Meet Sonali, a Systems Engineering Graduate

Location: Bristol, England

Sector/Business unit: Mission Systems

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:

I chose the Systems Engineering Graduate Programme at Babcock for its structured development and exposure to multiple engineering disciplines. The opportunity to work across different parts of the business and gain insight into the full project lifecycle was a key draw. I also appreciated the programme’s flexibility, including the option to tailor placements to my interests.

Babcock’s supportive graduate community and its focus on both technical and professional growth align with my career goals. The chance to contribute to meaningful projects made this programme the perfect fit for me.

My favourite part of the programme:

My favourite part of the graduate programme is the flexibility it offers. We’re encouraged to take ownership of our development by finding and choosing placements that align with our interests. Most placements last around three months, but they can be tailored to be shorter or longer depending on what works best for us and the team.

Although I’m on the Systems Engineering Graduate Programme, I’ve had the opportunity to do a Mechanical Engineering placement too, which has helped me gain a broad range of experience. I also really appreciate the flexible working culture, including being able to work from home occasionally and having the freedom to structure my schedule to suit my working style.

My most rewarding project/experience:

One of my most rewarding experiences was my first placement on the programme, working on the Skynet programme within the Modelling and Simulation team. I was involved in model-based systems engineering (MBSE), planning the integration of a new tool, and even had opportunities for customer exposure. The work was engaging and gave me valuable insight into complex systems projects early on.

What made it especially rewarding was the supportive team – I always felt like a valued member, despite only being there for three months. It was a fantastic introduction to the business and set the tone for the rest of the programme.

My work-life balance:

Babcock places a strong emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Managers regularly check in if we’re working overtime and encourage us to log off and rest, promoting a sustainable working culture.

There are also plenty of opportunities to socialise outside of work – whether it’s climbing, badminton, or relaxed pub trips and team meals. These socials help build a strong sense of community and make it easy to connect with others across the business. The flexibility of the role, combined with a clear focus on wellbeing, has made it much easier to maintain balance as I begin my career.

My development:

We’re well supported throughout the Systems Engineering Graduate Programme. At the start of the programme, each graduate is assigned a mentor who offers guidance and support across the two years. This relationship is valuable for both technical growth and career advice.

We work towards a set of core competencies that give us a broad understanding of the business and systems engineering. These expose us to different projects and help build a well-rounded skill set. Completing them prepares us to come off programme and supports our path to chartership.

Regular placement reviews with our manager or mentor help us reflect on our progress and shape our development throughout the programme.