BAE Systems

BAE Systems 2026 graduate opportunities

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Own your future. Shape a safer tomorrow.

At BAE Systems, we create advanced technology that helps protect people and national security across air, land, sea, and cyber. On a graduate or undergraduate programme with us, you’ll play a meaningful role in shaping a safer, more secure future for generations to come.

From day one, you’ll do purposeful work on real-world projects that matter. Whether your passion lies in engineering, digital, business or project management, you’ll be supported by world-class training, experienced mentors and inclusive networks that help you thrive.

We believe diversity fuels innovation. That’s why your background, ideas and unique perspective will be valued, and your hard work recognised. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team where you’ll be empowered to pioneer, solve and grow. Working together towards a shared purpose - protecting those who protect us.

As a graduate at BAE Systems, you can expect to build deep expertise, explore limitless opportunities across disciplines and geographies, gaining industry recognised qualifications along the way. With long-term career prospects and work that truly makes an impact, you’ll find the security and freedom to shape a career that’s uniquely yours.

From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space - there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Join us - pioneer your future today.

Why BAE Systems?

  • ~110,000 diverse workforce in more than 40 countries
  • £12.7m contributed to local, national and international organisations throughout 2024
  • 40,959 hours volunteered by our employees working with charities and not-for-profit organisations
  • 27th The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2024

Rewards and benefits

Market-leading benefits: As a graduate, you can expect a starting salary of £34,000, as well as a £2,000 welcome bonus and an optional 20% salary advance. As an undergraduate, salaries start at £24,300 pro rata. 

Inclusion: An inclusive team is a creative and innovative team. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to thrive. Who you are should never define what you can do. 

Learning and development: If you’d curious and open to new opportunities, we’ll help you reach you potential. See how we’ll support you to continually learn and develop a fulfilling career. 

Experience and qualifications: you’ll get hands-on experiences working on real-life projects. On many of the graduate development programmes, we’ll also fully fund professional qualifications. 

Graduate opportunities

Whether you’re straight out of university or looking for a to change your career change, you’ll join an inclusive and collaborative team at the forefront of innovation. Joining the graduate programme will equip you with lifelong skills across a variety of areas including engineering, technology or business. Our non-rotational programme varies in duration and structure. 

Undergraduate opportunities

Our undergraduate placements offer a valuable first step in your career enabling you to gain practical, hands-on experience at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. Whether you join us for a 12-month industrial placement, or a 12-week summer internship; you’ll get first-class mentoring from inspiring people as well as have the ability to work on high-profile projects. Successful placements could lead to a full time permanent graduate  position. 

Nationality restrictions

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks. Click here for more information on national security vetting levels.

Reasonable adjustments

We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Case studies

  • Name: Sam
  • Role: Graduate Electrical Engineer
  • University: University of Sheffield
  • Degree: BE in electrical and electronic engineering

I really do learn something new all the time. All the different systems that I work on are at the forefront of innovation... I get to cover such a broad range of work.

Description:

Sam is a graduate electrical engineer, working on submarines in Barrow-in-Furness.

‘I graduated with a BE in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Sheffield and started with BAE Systems straight out of uni, joining as a graduate electrical engineer.

I’m currently working in the submarine sector. It sounds like a cliché, but I really do learn something new all the time. All the different systems that I work on are at the forefront of innovation, and I get to learn about different standards of communication and technologies that aren’t used anywhere else but in submarines. My favourite thing about the job is that I get to cover such a broad range of work across the electrical engineering department, combining practical work with understanding the theory behind it. I really enjoy working with all the other people in my team – everyone I’ve worked with has always been supportive and there to help me.

The work-life balance here is great. We do work hard as a team to get the job done, but there is flexibility in our working week. With flexi-hours we can finish at 12.30 on Fridays. And if I need to leave early to get something done in the afternoon, I can come in early and finish early. I have so much free time to use – which means I get to spend more time with family and friends and on my hobbies outside of work.

Loads of social activities are organised for us – not only is the social life great, but knowing my colleagues really well also helps us work together as a team. A lot of the grads I started with play different sports together every Tuesday and Wednesday, and I also play sport with the team in my office on Mondays.

We’re given lots of responsibility from the get-go - in my first few months, I was given the opportunity to work in different labs and on lots of different systems. There’s constant support and reassurance, and that’s really boosted my confidence and has ensured I’m able to progress and develop quickly.'

  • Name: Simone
  • Role: Graduate Electrical Engineer
  • Degree: Electrical and electronic engineering

I love the flexibility that I get within my team … I’m a STEM ambassador which means I get to talk to school kids about STEM, help onboard new graduates, and hopefully inspire other young women to work in STEM.

Description:

Simone is a graduate electrical engineer, working on submarines in Filton.

‘I studied electrical and electronic engineering as an undergraduate, followed by a master’s in Sustainable Energy Entrepreneurship. When I saw the graduate programme advertised, there were specific electrical and electronic engineering roles available close to my home near Bristol, so the opportunity was perfect for me.

I've been at BAE Systems since autumn as a graduate electrical engineer, working in our submarine sector. I’ve been able to follow my passions of engineering and sustainability and apply my education to developing cutting-edge technology. I find it interesting that we’re working on something that’s so future-focussed and I’m excited to see how it might turn out. It gives me a real sense of pride to contribute to protecting the country alongside the submarines team and the Royal Navy.

I love the flexibility that I get within my team – I get to work the hours that suit me and work from home when I need to.Being in a team that respects and supports each other’s personal needs and commitments is really important to me. Having work-life balance is good for everyone’s wellbeing and helps me with travel and to live my life outside of work.

Many of the work friendships I’ve made started with a two-week immersion at our Head Office, which was a great opportunity for all of the graduates to meet and get to know each other. It was clear from the beginning that there’s a very supportive culture at BAE Systems – we try our best for each other at work but also take the time to socialise. And the other engineers in my team are always there for me when I need help.

Hopefully in the future I’ll have the chance to travel to America or even Australia. There are extra-curricular opportunities too – I’m a STEM ambassador which means I get to talk to school kids about STEM, help onboard new graduates, and hopefully inspire other young women to work in STEM. Training within the team is excellent - already I’ve been to a week-long training event in Birmingham which was very interesting and helpful to my role and future career. There is also the opportunity to apply to work at different sites, so moving around to different towns and cities is made easy.

Everyone I’ve met has been so open and helpful, and the early careers team have made me feel so welcome.'

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