repetitive but extra time can always be applied to formal training courses or individual theoretical and technical development.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
5/5
Very good support within my team.
How is your work-life balance?
4/5
The flexi-time scheme is very good with only specific core hours in the middle of the day when you are expected to be working, and the other hours made up throughout the week. However, due to the nature of my role I work on site 5 days a week so working from home is limited for me. This is not always the case for similar roles with the standard working pattern now being 2 days a week from home.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good experience overall!
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
The recruitment process was very general and not role specific. I applied for a graduate systems engineer role but that has a very broad meaning within the company and specific roles can vary a lot between applicants. I was not aware of my exact role until a few weeks before starting.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Mainly be yourself.
Using the STAR technique with real examples from your experience is a must in any interviews.
Using the STAR technique with real examples from your experience is a must in any interviews.
