Graduate Structures Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Engineering
Samlesbury
Review Submitted: June 2026
Overall Rating
2.5 /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!
1.8/5
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Overview of the Role
3/5
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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?
Mostly the experience has been poor, The work is no where near challenging enough and not effort has been put in by the company in trying to make my experience enjoyable or trying to get the most out of me. Small parts of the job have been interesting and there is some exposure to the wider operating of the business, which is useful. On the whole the graduate scheme is poorly thought out and needs better planning in order to provide graduates with interesting work and learning through their day-to-day roles. The graduate team, the team within HR responsible for our experience, is switched on and helpful but working with a fundamentally limited system. The teams we are placed within are poorly suited to helping to develop a graduate engineer. These problems are exagerated because of the limited interaction with other graduates meaning as a new starter it can feel quite isolating.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
I have enjoyed the stretch and challenge opportunities however they are few and far between.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
2/5
Limited
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
1/5
The only saving grace is that the rent is quite cheap in the area but overall the pay package is not good enough. Flexible working hours and overtime is a small relief.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
2/5
it is teaching me important lessons around how to manage my communication with other people around how to get the workload required. It also is offering guidance into where I would like to work in the future.
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
It is challenging to get the exposure to the experiences that will enable me to develop my existing skills. This means that less effort is put into developing myself and more into managing the people around me in order to try and get these experiences.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
4/5
Support is good when required but is fundamentally limited by the nature of the scheme set out for graduates with far too much resonsibility being put into direct teams and line managers that you are paced within. The HR Graduate team however is very helpful.
How is your work-life balance?
3/5
Work life balance is generally good.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
2/5
Organisation culture is difficult to integrate into and feels unwelcoming at times within some parts of the business. This is however inconsistent throughout the business leading to vastly different experiences depending on what team you are placed into.
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
3/5
Seems to be sufficient however not notable
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
3/5
Available
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
No
Why?
Don't think the companies graduate scheme is set up to provide graduates with a supportive atmosphere conducive to developing individuals. Elements of the graduate scheme are enjoyable but too much responsibility in the graduate scheme is placed onto teams and individuals who are not set up or motivated to provide a good experience for graduates.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
Recruitment process was very similar to other companies.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Ensure you have confident answers to questions.
