Graduate Business Development

Graduate Air Business Development

Location: Warton / Samlesbury (Lancashire)

Start Date: 8th September 2025

Here at BAE Systems Air, we have a long and proud heritage in the development, manufacture, upgrade, and support of world-leading combat and fast jet trainer aircraft. Today, we operate across the globe, in multiple markets to support our customers – wherever, whenever and whatever their challenges may be. We support them across the whole life cycle of the air sector – from design, development, and production, through to the provision of aircraft, training, support, and maintenance.

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 underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

What you will be doing

We are operating in a more dynamic and competitive market environment than ever before. The Business Development Graduate role offers a unique opportunity to develop your career through involvement across business-winning activities of the Air Sector. You will work as an integral part of a team with a customer-focused mindset, often working in partnership with the UK Government, our international customers, and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifying opportunities for new business.
• Supporting many aspects of business winning to drive and achieve growth aligned with the company strategy.
• Exposure to teams with expertise including Market and Business Development, Government and Customer Relations, Industrialisation, Competitive Intelligence, Bid and Proposal Management, and Stakeholder visits.
• Helping define country and regional strategies and identify routes to market for our products and services.
• Gaining experience in stakeholder management and building customer relationships.

Skills

As a minimum requirement, you’ll need to have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a 2.2 in your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Management, International Business, International Relations, Politics, International Studies, Languages, or Humanities.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

We encourage employees to explore projects beyond their primary responsibilities, providing them with diverse experiences. With a wide range of products and a multinational presence, there are ample opportunities for employees to engage in various projects and initiatives.

Community Involvement

In addition to professional development, BAE Systems values community engagement. Employees are encouraged to participate in community projects, STEM initiatives, and employee resource groups, offering valuable learning experiences outside of their regular roles.

Retention and Career Development

Recognising the importance of retaining talented individuals, we offer sponsorship, career development support, and high-potential development programs. These initiatives aim to help employees plan their careers effectively and provide opportunities for accelerated development for those who demonstrate aspiration, ability, and performance.

Benefits

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance, and a company-contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work, and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

On commencement of employment, you will be paid a one-off non-consolidated lump sum payment of £2,000 (the “Welcome Payment”). The Welcome Payment is subject to the normal deductions and will be paid with your first salary payment. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to ease your transition, whether this be relocation cost, securing housing, ensuring smooth and reliable transport needs, anything to help kick-start your career in BAE Systems.

Inclusivity within our recruitment process

We 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.

Our environmental responsibility

As a future-focused business, we’re committed to changing the world we live in for the better. Our target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, we’re innovating new ways to develop on-site renewable electricity and setting ambitious targets for water consumption and waste generation.

Export Control/Security

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.