Armed Forces and defence solutions

The Army, Navy, RAF and intelligence agencies offer a wealth of opportunities for physicists, from communication solutions and weapons and guidance technology, to software design and the maintenance of the UK's nuclear warheads. Around 1% of those with physics degrees move into the combined armed forces each year, which accounts for a significant number of top-end graduates.

The following organisations specialise in intelligence or defence solutions and undertake graduate recruitment:

• The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) — a branch of the Ministry of Defence
• QinetiQ — a leading defence and security technology company
• SciSys — a designer and manufacturer of mission-control systems
• Rolls-Royce — develops aircraft power and military solutions
• The Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) — works with the MoD Civil Service to equip and support the UK Armed Forces with state of the art technology
• MBDA — specialists in field missile systems
• BAE Systems — produces aircraft, missiles, submarines and land vehicles
• The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) — responsible for providing and maintaining the UK's nuclear weapons deterrent
• The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) — the national intelligence and security agency
• HM Government Communications Centre — looks after the government's most sensitive data and helps to maintain national security.

If you see yourself working in defence, why not check out another physicist’s experience of the industry?

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