Design Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
4.7 /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
5/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at BAE Systems?
A massive corporation taking in many graduates a year with countless roles. The job is challenging especially from the start however, the support is there and the opportunities are not given anywhere else in the UK.
To be a graduate and actually contributing to tangible aircraft concepts and designs gives great job satisfaction and is in some ways the best way to learn being 'dropped in the deep end'. That being said there is plenty of support available and with such large cohorts of graduates coming through the business the support and process is streamlined compared with other smaller graduate placements.
To be a graduate and actually contributing to tangible aircraft concepts and designs gives great job satisfaction and is in some ways the best way to learn being 'dropped in the deep end'. That being said there is plenty of support available and with such large cohorts of graduates coming through the business the support and process is streamlined compared with other smaller graduate placements.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
Concepting and design work on aircraft ranging from multiple stages in the design lifecycle.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
As a graduate there is no distinction in workload to other employees and this means that given the effort you can really contribute to team efforts and targets. Starting out with little to no experience the learning curve with very large, however within 6 months you should find yourself with a solid foothold in the team and rather than asking the questions you'll start to find you'll be answering them if from the team or external company members.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
The flexibility of the job, salary, working conditions, sick pay and many more benefits of the job are above other workplaces I have in experience in mainly the hospitality sector.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
4/5
The role is exactly what i had wanted and is something i will stay and develop in with many opportunities for growth.
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
Formal training especially in CAD is given to a very high quality and prepares you well for the role.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
4/5
Support is mainly from your line manger, this being the case it is very manager dependant however i would say the majority of managers are of very high quality and the best I've seen in the many workplaces I have worked within.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
Company benefits such as flexi leave where extra days can be taken off if overtime is carried out is a great feature.
Holidays within the business are not questioned, the attitude is taken that if you book your holiday than no work commitments can take president which i have never seen before and is a massive attractor to the company for me.
Holidays within the business are not questioned, the attitude is taken that if you book your holiday than no work commitments can take president which i have never seen before and is a massive attractor to the company for me.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
Culture is like most office environments, little to no problems and a range of personalities.
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
Many socials held by the graduate committee whilst also business function/role socials held.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The graduate scheme is a great place to start doing work that at first seems overwhelming and of overbearing responsibility, however with development and learning you find yourself really contributing to real tangible deadlines and products, using and developing world leading technologies.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
5/5
The role is exactly what i had stated within my interview.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be yourself, know your aircraft, and know the subject surrounding your role, as you are applying to an aerospace company with many other competitors and showing baseline knowledge is the minimum you should striving to show the interviewers.
