Meet Beth – Mechanical Engineer and Navy Reservist

Beth began studying for an engineering degree as a mature student, while working in a care home to help support her studies. The same year, she also returned to uniform, joining the Naval Reserve after a 20-year break from military service.

Fast forward to today, Beth combines her engineering career at BAE Systems with her commitment to military service. "It's given me opportunities I never expected," she says. "Both roles challenge me in different ways and have helped shape who I am today."

A different path into engineering

Beth's route into engineering was far from traditional. After leaving the Royal Navy to raise a family, she spent many years working in the NHS. The idea of going to university first emerged while accompanying her daughters to university open days. "Watching them explore their options made me think: why can't I do this too?" she explains.

"Changing careers was a big step," she says. "You never really know where it's going to lead, but I knew it was something I wanted to do."

During her studies, she gained hands-on experience volunteering with a heritage paddle steamer restoration project, helping maintain and restore the vessel alongside a team of experienced engineers.

That journey eventually brought her to BAE Systems. "It felt like things had come full circle," she says. "I'd served in the Royal Navy, and now I was helping to build ships for the people serving today."

Bringing service and engineering together

Today, Beth works within the Power and Propulsion team, where she is the technical lead for steering gear and stabilisers on the Type 26 programme.

Alongside her civilian role, she continues to fulfil her commitments as a Naval Reservist, balancing training, exercises and military responsibilities with the demands of a full-time career and family life.

While the two roles can be very different, Beth says the biggest crossover isn't technical knowledge – it's mindset. Having served in both the Royal Navy of the 1990s and today's Naval Reserve, Beth believes she has a unique perspective.

"I understand the people we're building ships for because I've been one of them," she says. 

Supported every step of the way

Balancing reserve commitments alongside a full-time career would be much harder without the right support.

Beth credits BAE Systems with creating an environment where Reservists are encouraged and supported, helping employees manage both their civilian and military responsibilities. "I've had zero pushback," she says. "My manager has always been supportive and interested in what I do in the Reserves."

BAE Systems provides Reservists with additional leave for military commitments, allowing Beth to complete training and exercises without needing to use annual leave. She is also involved with ForcesNet, BAE Systems' employee resource group for veterans, Reservists and the wider Armed Forces community.

That support reflects BAE Systems' wider commitment to the Armed Forces community. Today, around 240 Reservists work across the business, bringing valuable operational insight, leadership experience and specialist skills into their civilian roles.

A source of pride

One moment that particularly stands out for Beth comes every November during Remembrance activities at BAE Systems' shipyards.

Wearing her Number One uniform and laying a wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces community is a responsibility she takes immense pride in. "It really matters to me," she says. "I'm always proud to wear my uniform."

For Beth, Remembrance events are about more than ceremony. They bring together colleagues from across the shipyard, from apprentices and engineers to senior leaders, to remember those who have served.

More than a second career

For Beth, being a Reservist is about much more than military training. It provides opportunities to learn new skills, work alongside people from different backgrounds and contribute to something bigger than herself.

One of the things she values most is the diversity of the Reserve community. "You look at that group of people and the skills they bring," she says. "There's almost nothing that group hasn't experienced."

For Beth, that's one of the greatest strengths of the Reserves – bringing together people with different backgrounds, careers and perspectives, all united by a shared commitment to serve.

For anyone considering joining, her advice is simple. "Don't assume it's only for a certain type of person," she says. "People come from all sorts of backgrounds and stages of life. You develop skills, build confidence, meet incredible people and gain experiences that benefit both your military and civilian career."

"It's made me the happiest I've ever been," she says.