Rachael is working on Tempest with Vehicle Systems Integration at Warton, and is about to progress into a new role.
‘My career started almost 16 years ago when I joined the technical apprenticeship scheme at 18, straight from college. BAE Systems came to a career fair to talk about apprenticeships, and this sounded like something for me, so I applied. I was attracted to BAE Systems knowing that, at the time, I didn't want to go to university. I'd chosen to do a BTEC National Diploma at college, as it was more vocational than academic. At that time, I didn't know much about the company other than they work closely with the RAF and they had an apprenticeship scheme which sounded really good. You could work, earn and learn. It was a three-and-a-half-year apprenticeship, and I have never looked back or wanted to leave.
I am about to change to a new role as a Product Technical Manager/Assistant Chief Engineer, still working within Tempest. The work covers integration with FCAS and within the AP&T organisation.
One of my proudest achievement has been working on Typhoon for a few years and having the opportunity to provide holiday relief cover in Taif, Saudi Arabia, which was absolutely phenomenal.
I believe that the company is a cornerstone of manufacturing and engineering. We don't work within the defence industry as you may see on the news. We are vast covering land, air, sea and cyber; we have our own business, finance, HR area, and engineering.
I think the company offers so much movement and flexibility, and this has been the case even before the pandemic. You have opportunities to work in the UK, go abroad, change sectors or even change career location from engineering to procurement or to project management. We have so much diversity internally that I have no reason to look elsewhere.
BAE Systems offer opportunities for all types of people whether they want to become a specialist within their field of work or want to progress up the career ladder. Development is within your gift and you can navigate through your career accordingly. I have both formal and informal mentors that guide me. I also like to give back and support our junior engineers through their careers. I am a STEM ambassador and volunteer for anything with STEM, women or early career starters. I encourage those at careers fairs to research and see that engineering is far more varying than they maybe perceive or know.’
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