Graduate Systems Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Warton, Lancashire
Review Submitted: July 2026
Overall Rating
4 /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!
4.3/5
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Overview of the Role
4/5
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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?
It's been a positive experience so far. In terms of the people I am surrounded in at work, it's much better than I expected. Everybody is great to speak to, much more down to Earth than the I initially anticipated before I joined, so on that front I couldn't ask for anything better.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
The main responsibilities have been ensuring compliance, a key part of Systems Engineering and stated in the job role description! With the role comes a lot of document management, which is sometimes quite overbearing and mind-numbing. However, the tasks around this are more enjoyable. I have chosen additional projects which allow me to dive into coding a lot more, which is a really beneficial option to switch to when the documents become too much and a refresh is well needed; coding seems to make the hours fly by for me! As a result, this project which involves lots of coding is what I enjoy the most, and it probably helps with the fact that it is going really well!
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
4/5
The role definitely makes me feel like I can contribute meaningfully, especially even so early on. A lot of responsibility was given to me because the team believe I can take it on, but are always active to help when I have any issues or questions.
Separately, I sometimes feel that the actual work that needs to be done is less meaningful, as in it is more of a must-do to check the appropriate boxes that nobody may ever see. However, this feeling is occasionally then cleared when higher-ups question or talk about this work, or the work is fed into other important tasks.
I definitely feel valued by my team.
Separately, I sometimes feel that the actual work that needs to be done is less meaningful, as in it is more of a must-do to check the appropriate boxes that nobody may ever see. However, this feeling is occasionally then cleared when higher-ups question or talk about this work, or the work is fed into other important tasks.
I definitely feel valued by my team.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
I cannot complain with the compensation package being offered to me on the graduate scheme.
I would wish that the Green Car Scheme had a better selection of cars (and cheaper/used alternatives), as it seems that there is absolutely no reason to go this route, or even consider this scheme, unless your salary has entered the 40+% tax bracket.
I would wish that the Green Car Scheme had a better selection of cars (and cheaper/used alternatives), as it seems that there is absolutely no reason to go this route, or even consider this scheme, unless your salary has entered the 40+% tax bracket.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
4/5
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
I believe my coding skills have improved a great deal, using new features within software and creating apps for the first time.
I do think that giving more presentations, and speaking during meetings has improved my confidence to present to more senior members. Previously, this used to be a nightmare which was never resolved despite the tens and tens of meetings I presented in throughout my life. However, I believe the more laid-back nature of the wider team has made me feel more comfortable in presenting and speaking more confidently during meetings when presenting technical information.
As well as this, more regular use of formal writing language, such as writing emails, will have helped develop these more soft skills to a better standard than I had beforehand.
I do think that giving more presentations, and speaking during meetings has improved my confidence to present to more senior members. Previously, this used to be a nightmare which was never resolved despite the tens and tens of meetings I presented in throughout my life. However, I believe the more laid-back nature of the wider team has made me feel more comfortable in presenting and speaking more confidently during meetings when presenting technical information.
As well as this, more regular use of formal writing language, such as writing emails, will have helped develop these more soft skills to a better standard than I had beforehand.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
3/5
The support so far could be better (not from a Buddy, there were exceptional circumstances with this and I couldn't expect anything more given this).
I do feel that the graduate scheme can make you feel isolated from the scheme. The support is mainly from graduates constantly having to give feedback to the scheme, moreso than being given support IN the scheme (e.g. this survey has been emailed to me 8 times). I feel more bombarded by 'how are we doing, how are we doing, how are we doing' than being helped or 'how are you doing?'.
This may just be a communication issue, but it always seems to feel like, with the responses from the Graduate services, that any issues that are arisen to the team by Graduates has already been considered and there's nothing that can be done. There is never really the tone that they will look into the question further, or that they could try something else. I remember the previous situations where almost every single response to peoples questions/issues was along the lines of 'Yeah, we understand that's a concern, that's not our problem', or 'we already tried to resolve this but it did not work/ did not resolve the issue, so that's that'. They may well be completely correct and there is nothing that their team can do on the issues mentioned, however it doesn't feel supportive and personally I doubt I would bring up an issue.
I do feel that the graduate scheme can make you feel isolated from the scheme. The support is mainly from graduates constantly having to give feedback to the scheme, moreso than being given support IN the scheme (e.g. this survey has been emailed to me 8 times). I feel more bombarded by 'how are we doing, how are we doing, how are we doing' than being helped or 'how are you doing?'.
This may just be a communication issue, but it always seems to feel like, with the responses from the Graduate services, that any issues that are arisen to the team by Graduates has already been considered and there's nothing that can be done. There is never really the tone that they will look into the question further, or that they could try something else. I remember the previous situations where almost every single response to peoples questions/issues was along the lines of 'Yeah, we understand that's a concern, that's not our problem', or 'we already tried to resolve this but it did not work/ did not resolve the issue, so that's that'. They may well be completely correct and there is nothing that their team can do on the issues mentioned, however it doesn't feel supportive and personally I doubt I would bring up an issue.
How is your work-life balance?
4/5
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
Very inclusive, positive and welcoming culture.
There is a sort of hybrid allowed. When I joined, you could be in the office for as many days as you agreed with your line manager, so some people were in once a week, all the way to 4-5 days per week. Personally, I sort of had the choice to come in when I wanted/could, but a recent change means it is mandatory for all employees to come into the office at least 3 days per week.
It seems the company are trying to get back to being fully in-office, or at least increase this from a more/complete hybrid approach.
There is a sort of hybrid allowed. When I joined, you could be in the office for as many days as you agreed with your line manager, so some people were in once a week, all the way to 4-5 days per week. Personally, I sort of had the choice to come in when I wanted/could, but a recent change means it is mandatory for all employees to come into the office at least 3 days per week.
It seems the company are trying to get back to being fully in-office, or at least increase this from a more/complete hybrid approach.
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
4/5
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Great culture/atmosphere.
You can be fairly rewarded.
When a jet takes off the runaway, the work really does feel important and valued, as well as the fact it's a great view and great reality/perspective check on the work you do!
You can be fairly rewarded.
When a jet takes off the runaway, the work really does feel important and valued, as well as the fact it's a great view and great reality/perspective check on the work you do!
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
Given how widespread 'Systems Engineering' is, it was always hard to have any expectations on the role.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Specifically in the BAE Systems recruitment process, it was the only interview process (out of tens and tens of others) where I genuinely felt like I could be myself, be somewhat informal and down-to-Earth in the interview, and really showcase who I am and my personality/likes/interests, without this being a disadvantageous thing to do to get the job. In other interviews, this is definitely seen as a negative, almost going off-script (i.e. if you don't stick 100% to the STAR method and be a Robot with perfect answers, you've immediately lost the job). However, in the BAE Systems interviews, it felt like they truly split the competency from the personality, and they truly wanted to see if me as a person would fit into the culture at the company, and so just answering personally and delving further into answers was intentional, and perhaps why the people and atmosphere I am surrounded at in work is so good!
Therefore, my tip would be to genuinely be yourself! For my interview, the follow-up questions to the main questions were asked somewhat informally, so don't be afraid to open up and talk more freely, like a conversation as opposed to a structured STAR response (of course, answer the initial main questions in with this star method).
Therefore, my tip would be to genuinely be yourself! For my interview, the follow-up questions to the main questions were asked somewhat informally, so don't be afraid to open up and talk more freely, like a conversation as opposed to a structured STAR response (of course, answer the initial main questions in with this star method).
