Graduate software engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Software Engineering
Warton, Lancashire
Review Submitted: August 2026
Overall Rating
1.7 /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!
1.5/5
-
Overview of the Role
2/5
-
Experience & Company Culture
1/5
-
Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at BAE Systems?
Terrible
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
The role I do is basic software development closer to translation of pseudocode than actually coming up with answers yourself. I enjoy the flexibility of the role the most
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
2/5
The role does meaningfully contribute to the team but doesn’t not feel meaningful overall.
My team is amazing and they make me feel valued
My team is amazing and they make me feel valued
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
2/5
The job is very flexible with good overtime benefits but there doesn’t feel to be much else included
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
1/5
This role does not prepare me for the future in any meaningful way. The work I do is so niche, there is very few transferable skills I can take away from the role.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
1/5
I feel that I have regressed since starting at BAE
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
1/5
I was given a buddy at the start who was there to welcome me before onboarding. Once I had started it was made very clear to me that there was no further development for me if it didn’t benefit the department. This included me furthering my software engineering skills as it wasn’t beneficial to the work I do. BAE needs a much healthier culture where learning is actually prioritised and not just claimed it is.
How is your work-life balance?
3/5
The role is very flexible and allows for half days on Friday if you complete all of your hours during the week. However I do not feel that my mental health has benefited from this company.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
1/5
The employees who do the footwork feel that the company could do better in long term vision. Which I wholly agree with. The general atmosphere in my office is one that is gloomy with very few smiles unless others are talking to one another. The culture definitely feels like one of a “boys club” where if you don’t fit in with one group, you don’t feel welcome.
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
1/5
Excluding the one 45 minute training video on equality and inclusion, there doesn’t feel like theres a very inclusive atmosphere. The company feels very much like a ‘boys club’ where you either fit in and go far or you don’t.
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
4/5
There is a lot going on about the community improvement plans and investments into the local area.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
No
Why?
It seems to be a very 50/50 split about whether people like this role. Some people love it and others hate it. It all depends on how lucky you get when you get given a role. Over 75% of my graduate colleagues have resigned in my area because of how poorly they have been treated and the working conditions
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
1/5
The role I applied for was not the role I was given. The job description that I was provided doesn’t match what I currently do. Reading current job descriptions for the same role, they are still the same as the one I applied for, but the roles described are no where near what the job actually is.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be yourself as much as you can in the interview, talk about your passions as well as your experiences and try to make the interview flow like a conversation not an interrogation
