My career with BAE Systems began when I joined as a Manufacturing Engineer in the graduate programme over eight years ago. Coming straight out of university, I applied to BAE Systems, as one of the top employers for different types of manufacturing and engineering opportunities. So I took the job in Barrow, moved down straight from university and have been here ever since.
I stayed with the company after the graduate role for the opportunities it gave me. The team I wanted to move to didn’t exist, so I got to build a new team from scratch. Initially there were just the two of us, with my manager and I working across the new and existing teams and we've now been able to build up a team of people to join us. I wasn't in a senior position, however I've always felt like I've had responsibility right from the start, so it’s been quite good to get that opportunity. I think it was an opportunity that I wouldn’t have got anywhere else.
Being part of a global community, I’m given opportunities to work on different projects across the sector rather than just submarines. I work with global working groups as part of my role, we share technology ideas and solutions that have worked, or not, so that we’re not repeating the same things – these include people from Europe, America and Australia. I was recently involved in a working group with a local hospital that had employees from multiple sectors bringing their expertise to support the project. This allows me to work with different people and also learn from others who have different backgrounds.Caroline, Principal Manufacturing Engineer
One of my recent and ongoing projects is the delivery of an asset management tool using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This project has significantly changed the logistic process at submarines and was an opportunity to work with people at all levels in the business to make a real difference to how we operate.
I work about 30% at home and 70% on site. I like working from home as it gives me a space to work without interruptions from noise and people around me so I can work on pieces that take concentration. It also provides me with more flexibility in my work schedule for example, I can exercise over my lunch break and get outside more, especially important in the winter. From home, I can do a lot of business case writing, applying for funding and reading and signing off design documents. Once the finished designs get to the site as physical items, I implement them on site. I have found that I love doing the practical side of the work, which I didn’t think I would. I thought I would be very office based, but the on site practical side keeps your head in the game.
BAE Systems is very good at supporting women and there are so many opportunities for women in engineering. Working at BAE Systems has allowed me to develop and I think it’s made me a completely different person from who I was when I graduated. I'm now more confident and less introverted. I would say to anyone looking for a graduate role just go for it, stand up and be you.
This is my BAE Systems story, find yours by joining today.