Business Development Graduate (GDP - September 2026 Start)

Pratt & Whitney; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology and innovation company is seeking a Business Development Graduate for their Graduate Development Programme. The role involves supporting sales efforts in the APNT product line, conducting market research, and building customer relationships. Essential qualifications include a minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant field and strong communication skills. This position offers a starting salary of £34,000 along with benefits including flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Contributory Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Enhanced sick pay

Flexible Benefits package

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in Strategic Studies, Management, Business Development / Sales, or related field.
• Flexibility on location and ability to travel to UK facilities and overseas.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly articulate findings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct industry research to identify opportunities and potential risks.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements and feedback.
• Build relationships with existing and new customers.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent STEM skills

Strong research and analytical skills

Ability to work with data

Proactive and self-motivated approach

Critical thinking abilities

Education

Minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in a relevant field

Job description

Graduate Development Programme (GDP) – Join Raytheon UK

Date Posted: 2025-12-23

Country: United Kingdom

Location: GBR01:Harlow, Essex, Kao One, Kao Park, Harlow, CM17 9NA

Position Role Type: Unspecified

Role: Business Development Graduate

Location(s): Harlow or Glenrothes

Travel: Occasional travel to UK facilities and overseas as required for the role and Early Careers events

Starting Salary: £34,000 plus company benefits

Type: Permanent – 2-year Graduate Development Programme (GDP), with biannual pay reviews

Start Date: Monday 7 September 2026

Hours: Full-Time

About the Role

The Business Development Graduate will report directly to the Head of Sales for Advanced Products and will support the growth of sales in the Assured Position, Navigation & Timing (APNT) product line. This position will enable the individual to develop an excellent understanding of the Raytheon business as a whole; gain important insights into the internal and external drivers that impact the business; and work through all phase of pursuit captures.

This could lead to roles within business development and bidding, as well as being of value in providing an excellent strategic grounding for any role within the organisation.

Main Duties

On a day-to-day basis a Business Development Graduate may be expected to:

• Conduct industry, market, customer, technology and geopolitical horizon scanning and research to understand trends and dynamics to identify opportunities and potential risks.
• Leverage customer research, trends, and competitor analysis to identify potential opportunities.
• Engage with customers in the air, land and maritime domain to position our products; to understand what is important to them; and to gain feedback on technical and programme requirements.
• Build strategic relationships with existing and new customers in order become their APNT partner of choice.
• Collaborate with the bid team (including programme, technical, commercial and finance) to ensure customer requirements are understood and support the process of bid preparation / submission, follow up and negotiation.
• Ensure opportunity parameters and pipeline data is kept up to date so that business plans and forecast can be accurately maintained.
• Liaise with the engineering / technical teams to ensure products developments are align to market / customer needs.

Candidate Requirements

Essential:

• Minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in Strategic Studies, Management, Business, Business Development / Sales, Economics, or a related field (already achieved or to be completed by 7 September 2026)
• The successful candidate will be required to complete and obtain the SC Security Clearance application. Please visit the government website for further information: National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK

• Flexibility on location and ability to travel to our UK facilities and overseas
• Excellent STEM skills demonstrated through academic achievement
• A passion for succeeding in a fast-paced, technology industry – We explain our Org in the “about us” section
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships
• A full CV, including your university and pre-university grades (GCSE/National 5/Highers/Advanced Highers/A Levels/College Course, etc.), and a cover letter explaining why you are applying for this role at Raytheon UK
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to work with large amounts of data, analytical tools and software; identify and focus on the critical business issues; and synthesize complex information to develop data-driven insights.
• The ability to analyse data objectively, apply logical thought and offer solutions, taking a long-term perspective.
• An intellectually curious mind, with strong critical thinking abilities, and a creative approach to generate ideas to solve business problems and draw sound conclusions.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly articulate findings and insights in a concise and powerful manner to management and relevant stakeholders.
• The ability to work with cross-functional teams and have the maturity and confidence to interact directly with senior executives across departments.

About the Graduate Development Programme (GDP)

At Raytheon UK, we’re excited to work with and support talented individuals during their careers through our Graduate Development Programme (GDP). This structured 2-year programme blends on-the-job experience with comprehensive training, ensuring that graduates are supported in their transition from university to a thriving professional career.

Our GDP is not just about skills development — it’s about building connections, leadership capabilities, and career growth. Throughout the programme, you’ll have access to the following:

• Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership skills through coaching, mentoring, and career development support
• Business Skills: Gain hands-on experience in project management, supply chain, strategy, and more, working on real-world business challenges
• Join our award winning STEM team at UK wide events from Airshows to careers talks.
• Community Impact: Join the ‘Million Makers’ challenge to support the King’s Trust (formerly the Prince’s Trust) in fundraising for social impact projects and also grow your business acumen, team working and networking skills.
• Microsoft Training: Improving skills in Excel and PowerPoint
• Pay Reviews: Biannual pay reviews in your first two years to ensure your career growth is matched with competitive compensation
• Grow your network through attending a range of exciting Early Careers & STEM events

Application Process

To apply, visit our careers website: www.raytheon.co.uk/careers via the Workday application link and submit a full CV along with a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and why you have applied to Raytheon UK. In your cover letter, we’re looking for candidates who demonstrate a clear understanding of the role, our company values, and why you would be a great fit for the team. It is mandatory to include a cover letter for this role, so please ensure you submit one. If you fail to submit a cover letter, unfortunately, we will not be able to progress your application. To find out more about Raytheon UK visit our website: www.raytheon.co.uk

What to include in your cover letter:

• Why you want to join Raytheon UK and pursue this specific role
• How your skills and experiences align with the position
• Any personal or professional interests, experiences, or achievements that make you stand out

Next Steps for Applicants:

We look forward to keeping you updated on your application through updates on Workday and email. Candidates selected for the next stage will be required to complete the initial screening stage to assess suitability for the role. Successful applicants will receive an invitation to one of our assessment centres where you will complete a range of individual and group tasks on the day, it’s a great opportunity to meet the team, our current graduates and business leaders to showcase your skills and potential for an exciting career with Raytheon UK.

About Raytheon UK

Raytheon UK is a leading technology and innovation company, working across a range of industries including aerospace, defence, cyber, space, and training. With facilities across the UK in Broughton, Waddington, Glenrothes, Harlow, Gloucester, Manchester, and Livingston, we employ 2,000 people and support an additional 8,000 jobs across the country.

We are proud to support the UK Ministry of Defence and are invested in developing cutting-edge technology to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including weapons and sensors, cyber security, and space. Raytheon UK is part of RTX, a global leader in aerospace and defence solutions. For further information please visit our website: www.raytheon.co.uk

Standard Benefits

• 25 days holiday, plus statutory public holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution)
• Life Assurance (up to 6x salary)
• Flexible Benefits package
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies (including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave)
• 37-hour working week, with early finish on Fridays (hours may vary depending on role and site)
• Flexible working options available, where possible
• On-site canteen and free snacks & drinks at select locations

Equal Opportunities

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Support and Adjustments

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) employer, committed to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for everyone.

As part of this commitment, we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants with a disability or long-term health condition who meet the essential criteria for the role. Please let us know on your application if you would like to apply under this scheme.

Should you require any adjustments or additional support at any stage of your application, please contact us — the team are here to help you perform at your best.

Privacy Policy and Terms

Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms