BAE Systems, Inc. Innovation & Technology Culture

So often, these acquisitions kind of feel like an imperial exercise. That’s not the mindset of BAE Systems. In fact, they’ve been far more interested in asking, ‘Hey, why do you do something this way?’ There’s more curiosity.

What practices does your team employ to foster innovation, and how have these practices led to more creative, out-of-the-box thinking?

At BAE Systems, fostering innovation is a core focus within engineering and across the business. While traditional methods such as lunch-and-learn sessions, technology roadmap planning sections, individual research and development, and private investment funding are vital to driving progress, these approaches are often guided by businesses area management and leadership priorities to align with overarching goals. 

A unique and forward-thinking approach, however, lies within the Empower Innovation program. Open to all employees, regardless of role or level, Empower provides a platform for sharing ideas through a simple online tool. Hundreds of ideas are submitted and reviewed each year, often in support of campaigns for strategic, needle-moving technology. Selected entries receive collaborative feedback, enhancing their potential, seed funding, mentorship and support to mature their technology, product or process into more mature business cases. This approach not only refines individual ideas but also propels innovative solutions into real-world deployment, embodying a companywide commitment to groundbreaking advancements.

How has a focus on innovation increased the quality of your team’s work?

A focus on innovation through the BAE Systems Empower program creates an avenue for great ideas to gain traction, mature and be implemented. As a recipient of resources through Empower, seed funds allowed me and a small team of engineers to design and build a prototype bi-directional power converter that otherwise might not have existed given higher-priority business investment efforts. The competitive nature of Empower, along with understanding that funding was direct from higher levels, really instilled a sense of pride and ownership with our team. Knowing the company entrusted and believed in us helped drive our desire to succeed. The quality and technology readiness level are significantly improved due to the program’s early recognition of its potential.

Additionally, my group has been developing new power electronic and high-voltage energy storage components and systems to support both core transit applications as well as adjacent market applications. I’ve been fortunate to be on the forefront of many of these efforts, exploring power and propulsion solutions for everything, from fuel cell buses and terminal tractors to several military applications.

How has a focus on innovation bolstered your team’s culture?

A focus on innovation has undeniably strengthened our team’s culture by fostering collaboration, mutual respect and shared purpose. Programs like Empower have provided a platform for diverse contributions, where every team member — regardless of role or experience — feels heard and valued. The transparency of the program, coupled with opportunities for feedback and mentorship, has created a sense of inclusivity and open dialogue, all of which are essential components of a strong team culture. 

Beyond driving technological breakthroughs, the initiative promotes a spirit of ownership and pride, as seen when our team successfully developed the bi-directional power converter. Such achievements are celebrated collectively, reinforcing camaraderie. Furthermore, the flexibility to explore adjacent markets and new technologies has allowed us to engage in meaningful work, making innovation at BAE Systems not just a goal, but a shared experience that empowers individuals and deepens team bonds.

Chatelain’s team is made up of individuals with diverse experience and skill sets, including software engineers, test engineers and former military personnel. This wealth of expertise, coupled with a strong focus on collaboration, was critical to the project’s success. 

“Our ability to quickly plan and strategize our development efforts over several sprints with obtainable outcomes really stood out as an effective practice. We could take advantage of our success while correcting issues before they became a roadblock.”

How does your team stay ahead of emerging technology trends while scaling fast?

Staying connected with our customers, the professional community and advancements in areas like digital engineering and AI is key. These buzzwords are everywhere, but we focus on what’s tangible and impactful.

Scaling fast means prioritizing. In aerospace and defense, where processes are complex, we ask, “What’s the one thing we can do right now to benefit our teams, programs and customers?” We can’t do everything at once, but with a clear vision and smart independent research and development, we can make meaningful progress.

We also encourage our team to engage with industry groups and conferences. For example, one of our AI/machine learning leads runs and attends sessions at Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers conferences, keeping us at the forefront of advancements. Supporting our employees in these opportunities is a huge way we stay ahead of emerging technology and trends.

What recent product or feature are you most proud of — and what impact has it had?

I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up, and that’s what got me into engineering. I may not be heading to space myself, but I’m proud that our BAE Systems team consistently delivers innovations that support mission success and advance space discovery, making a real impact both in orbit and here on Earth.

Systems engineering is exciting because it’s about how we bring everything together, connecting processes, tools and people to create something greater than the sum of its parts. One of our proudest team rollouts recently was an internal tool we developed to connect data from different sources of truth. Many tools from different vendors aren’t designed to work together, but this tool bridges those gaps.

We rolled it out last year internally, and the results were immediate. Producing artifacts for a review used to take weeks; now it takes an hour. It’s a time saver for our teams and a win for our customers. It’s ultimately about building a foundation for the future. This tool is scalable, and we’re exploring its use in modeling and simulation, and leveraging AI to conceptualize systems faster and develop initial requirements and architecture more efficiently.

How do you create a culture where innovation and experimentation are encouraged daily?

It starts with our strategic objectives. When we prioritize areas like digital engineering and AI, it creates opportunities for our teams to innovate. We also create roles and teams focused on these technologies, like algorithm development and AI/ML integration, which didn’t exist before. As a leader, I see my role as fostering creativity. I’m not an expert in every tool or technology, but I trust my team’s expertise. When someone comes to me with a great idea, I make sure they have the resources, freedom and support to pursue it. Even if it doesn’t work out, we learn and adapt.

Innovation is also about collaboration. Our team works across different domains and focus areas — from tactical systems to space vehicles to mission-level programs — bringing people together to solve complex problems. Systems engineering is about seeing the big picture and finding ways to make the process more efficient.

Using technologies like AI and digital engineering helps us innovate faster, reduce costs, and enable our engineers to focus on the toughest challenges. That’s when the impact happens.