Anne Morris, 31, aircraft engineer, BAE Systems

“A key part of my work is on programmes that aim to create the right regulatory and technological environment for unmanned air vehicles to operate in UK airspace.

“My job also involves looking after research on low observability, which is to do with making aircraft less visible to radar, infra-red and other detection methods.

“Much of this work means that I establish research requirements from external customers as well as internal departments, then write a strategy on how those needs will be met.

“It takes up to six months from the point of defining a piece of research to getting the contract organised. Depending on what it is, it could take between three and six months or five and six years to complete. I have about ten programmes on the go at any one time.

“I’ve been doing this job for 11 months, but I’ve been in BAE Systems for 8 years after joining the graduate recruitment programme. My first degree was in maths and I started out here as a mathematical modeller. After a couple of years I took a sponsored degree in aircraft engineering. Engineering attracted me because it is applying maths to a real problem.

“My current role is a combination of coordination and engineering management. Some time in the next five years I’ll have to decide which of these elements I want to be the focus of my career.

“I could become an engineering manager, which would be addressing very technical problems, or pursue programme management, which has more emphasis on coordination and strategy.”

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