BAE relies on "Temp" people to do their jobs, and you are just that a "TEMP" Deal with it and accept it, look for nothing more amidst their lies to the employees. Promises of "Keeping" those who excel.
As I am a 25 year professional in the Military documentation development, managing teams of people, excelling in efficiencies and clarity in vehicle documentation for our "Warfighters'. Only to be "LAID OFF" by BAE within 5 months, due to said "Budget" reasons and NEVER called back.
Documentation material doesn't even match to the current re-power equipment, loosey goosey all around and top management does nothing. As a management professional in the DoD work, alone with the proper team, I could have turned them around to a "higher" level of efficiencies and profit.
Restructuring will never happen and all management only strives to keep their positions, when I offered and suggestions and remedies to strengthen the team structure, I was looked down upon, possibly a threat to their "Culture" of overspending and misrepresentation. Sad day for myself and those that were positioned under me,Sad Day!!!
Major company that can't pay for or manage paternity leave (Wallops Island)
This company feels like a polished and sophisticated dumpster. You could expect a regular 40 hour week and find yourself signing your timesheet with 80 hours for the week.
Communication on tasks and just in general is deplorable and any sort of criticism, however professional and constructive it may be, is ignored or retaliated against.
Expect to perform duties well beyond the scope of your job title and to not be compensated as such. Raises do not exist and neither do promotions because of "contract obstacles".
You can try to take paternity leave but don't expect anyone to know how to properly register you for it. My experience had me go without pay for nearly a month even after I did everything I was supposed to properly.
The most enjoyable portion of this job was the people you felt the pain with, however, we all quit, so even that is gone.
Enjoy working with co-workers. Other than that, I have nothing good to say about BAE Systems.
Management is terrible. Promises are never kept. Pay is little more than minimum wage. No way to advance.
Co- workers are fine once you get to know them, but difficult at first. Many employees are leaving for better jobs, myself included. Never get positive feedback. I'm sorry I took this job. I had two choices for employment and sorry to say I chose the worst company.
ProsFlex time.
ConsBenefits not good. Management not good. Under appreciated . No way to advance, or make more money.
4.0
Director of Business Development | Austin, TX | Mar 21, 2014
Excellent industry leader in Aerospace and Defense
Great corporation, provides senior leaders maximum latitude to grown strategy and business. One of the industry leaders of mission applications for the Army Warfighter. Very professional coworkers- able to work and lead cross functional teams to develop business strategy and grow the business.
ProsAccountability, open communicatios to multiple levels of executive leadership to achieve actions, do what is right
I dig it here. I love to weld so it’s not really “work” and the days go by fast. We are union so that has its pros and cons. Feeling the stress of upcoming contract negotiations now. Just being left it a state of wonder. Honestly if the contract stayed the same I’d be fine with it. I really don’t have any issues with the current contract. I’d like to keep coming to work and make that money.
ProsOvertime.
ConsSome really annoying people
4.0
Executive Assistant to Vice President | Nashua, NH | Oct 26, 2018
I had a nice career at BAE Systems
I worked my way up the ranks as an administrative assistant, starting as support to a Director and eventually working to support Vice Presidents. I truly enjoyed volunteering my personal time to volunteering to assist the Men and Woman who served our Country.
cooperative and efficient team work with a fun enjoyable environment
Amazing working environment with a satisfactory salary and benefits. It needs full dedications from employees even if work requires relocating to a near by associate entities. Worked overtime sometimes while it was possible to push it to the next day.
Great company. I started as an analyst and move my way up to project manager within a few years. I served with a great team and management. Work was busy, but I enjoyed every moment of the opportunity I was given. My plans though, after almost 8 years, was to move back to Central Texas and settle down with family.
BAE has been great for my family. Really good aboit work life balance. That is more supervisor based than company driven though. Work can get stressful at times but need to make sure you get away. Pay could be a little more on par with the area.
Great company to work for, they have a pay scale available to all employees so you know the general range for each position. PTO is generous at starting at 3 weeks plus about 25 personal holiday hours and you move to 4 weeks at 4 years. 401k plan matches 100% up to 6% and is vested at start date.
Busy, often stressfull but satisfying within a good team
I was in a fairly unusual situation. BAE employ both local Saudis and expat workers. At the place I worked, the expats were few and for the last 2 years, just me. The workplace was out in the desert, 30 miles away from the main base and we felt, usually justifiably, that we were the forgotten.
The range was open as required but usually from 0800 untill end of night flying, usually about 2100. This would be 5 days a week but sometimes weekend flying would be nessercary.
The working shift would depend on number of RSOs ( Range Safety Controllers ) available which for a year was only me untill more were recruited and trained.
Range slots were allocated by the main base and split the flying day evenly between all the squadrons and these slot timings had to be strictly adhered to. Despite this, every day, aircraft would turn up early and late for their slots but still expect to be allowed on.
You soon learn that tact and diplomacy are needed constantly to try and keep the user aircrew happy explaining carefully why they can or cannot do some of the things they ask to do.
The management of the range is split. The RSAF are responsible for the infrastructure, airspace management and regulations through an officer at main base and a uniformed Warrant Officer at the range. He is also responsible for managing the RSAF staff and civilian workers at the range. BAE are responsible for the BAE personnel and their administration.
Both sets of management seem to favour the " If
ProsExcellent accomodation, leave scheme and facilities.
ConsCan be long, hot days. Cultural and language differences.
Senior Project Engineer
BAE Systems
September 2013 – Present (2 months)barrow-in-furness, england
Implementing a 'Learning from Experience' process and culture across Maritime Submarines, as part of a focused cost saving initiative.
BAE SystemsProject Management Graduate
BAE Systems
September 2011 – August 2013 (2 years)Barrow-in-Furness
A Project Management Graduate on a £9.1bn programme for one of the country's leading heavy engineering defence companies. I have undertaken the below roles covering many aspects of project management:
Events
* Working closely with key stakeholders at every level of the business to ensure the effective delivery of events.
* Liaising with customers to ascertain their precise event requirements.
* Developing, implementing and managing events.
* Organising open days, conferences, away days, assessment centres and recruitment campaigns.
* Working closely with exhibitors, stand owners and contractors.
* Budget & schedule management.
Graduate Recruitment
* Delivering a successful recruitment drive across the UK for the BAE Systems Graduate and Trainee Schemes.
* Organising and delivering assessment centres, Company open days, and school, college and University recruitment presentations/events.
* Acting as Campus Manager organising and attending recruitment events at targeted Universities.
* Supporting the Learning & Development Graduate and Trainee Manager in all other aspects of the Early Careers Schemes.
Learning & Devel
Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) System.
Performs sensor operations, area searches, and other sensor support tasks.
Accomplishes higher headquarters tasking and reporting requirements.
Accomplishes mission scheduling before the start of the operational period by identifying tasking to be accomplished during the operational period.
Schedules observation attempts to provide proper time separation within weather, equipment, and tasking constraints based on collection requirements.
Performs manual scheduling, special sensor settings, and other special techniques.
Performs required post-mission activities including maintaining any applicable operations logs, recorded data, and workload data. Documents operations, security events, equipment status, authorized software changes, shift changes, changing of the Zulu day, and any other significant events in an operations log.
Completes sensor and mount calibrations in accordance with GEODSS technical orders.
Performs assignments relative to the implementation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and facilities requiring knowledge of communications equipment/procedures and the ability to operate radio/communications equipment, sensors, and other consoles, computers, recording instrumentation, and other instrumentation and/or equipment peculiar to the GEODSS system.
Completes initial and monthly recurring training and maintains certification for operations positions. Completes Government and corporate ancillary training.
Performs operational checkout and pr
ProsNegitive work environment, site lead lied a TON.
ConsSensor Operator positions because people leave after a year.
High profile, but has embedded tribes, divisive and cliquey. Avoid.
Very toxic work style. I was incorporated with just one interview by the one manager - no second interview or second opinion or thought for my skills - just needed a quick, short-term fill. I had an impoverished onboarding, not even shown the fire escapes at work, Notwithstanding, the offices in UK where I was based were very comfortable and modern with rest areas and kitchenette and overall pretty comfortable and well lit. However, the gossip, banter and open office format meant that rows and meetings - if not held in rooms - were public. In one occasion a Manager and her report were gossiping in front of me in a conspiratorial way, one then mentioned my role - a similar one to many in the UK - and immediately went into stage whisper module, ducking their heads down in front of me as if to hide the fact they saw me notice. Grown adults, the senior one supposedly an 'expert' in conflict resolution and creating safe places! For a new hire, it was appalling. Several managers and high ranking people involved in my workstreams were off sick or not expected to return, for unexplained reasons. The backstabbing I heard was also shocking. The first 2 weeks in the company, the specialist coordinating the project overview I was assigned to was dissed before our weekly meetings by my superior, both to myself and a colleague saying he hated these meetings and the controls and agenda did not count anyway. This project lead left I had had 2 weekly meetings with her. On another occ
3.0
Senior Collection Manager | Afghanistan | Oct 1, 2014
Professional and motivated workplace at CJSOTF-A
Working as the lead Collection Manager at CJSOTF-A. Based on commander’s priority intelligence requirements (PIR), coordinated with chief operations (J3) and intelligence (J2) officers to create collection plans that satisfied all requirements. Managed all requests for collection, ISR Bids, and ad hoc requests to support future and current SOF operations for multiple intelligence discipline (IMINT, GEOINT, MASINT, SIGINT) collection requirements. Aligned information needs to established intelligence priorities and core collection objectives. Fused SOF ground unit requirements with higher echelon collection requirements in order to maximize intelligence efforts. Translated received collection requirements into discipline-specific language in accordance with appropriate guidance. Coordinated with various units in order to maximize effectiveness of intelligence collection and to share intelligence obtained. Coordinated with PED cells to ensure final intelligence products met or exceeded customers’ requirements and expectations. For ISR assessments, identified collection gaps, trends and opportunities; assessed trade-offs, tested assumptions, and produced original and incisive judgments, solutions and recommendations to better refine collection based on statistical models and supported unit feedback. Examined all aspects of collection management for opportunities to incorporate leading edge concepts, best practices and innovative techniques such as sequencing, cross-cueing, disp
Great Team environment,fun job, lead by a good management team.
With all positions I have held throughout my career, I have had the ability to communicate confidently with the Team Leaders, Business/Client Stakeholders and Senior Executives. I quickly build and unite teams towards common objectives with my enthusiastic personality and communication skills.
I have been responsible for planning and implementing work activities according to strict policy and procedures. This has been achieved through careful planning and commitment through the stewardship of my team and drive and enthusiasm for my profession. I actively cultivate my relationships with team leaders and identify and engage mentors to develop my skills (if required).
In my private sector experience to date, I have been responsible and accountable for the provision of correct and timely information to all my direct and indirect managers. I have a proven track record in communicating to my team leaders and providing impartial and forthright advice. I critically analyse my own performance and seek feedback from my Manager. In addition, I ensure that the outcomes for which I am responsible have documented processes put in place that are auditable and accountable.
The knowledge and experience I have gained by working on various Teams within the BAE Systems has given me a solid foundation in managing expectations of stakeholders, working collaboratively and efficiently with various professionals and harnessing a collegial working environment.
ProsExceptional training and learning environment
ConsWould have like to stay but contract finishes2015
Great team enviroment ,with a can do attitude with a decreasing amount of work.
A typical day at work would start at 0730 with initiating all the test equipment needed for the day then checking with the team leader if there were any special or urgent jobs required.Next would be a communication with other company areas to coordinate use of other shared test equipment.Then testing circuit cards and wiring assemblies from multiple projects for most of the day.Writing and printing test reports and test failure reports as I went along.Prior to the end of the day at 1600 my time would be taken up fault finding and completing test logs.
Ive learnt a lot in how to communicate and work with anyone from micro managers to away you go and let me know only if theres a problem managers.Ive also learnt how to critique and rewrite test procedures with engineers with the view that anyone off the street can do the test.
Management on the whole were quite good except for the fact they were constantly under pressure to find work and as a consequence had little time for the small things needed for the workers.
My co-workers were a great team and great fun to work and socialise with. Each had their expertise and in turn was utilized to get the job done.
The hardest part of the job was trying to keep to an ever changing schedule and filling in time sheets utilizing the full day when there was no work but the most fullfilling part of the job was succeeding in this and keeping the failure rate to a minimum.
Prosworking with a good team with excellent conditions
Consbad job security, with a constant threat of retrenchments.
I was with BAE Systems for 13 years in total. My second stint was 9 years long.
I returned to a project facing role and started within the service part of the business. This involved working on bids and contracts for different customers that required an after sales repair/replacement service. There were many different types of contracts covering both commercial and government offices. I oversaw contract negotiation with suppliers, reviewing technical documentation with input from functional stakeholders and represented Procurement within the bid team IPT.
After 5 years I moved to NPI where I once again was part of both bid and project teams. Specialising in Head Up Displays and Helmet Mounted Displays, I worked with all functions to ensure that both external and internal customer requirements could be met by the supply chain and vice versa. I was responsible for risk management, procurement plan execution, prime estimate inputs, relationship management and commercial/contract negotiation.
I also qualified as a Greenbelt, which I used by managing improvement projects, and an internal auditor; meaning I could audit suppliers as part of the process verification procedure.
The hardest part of my job was ensuring short deadlines were met when required and also managing suppliers new to certain product development.
The most enjoyable part was managing relationships with suppliers and executing business improvements.
ProsPersonal development, travel and team working.
ConsHard deadlines, conflict management, inconsistency of workload.
The Company & Product is impressive and looks good and interesting to outsiders; the pay and benefits also very good especially the Shares Scheme.
Having come from an employment world of redundancies I worked hard in higher education to qualify myself for a career in this blue chip multi corporation. Alas once in I haven't got anywhere despite hard work and successful efforts to improvements; zero appreciation, zero recognition, zero support to improve one’s self worth, in fact the total opposite feeling deliberately held back. Same level colleagues are fantastic, some very clever hardworking and kind people within the business; we pull together very well, having to due to terribly poor middle management up to executive level who have no experience, knowledge and worse still, drive and ability to learn; often career hopping from one position to another with no loyalty to the job they took on. A real shame to know what really goes on behind closed doors.
Ideal to coast and ride the gravy train to retirement whether you want to or not.
Personal opinion to ultimate management failure - Project Managers, the latest fashion of the decade that could quite possibly eventually run the multinational aerospace into the ground.
ProsAnnual pay increase, Shares Scheme, Flexibility to work life balance. Cool and interesting products.
ConsPoor Management, Poor Executives, Too many Project Managers, Career Blockers, No Management Loyalty, Regular Management Career Hopping, Regular Re-Structures of Organisation always for the worse.
Typical day at work: professional yet fairly relaxed environment, consisted mainly of disassembling the electronic components of various missile systems and running calibrations and environmental testing using specialized machines. Reports on each part tested were completed and forwarded onto management before reassembling the electronics and sending them back to the armed forces.
What I learned: teamwork was extremely important, as each team member was a specialist with a different role. Communication and prioritizing tasks were very valuable skills to grasp very quickly in order to meet the tight deadlines imposed by the higher up managers and the clients: the armed forces.
Management: admittedly not much experience with management, although one boss I did meet was a fairly sensible and well mannered
Workplace culture: since teamwork was important, pretty much everyone had to get along really well in order to maximise efficiency. Workplace culture was that of a professional electronics laboratory, but was fairly relaxed as when the calibration and testing machines were started up, there generally wasn't a whole lot of work to do unless some electronics were found to be faulty.
Hardest part: possibly the hours that I attended, as I started every day at 6 am, and it was an hour's drive up there.
Most enjoyable part: getting along with the team and learning about electronics and how they are applied in automated systems.
ProsGreat working environment
Questions And Answers about BAE Systems
If you were in charge, what would you do to make BAE Systems a better place to work?
Asked Oct 31, 2018
Pay Raises and give the employees more vacation time! Customers are number 1
Answered Nov 5, 2020
I would choose experienced employees to supervise. People that will stand up for their employees rather than worry about their own standing with their bosses. You can and will be thrown under the bus by supervisors to protect their career.
Answered Oct 27, 2020
What is the work environment and culture like at BAE Systems?
Asked Jul 5, 2016
Culture in the FAST Labs sector is beyond terrible. They took away vacation time, coffee,cups, plastic wear and now plants. They are literally digging up a 15+ foot tree because they cut the plant service.. people are leaving on a weekly basis. Their supposed to hire 200 ppl and the number for the year is negative. They don’t show that though they show the hired number so they think people are dumb.. If you like to kiss butt then this is the place for you... I can’t live my life like that so I had to leave.
Answered Aug 17, 2019
You will never get a key to the golf cart they do play favorites very unfair with promotions and if you are a contractor look out they're gonna give you the Hard work and get rid of you plus you won't get overtime complain or ask questions and you are out,, pipefitter at large............
Play the game stay alive,
Answered Dec 20, 2018
What questions did they ask during your interview at BAE Systems?
Asked Jul 2, 2016
The questions I was asked were all about technical knowledge of Business Analysis and competency based questions designed to draw out experience and application of technical knowledge. It was challenging but I really enjoyed it. Be honest, be relaxed and know your stuff!!
Answered Jan 13, 2019
What did I consider a weakness and strong point of mine?
Answered Nov 8, 2017
How flexible are your working hours at BAE Systems?
Asked Mar 17, 2020
Any hours I can work Day or Night
Answered Nov 5, 2020
They typically aren't when busy. When it's slow, they can be flexible.
Answered Oct 27, 2020
What is a typical day like for you at BAE Systems?
Asked Mar 17, 2020
Lots of great Customers helping them
Out is my #1 priority! Very busy
Answered Nov 5, 2020
Supervision micromanages and is judgemental of their employees. Makes for a almost hostile work environment. Without actual care for the employees. You're just a number to them.
