Working here means being part of something that genuinely matters. Our purpose — to protect those who protect us — isn't a slogan. It shapes every project we take on, every team we build, and every decision we make. Many people are drawn to us because of our mission-critical work, but they stay because of the culture: a supportive community built on mutual respect, shared ambition, and an authentic sense of camaraderie. We innovate alongside teams that want each other to succeed, in an environment where everyone's contribution matters and the quality of our work has real consequences in the world.

A career here connects your passion and ingenuity to one of the most important missions there is: defending national security and protecting lives. You'll work on breakthrough technology — from advanced electronic warfare systems and combat aircraft to cyber intelligence and digital engineering — with colleagues who are among the best in their fields. Beyond the work itself, we invest seriously in the people who do it. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, a 401(k) with company matching on the first 6% of salary, flexible and remote working options, the 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off), family support including fertility, adoption and caregiving assistance, and an Employee Assistance Programme covering counselling, childcare and more. We've been recognised by Forbes, Built In, Disability:IN and Military Friendly as one of the best places to work — awards that reflect what employees actually experience, not just what we say about ourselves.

Our portfolio is broad enough that careers can go in many directions — from engineering and programme management to cyber, intelligence, digital transformation and beyond. We support growth through structured pathways including our Operations Leadership Development Programme (OLDP), a three-year rotational programme giving early-career talent exposure across multiple business areas and locations. Apprenticeship and graduate schemes are a cornerstone of how we build talent: in the UK alone we have more than 5,500 apprentices and graduates in training, with a record intake of nearly 2,700 new positions announced for 2024. Many former apprentices have reached the top ranks of the company. Whether you're just starting out or looking to step into senior leadership, there's a path here.

We invest approximately £180 million annually in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK alone, reflecting how seriously we take the development of our people. Learning here is continuous: from technical skills development and engineering accreditation to leadership programmes and annual ethics training that every employee completes. Our conversation-based ethics training is delivered face-to-face by line managers, using real scenarios to develop judgement and ethical reasoning in teams. For specialist roles, we offer rotational programmes that provide hands-on exposure to multiple disciplines. We also partner with universities on degree apprenticeships — a model that earns a full degree while working — and have launched industry-first programmes with Flinders University and others to upskill workers in Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing.

We look for people who are motivated by purpose — those who want their work to matter and are willing to push for results in complex, high-stakes environments. Technical depth is important across most of our roles: engineering, software development, data science, cyber, and programme management are core disciplines, and STEM qualifications or equivalent experience are typically required. Many roles also require the ability to obtain a security clearance, particularly those supporting government and intelligence customers. We actively seek out veterans and transitioning service members, whose leadership, discipline and mission mindset are a natural fit for how we work. We also value cognitive diversity — people who think differently, challenge constructively, and bring perspectives that make our teams stronger. If you're looking for a place where your ingenuity can have real impact, this is it.

The process starts with searching and applying for open roles on our careers site, where you can browse by location, discipline or clearance level. Our talent acquisition team reviews applications and will reach out to candidates who are a strong match. We hold regular hiring events — including dedicated engineering events for specific business units — both in-person and virtually, which are a great way to connect with our recruiters and learn about specific teams before formally applying. For cleared roles, the process will include a background investigation and security clearance adjudication, which takes additional time. We support candidates throughout this process. Our onboarding is designed to set you up for success from day one — connecting you with your team, introducing you to our culture and values, and giving you the tools to make an immediate contribution. Reasonable accommodations are available at every stage for candidates who need them.

Many of our roles require or will require a government security clearance — this is a condition of the work we do, not something to be concerned about. If you don't currently hold clearance, we can support you through the process. It does add time to the hiring timeline, so factor that in. We offer hybrid and remote working options across a significant portion of our roles, and many sites operate the 9/80 schedule — working slightly longer hours over nine days in exchange for every other Friday off. Job scam alerts: we've seen cases of individuals impersonating BAE Systems recruiters. Legitimate offers will always come through official channels (baesystems.com or jobs.baesystems.com) and we will never ask for payment or personal financial information during recruitment. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't — check our careers site directly.

Our ambition is to be the leading employer in defence and security for diversity, equity and inclusion — and that starts with how we hire. We give full and fair consideration to all applicants and are committed to a hiring process that is equitable and accessible. We have set clear targets: 50% of our Executive Committee to be women by 2030, and 30% of our UK workforce to be women by 2030. We run a range of employee-led inclusion networks covering gender, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability and neurodiversity, and veteran status. We've earned a perfect score of 100 on the Disability:IN Disability Equality Index for nine consecutive years and are active members of The Valuable 500. We actively recruit veterans, people with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented STEM backgrounds, including through partnerships with FIRST Robotics, Girls Who Code, and the American Association of University Women.