Software Development Engineer Apprentice Review

On a day to day basis I can be writing requirements, producing design documents, implementing code, bug fixing or testing the software which is used on the typhoon simulator. I can be working in the office, from home or at another bae site such as Warton. I have previously produced wiring looms and electronic systems during the apprenticeship.

I have learnt lots of new skills. Before become a software development engineer I worked in a manufacturing environment mainly fitting and machining on conventional and NC machines, so had never really done any software. I have learnt to design and develop software from the ground up, The only prior knowledge I had was programming in mazatrol which was used on the machines I had previously run.

I am really enjoying the programme its exciting and varied. Most days involve a new and different challenge, which I have to overcome. I get to occasionally fly on the typhoon simulator that I am involved in making which will be used to train the next generation of pilots on.

The programme is very well organised/structured. On the site where I work we have numerous assessors that we can go to for help with our NVQs and other parts of the apprenticeship. There is also a big network of people involved with training over at the ASK at Salmesbury which are always available to help/support when required.

I am supported really well by my employer they empower me to make my own decisions and give me a felling that I can speak up of I have a problem or disagree with something going on in my department or the wider business. If I am stuck with any work I have been assigned their are plenty of people in the team and within the department that are always happy to help.

I receive lots of support from my employer. An example of this was when I had been stuck with my project for the dissertation I had been doing for university. I spoke with my manager who assigned a person from the business who coached me and helped me go forward with my project.

I feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps me to perform better in the role I am in as I had never done any software before starting the apprenticeship and would have found it extremely difficult not having done a computer science degree. I was started from the ground up on the very basics when starting the qualification.

There are lots of extra curricular activities to get involved with at work such as bowling nights, nights out, 5 aside football, yoga, mental health awareness forums and professional talks from leaders in the aerospace industry. I previously have gone to the horse races and meals out organised by work.

Yes

I would recommend BAE systems as the apprenticeship is world leading. There is also an great package including: salary, good pension, share scheme, green car scheme, cycle to work scheme. They provide a paid for degree, NVQ level 4, and before completing the apprenticeship there is an opportunity to gain chartered engineer status.

The advice I would give when applying to BAE Systems is to go for it. Even if you find you don't enjoy the role you initially apply for there is plenty of opportunities to move into different areas in the business. There are opportunities to be seconded to other sites in the UK or abroad, all over the world. It is an exciting time to be entering the business with the FCAS program at the very start, and programs such as dreadnought with 20+ years of work on it.