Andrew Wade

Defence industry leaders discuss the challenges, opportunities and projects that are shaping careers in the sector

In-Depth

The Engineer spoke to senior engineers at some of the UK’s leading defence companies to find out about what it’s like to work in the sector and the kind of opportunities that are available.

Ongoing turbulent geopolitics and cybersecurity threats mean the defence sector continues to be a cornerstone of UK engineering. From warships and fighter jets to laser weapons and advanced manufacturing, defence sits right at the bleeding edge of technology development. 

But what’s it like to actually work in defence? Similar to most sectors, it demands a multifaceted skillset, with core disciplines like mechanical and electrical engineering sitting alongside software skills and analytics. On some of the big ticket naval projects or future air combat programmes like Tempest, systems engineering takes on a key role, with numerous complex elements needing to be integrated.

To find out more about some of these workplace demands and what it’s like to work in defence, The Engineer spoke to senior engineers at some of the UK’s biggest players in the sector. 

James Orrell - Head of Engineering Projects Group at BAE Systems

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of premium content. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our premium content, as well as the latest technology news, industry opinion and special reports. 

Benefits of registering

  • In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends

  • Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year

  • Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address