The Best Engineering Companies To Work For In 2022

The UK’s engineering sector has some of the best talent, resources, and companies found anywhere in the world. 

Around 5 million people work in the UK’s engineering sector, with many of them emigrating from around the world for a chance to work for some of the most prestigious names in the industry. 

The UK has strong ties to the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries, as well as the space, computing, VR, and energy sectors, all of which offer engineers the chance to work at the cutting-edge of the industry across various disciplines. 

If you want to develop your engineering career, here are some of the best companies you could work for. 

Best engineering companies to work for in the UK

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce is one of the most prestigious brands in the world, synonymous with class and precision. Only a few thousand of their high-end cars are sold each year, and rare classic models can sell for millions. 

While they’re famous for their work in the automotive industry, they also work in aerospace and nuclear power, even receiving approval from the UK government to begin work on small modular nuclear reactors, which could be the future of nuclear power. They aim to have 16 reactors online by 2025, each one of which could power one million homes. 

The company values innovation, which is partially why its product line has grown increasingly diverse over the last few decades.

McLaren

One of the biggest names in motorsport, McLaren is a great place to work if you have a passion for the engineering of any kind. 

Formed in 1963, McLaren has become a giant in Formula One, but through various subsidiary companies like McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Electronics, they have worked across a wide range of engineering projects, including composite materials, temperature and pressure sensors, and even components for space travel. 

All of their work requires absolute precision, representing the pinnacle of engineering work, and making them the dream employer for many.

BAE Systems

With its HQ in London, BAE Systems work primarily in the defence and aerospace industries. One of the largest defence companies in the world, BAE Systems employs around 90,000 people across 40 countries. 

Formed in 1999 when British Aerospace and Marconi Electric Systems merged, the company has gone on to create many types of aircraft used by the RAF, as well as other airforces around the world. 

They have an apprenticeship scheme and are committed to encouraging and developing talent at every level. 

Aston Martin

Aston Martin is one of the best-known automotive brands in the world. Their cars are widely regarded as a British cultural icon thanks to appearing in multiple James Bond films. 

They also work in other areas, including licenses for real estate development, aircraft, and even submarines, so there would always be a new challenge to work on. 

Airbus

Airbus is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world, working across commercial air travel, defence, and even space. 

In recent years Airbus has begun researching sustainable aviation, something the industry is keenly interested in developing. 

Airbus is an industry leader in aviation, pushing the entire industry forward, with research and investment into unmanned vehicles, and electric propulsion systems for cleaner flights. 

If you want to work on the cutting edge of aviation, Airbus could be the place for you. 

These companies are household names for a reason, and working at any one of them could be the highlight of an engineering career, looking fantastic on a CV, and opening doors to positions at other engineering firms. 

Read about why you should consider an apprenticeship in engineering, or learn why we need more women in STEM roles. 