RF Systems and Data Links Engineer Review

The variety was outstanding - I must have worked on nearly every aspect of engineering that a high-tech defence company has to offer.

Every member of the day-to-day team I was involved in was very welcoming and helpful, and I like to feel that I also helped them. There was the occassional person who didn't quite know how to pitch to a new starter - either expecting you to know everything about the intricate details of a design you've never seen before, or being part of the "education isn't what it use to be" ilk who are a little patronising. However these are few and far between and it was never malicious.

Very good - occasionally some people are busy or will forget to respond to emails but they're at most a phone call away if not in the same office.

During the first week or so the work was a little slow, but looking back I think it had to be as it gave me time to read up and understand what I was going to be doing. However since then I have always had a small back log of work - not enough so that I regularly finish it all but not so much that there's an exponential build up.

I was given as much responsibility as any other member of my team. I was often given work directly by the chief design engineer, and was invited to a workshop in France to present and discuss my work as well as review and feedback information on other people's work. Definitely didn't get any sort of placement/admin/secretary feel about my job - I felt a core member of the team. Couldn't fault this aspect of the job.

I think the motivation to do well will help, as well as general engineering disciplines that you don't see in a physics degree - costings, programme management, documentation... Just having a year's worth of work under my belt should also help future job applications.

Open plan, reasonably standard office atmosphere where you are ok to talk to anyone, even if the conversation veers towards your social life. I don't think anyone would want an office that was 'dull' or one where the 'fun never stopped'.

Nothing much to say really - it seemed reasonable but I was much more involved in my day-to-day job that any sort of placement activities.

I didn't attend any external training courses, but then again my job didn't require it due to its nature.

I would seriously consider coming back.

Very much enjoyed living in Bristol. The social aspect was fantastic.

Not cheap but its got a long way to go to reach London prices.

In the area around work there is almost nothing in terms of nightlife. However, a bit further into town where I actually lived (which may be a more appropriate question!) had excellent nightlife. This rating may be slightly harsh.

How long is a piece of string? It's Bristol, not the Outer Hebrides. Opportunities to do what you want.