BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Graduate Data Science Researcher

Start Date: April or Sept 2025

Location: Great Baddow (Chelmsford)

About BAE Systems

Here at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we are committed to helping governments, organisations and society navigate digital threats and opportunities.

As the Cyber and Intelligence arm of BAE Systems, we employ over 4,500 people across 16 countries in North America, APAC, Europe and the Middle East. With our distinguished heritage, we relish the opportunity to transform digital and data practices, defence, intelligence, security and society for government agencies, law enforcement, financial services, and critical infrastructure.

Role Profile

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence Laboratories is seeking to recruit researchers to join our rapidly expanding Data Research group. We are looking for candidates who are adaptable, enthusiastic and highly motivated.

You will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of Data science research topics for customers across the defence, security and commercial sectors. The Data Research group has a diverse range of teams working in: reinforcement learning, NLP, knowledge graphs and graph based neural nets, AI for RF and EW, sonar and acoustics and you will have the opportunity to work with these colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams.

You will support with the novel research in given topic areas, often in partnership with leading Universities, develop prototypes and proof of concept demonstrator and prepare technical reports and proposals.

Who are we looking for?

• MSc or an equivalent level of expertise, with some experience in the application of deep learning.
• Skills in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and will need to be a proficient programmer, preferably in Python.
• We are interested in candidates with experience in disciplines such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Theoretical Physics and Biosciences with statistics. 
• Experience in software development in Python is essential and some experience with machine and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, Pytorch, scikit-learn, etc.) is desirable.
• Desired Competencies: Excellent analytical and numerical skills, the aptitude for solving complex/technical problems, objective and logical with an enquiring and creative mind, desire to learn and competence in Microsoft Office packages/ IT literate

Entry Requirements

• On track to achieve/ already achieved a 2:2 or above in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths subject
• You will need to have graduated within the last 3 years
• Eligible for a Government Security Clearance

What’s in it for you?

• Work-life balance is important; you’ll get 25 days holiday a year and, via our flexible benefits package the option to buy/sell and carry over from the year before
• Our flexible benefits package includes; private medical and dental insurance, a competitive pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, taste cards and more
• You’ll have a dedicated Career Manager to help you develop your career and guide you on your journey through BAE
• You are welcome to join any/all of our Diversity and Support groups.  These groups cover everything from gender diversity to mental health and wellbeing.
• £34,000 starting salary, rising over the course of the programme
• £2,000 welcome payment

Security Clearance

Only those with the permanent and unrestricted right to live and work in the UK will be considered for a position within BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. Due to the nature of our, work successful candidates for this role will be required to go through Government SC clearance prior to starting with us. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance

What are the next steps?

• CV Submission & Review
• Digital Assessment
• Live Interview

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence 

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential. 

Division overview: Capabilities

At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Capabilities is the engine that keeps the business moving forward. It is the largest area of Digital Intelligence, containing our Engineering, Consulting and Project Management teams that design and implement the defence solutions and digital transformation projects that make us a globally recognised brand in both the public and private sector.

As a member of the Capabilities team, you will be creating and managing the solutions that earn us our place in an ever changing digital world. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.