Whether you’re just starting out or changing career direction, an exciting new beginning awaits.
We’re looking for early careers talent to join our innovative projects and work at the cutting edge of technology. We offer a range of Graduate and Apprenticeship opportunities across Engineering, Science & Technology, Supply Chain, Quality, Strategy, Commercial, Finance, Project Management and more.
Kick-start your journey and build your future with our early career routes.
Graduate Development Programme
Our Graduate Development Programme (GDP) combines a permanent job with continued professional and academic development, helping you build the strongest foundation to your career.
All our graduates are assigned a buddy and follow a career development plan. There’s also the opportunity to complete additional qualifications relevant to the role, such as CIMA (Finance) or CIPS (Supply Chain), and apply for future Engineering charterships and even postgraduate degrees.
We’re proud of what our GDP offers. With a structured module approach over two years, we’re equipping our early careers talent with the skills to be the next generation of business and technology leaders.
We partner with a company called INPD to deliver first class training modules to our graduates throughout the two-year GDP, including: Presentation skills; learning agility; authentic leadership; project management; strategic thinking; engaging with colleagues and being a great influencer. The GDP concludes with an outbound challenge event, and a graduation.
Internal workshops covering finance, digital technologies, business development and strategy are delivered by our colleagues.
- Competitive base salary with biannual pay reviews whilst on the programme
- Generous welcome payment
- The opportunity to work on real projects from day one
- Excellent support networks, including a dedicated early careers talent development partner; learning & development experts, HR professionals and experienced senior business leaders to guide you in your early career
- Attendance at a week-long induction to help you understand the business and meet your fellow graduates
- Participation in employee resource groups and events, including STEM outreach and exclusive early careers events
- Business and professional networking opportunities such as our NXGEN event, as well as regular GDP get togethers.
- Gain valuable on the job knowledge and experience – actively contributing and often leading real projects that make a difference to our business
The requirements of each opportunity will be specified on the job advert/ description when you apply, however in general to qualify you’ll need:
- An undergraduate degree in a subject area relevant to the role, with an achieved or predicted minimum grade of a 2.2.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships
- A CV, including your university and pre-university grades (GCSE/ National 5/ Highers/ Advanced Highers/ A Levels/ College Course, etc.) and a cover letter explaining why you're applying for the role
- You will need to complete a security clearance application. The relevant clearance level will be specified on the job description, e.g. baseline or SC. Please visit the government website for further information.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships provide the ability to earn while you learn, gaining experience alongside formal qualifications. They’re a great way to begin your career or even make a career change.
Depending on the role, we offer different levels of apprenticeship from Advanced, Higher through to Degree level. At all levels, we work in partnership with UK colleges and universities to deliver highly successful apprenticeship opportunities with a real blended approach to learning, across a range of our sites and business functions.
Our apprenticeships follow an 80/20 format, with 80% of working time spent completing on-the-job training, and 20% studying. This means apprentices get the best of both worlds, working on real projects and making a valuable contribution to their team while qualifying.
Entry requirements will be listed on the job description and will vary depending on the level of apprenticeship. This is usually specific GCSE, A Level, National 5, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers qualifications, as per course entry requirements.
STEM outreach
Our early careers professionals are encouraged to join our super STEM team to help guide budding science, technology, engineering and mathematics enthusiasts.
The team collaborate with schools and education providers to promote STEM learning and nurture future talent. From cracking cyber codes to building and navigating quadcopters through a flight course, our STEM ambassadors host interactive challenges to promote Raytheon UK STEM pathways at a variety of national air shows, science festivals, careers fairs and many more events.
They’re the face of STEM in the community, engaging with people of all ages and inspiring them to become the next bright spark in the field.
When you’re fresh out of university it can be difficult to know what direction to go in. This role was a perfect fit, offering the opportunity to rotate across multiple departments whilst studying for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification. The rotations widened my professional network and gave me a better idea of the areas of work I enjoyed and excelled in. This career foundation has boosted my confidence and having completed the graduate programme, I’m pleased to have been offered a role in our Treasury team.
- Amba, Finance Graduate.
I’ve been fortunate to work in different business areas on a variety of projects and programmes, which increased my knowledge and experience. The apprenticeship allowed me to earn a degree in project management and achieve my APM Project Management Qualification. Not only that, I’ve had the opportunity to do real meaningful work which allowed me to critically analyse the difference between theory and practice, so that I could be successful on the degree course. I’m now managing my own project and contributing to the larger programme.
- Josh, Programme Management Apprentice.
My experience so far has been amazing! My team have supported me in settling into my role and made sure I have the best knowledge to carry out my daily tasks. I’ve loved joining committees and being able to see how my input has positively affected people. I also had the amazing opportunity to take part in community volunteering with my colleagues. Having this exposure and networking opportunities so early in my career meant I was able to build relationships quickly, whilst also learning and understanding how other departments work.
- Megan, Supply Chain Apprentice.
I really enjoyed the off-site modules where the cohort would meet up to work on our leadership skills and experience other parts of the company. I received great coaching and mentoring from senior engineers and became the first STEM lead for my site, forming a team of ambassadors to grow talent with the community and across the UK. It was rewarding and developmental as I led a team of 80+, managed projects and budgets and coordinated large events, which ultimately led me to become Training and Development Lead for Manufacturing.
- Stephan, Manufacturing Graduate.
FAQs
Our graduate opportunities include Project Management, Finance, Quality, Commercial, Strategy, Manufacturing and Engineering (Systems, Hardware, Electronics, Mechanical, Product Test Development). Graduates can also study professional qualifications relevant to the role, e.g. CIMA for Finance, APM for Project Management, CIPS for Supply Chain.
We offer apprenticeships in Project Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Software, Manufacturing and Finance.
We recruit onto our Graduate Development Programme (GDP) up to a year ahead – for example, advertising roles in December 2024 for September 2025 entry. Our assessment centres are typically run from February to July.
The start date for the next GDP will be 1 September 2025.
For apprenticeships, we recruit throughout the year; this usually depends on college enrolment schedules.
In addition to our GDP, we also hire graduates directly.
Whilst they’re not on the formal development programme, they are still supported with relevant on-the-job and professional training, guided by managers and experts in their field.
Keep an eye out for suitable openings!
We work flexibly and agilely, typically with a mix of working from home, at site/ office and, for some roles, occasionally at one of our customer sites.
If the role you are applying to has a more hands-on requirement, it may mean that most of your time will be based at site. The specific requirements of where you could be located will be detailed on the description of the job you apply to.
Where possible we work with training providers and academic institutions local to you.
Once you find a position that interests you, follow these three steps to apply:
Step 1: Attach a full CV including predicted or achieved grades. Remember to list the individual modules undertaken and grades achieved for each. If applying for graduate positions, please date this back to GCSE.
Step 2: Write a cover letter to explain why you’d like to work with us and why you’re applying for your chosen role.
Step 3: If you have it, please provide an academic copy of your relevant education/ course results.
If you’re successful, we’ll be in touch to talk about your application and the next steps.
If we think you’re the right fit:
- Initially you’ll be invited to a telephone interview to discuss the role, your background and your interest in us in more detail.
- If successful, you’ll be invited to a group assessment centre – typically these are virtual. Depending on the role, you may be invited to the local site to meet the team, too.
Our assessment centres are an interactive process designed to give us the best insight into our candidates, and give you the opportunity to understand more about us and what we offer. While it’s important you perform well in this process, we want you to succeed and so look to bring an element of fun.
You’ll get to meet a range of our managers and teams from the business as well as work together with other candidates. There will be a range of exercises from interviews, presentations, technical and group tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask us questions and find out more about working at Raytheon UK.
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