Graduate Hardware Engineer

Job Title    Graduate Electronic Systems Hardware Engineer 

Location    Rochester (Kent)

Start Date    8th September 2025

BAE Systems do offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements, however it is expected on our Graduate programme you will be required to attend your site a minimum of 4 days per week. Please note, this may be subject to change in line with the needs of the business. The hybrid working arrangements including which days you are required to work on site/remotely will be outlined by your line manager.

Salary    £34,000 & £2,000 Welcome Bonus 

The BAE Systems’ Rochester site in Kent employs more than 1,600 people and is growing for the future. Recognised as a technology pioneer, the electronics based site has delivered world leading controls and display solutions for more than 70 years. Its talented workforce are at the forefront of exciting electronic technologies, including augmented reality displays for pilots, active control sticks and flight control computers. 

Why BAE Systems?
This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently under represented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

What you will be doing
As a Graduate you’ll will work with the team making recommendations about electronic product content, optimise hardware and software design concepts, and develop sophisticated design processes and text complex products. Gaining exposure to the entire project lifecycle, you’ll play a key role in both maintaining our existing systems and developing new technologies

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Assessment of equipment behaviour and fault diagnosis.
•    Assessment of new technologies and components.
•    Conducting laboratory tests and capturing data.
•    Circuit / firmware simulation and modelling.
•    Data analysis.
•    Preparation of technical reports.

Skills
As a minimum requirement you’ll need to have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a 2.2 in your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics, Electronics in combination with Electrical or Computing or Physics, Computer Systems Engineering. 

Opportunities for Growth and Development: We encourage employees to explore projects beyond their primary responsibilities, providing them with diverse experiences. With a wide range of products and a multinational presence, there are ample opportunities for employees to engage in various projects and initiatives.

Community Involvement: In addition to professional development BAE Systems value community engagement. Employees are encouraged to participate in community projects, STEM initiatives, and employee resource groups, offering valuable learning experiences outside of their regular roles.

Retention and Career Development: Recognising the importance of retaining talented individuals, we offer sponsorship, career development support, and high-potential development programs. These initiatives aim to help employees plan their careers effectively and provide opportunities for accelerated development for those who demonstrate aspiration, ability, and performance.

Benefits
You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

On commencement of employment you will be paid a one-off non-consolidated lump sum payment of £2,000 (the “Welcome Payment”). The Welcome Payment is subject to the normal deductions and will be paid with your first salary payment. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to ease your transition, whether this be relocation cost, securing housing, ensuring smooth and reliable transport needs, anything to help kick-start your career in BAE Systems. 

Inclusivity within our recruitment process
We 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.

Our environmental responsibility
As a future-focused business we’re committed to changing the world we live in for the better. Our target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, we’re innovating new ways to develop on-site renewable electricity and setting ambitious targets for water consumption and waste generation.

Export Control/Security
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.

As a minimum requirement you’ll need to have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a 2.2 in your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics, Electronics in combination with Electrical or Computing or Physics, Computer Systems Engineering.