Higher Apprenticeship Software Engineering

Job Description

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Software Engineer (Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship) 
Start Date: September 2025

Location: Leeds
 

Role Profile 

The Apprenticeship is designed to give you the confidence and technical capability to support our customers’ mission to deliver a safer future for the UK. You will be provided with the tools, training and support you need to become a rounded Software Engineer in the sector, whilst gaining a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Software Engineering.

Key Programme features

• An integrated programme delivering learning that supports a strong sense of progression, continuity and collaboration whilst building IT excellence. 
• A strong foundation in practical interpersonal and business skills
• Working in teams utilising Agile methodologies
• World class technical training in the latest software engineering languages and approaches – including Java and JavaScript development, Software Testing, DevOps & cloud computing;
• Industry recognised qualifications including: Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship; Oracle Java Certified; BCS Level 4 Diploma in Software Development Methodologies; Microsoft MTA HTML Level 5 Application Development fundamentals.
• Subject Matter Experts (SME's) imparting experience and knowledge to ensure you have the skills to succeed
• Practical experience of hands-on learning to solve real life business challenges

Who are we looking for?

• Strong interest in Computer Science
• Understanding of coding

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of 96 UCAS points gained via STEM A-Level qualifications or equivalent (eg. BTEC)
• Plus at least 5 GCSEs at grade A*- C / Level 4-9, including Mathematics, English and ICT.
• Eligible for a Government Security Clearance

What’s in it for you?

• Work-life balance is important; you’ll get 25 days holiday a year and, via our flexible benefits package the option to buy/sell and carry over from the year before
• Our flexible benefits package includes; private medical and dental insurance, a competitive pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, taste cards and more
• You’ll have a dedicated Career Manager to help you develop your career and guide you on your journey through BAE
• You are welcome to join any/all of our Diversity and Support groups.  These groups cover everything from gender diversity to mental health and wellbeing.
• Competitive starting salary, rising over the course of the programme
• Higher Education opportunity fully funded 

Security Clearance

Only those with the permanent and unrestricted right to live and work in the UK will be considered for a position within BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. Due to the nature of our, work successful candidates for this role will be required to go through Government SC clearance prior to starting with us. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance

What are the next steps?

• CV Submission & Review
• Digital Assessment
• Live Interview

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.

We also 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.

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.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence 

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential. 

Division overview: Capabilities

At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Capabilities is the engine that keeps the business moving forward. It is the largest area of Digital Intelligence, containing our Engineering, Consulting and Project Management teams that design and implement the defence solutions and digital transformation projects that make us a globally recognised brand in both the public and private sector.

As a member of the Capabilities team, you will be creating and managing the solutions that earn us our place in an ever changing digital world. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.