Top 10 UK Digital Engineering Companies Where Veterans Thrive

Veterans are leading the charge in digital engineering, and companies like Expleo are showing how it’s done.

What if your next mission was leading innovation in AI, cybersecurity, or digital transformation, and your military skills were exactly what top employers are looking for?

Digital engineering is one of today’s fastest-growing, most dynamic fields, where cutting-edge technology meets precision, discipline, and strategic execution. It’s no surprise that veterans are thriving here. With your adaptability, collaborative leadership, and complex systems management, you’re not just prepared for a digital engineering career - you are built to thrive in it.

Expleo is setting the gold standard in supporting this transition, offering everything from personalised support to active peer networks that help veterans succeed from day one. Veterans aren’t just entering the field, they’re leading innovation across the sector.

To see why Expleo made the cut, read more about how they’re leading the way as a Forces-friendly employer.

Meet the employers getting it right.

1. Expleo: A Forces-Friendly Employer that gets it

Expleo is a global engineering and technology company with over 50 years of experience driving innovation across AI, automation, cybersecurity, and more. With nearly 100 employees from the Armed Forces community, veterans thrive here in roles ranging from cyber leadership to systems engineering. Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2022, Expleo has proudly earned Gold Award status. 

Why Join Expleo?

• Use Your Military Experience in Digital Engineering: Discover a variety of digital engineering roles where your military training, problem-solving, and technical expertise are highly valued. Put your skills to work in a career that challenges and rewards in equal measure.
• Personalised Support: A dedicated Armed Forces contact connects you with ex-military colleagues for advice, CV help, and interview prep.
• Armed Forces Peer Network: Over 50 members strong, Expleo’s Armed Forces Group meets monthly to share insights and support newcomers transitioning into civilian roles.
• Flexible for Military Families: The company truly understands military life, offering flexible support for spouses during deployments.
• Reservist Ready: Policies include 10 paid days for training and sabbaticals for deployments, like six months for Commanding Officers. 

Philip Bishop , former Chief Petty Officer, now Systems Engineering Manager in the Marine division at Expleo

Dive into articles and case studies featuring veterans and reservists at Expleo. Learn how the company is actively honouring its Armed Forces Covenant pledges, and see why so many ex-service personnel choose to build their next chapter here. Uncover what makes Expleo a standout top Forces-Friendly employer.

From software development to embedded systems, Expleo offers a wide range of roles across digital, IT, and traditional engineering. Whether you're interested in AI, data science, DevOps, digital electronics, or automotive innovation, there’s a mission waiting for you.

Ready to explore your fit? Email the Armed Forces team at Expleo directly.

2. Leonardo: Recognising the significant sacrifices and contributions of veterans

Leonardo is a global security company dedicated to advancing technology for a safer future. In the UK, Leonardo is a leading supplier of defence and security equipment for the Ministry of Defence, with operations across eight key sites and a workforce of over 8,500 highly skilled professionals. Similar to Expleo, Leonardo is a gold award winner and a strong advocate of the Armed Forces Community:

Why Join Leonardo? 

• Reservist Support: As a Gold Award holder under the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme, Leonardo offers reservists 10 extra days of leave for training and mobilisation.
• Valuing Veterans
  Recognises the leadership, communication, and technical skills veterans bring, especially in digital engineering, project management, and procurement.
• Armed Forces Network: Over 150 members strong, this group supports veterans, reservists, and military families across the UK, helping with the transition to civilian life.
• Veteran Recruitment: Partners with the Career Transition Partnership and 15,000 Futures to match veterans with roles in engineering, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and more.
• Flexibility and Development: Offers flexible work patterns (including remote options), mentoring, and personal development to help veterans grow in their careers.
• Active Collaboration: Employees regularly work with active military personnel to stay aligned with current needs.

From hardware design to system integration, Leonardo offers cutting-edge roles for electronics, software, and systems engineers. Explore opportunities in digital engineering and more at Leonardo.

3. Babcock International: A Leader in Supporting the Armed Forces Community

Babcock is a FTSE 100 company delivering critical engineering and support services across defence, aerospace, and security. They work in the UK and globally, especially in Australasia, Canada, France, and South Africa, offering everything from asset management to designing and building specialist equipment.

Why join Babcock?

• Veteran and Reservist Employment: Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013, Babcock has shown an ongoing commitment to veterans, reservists, service leavers, and their families. As a major defence employer, they actively recruit and support those with military experience.
• Guaranteed Interviews: Offers guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces applicants who meet minimum role requirements.
• Total Support Force:  Supports the Armed Forces’ flexibility through the Total Support Force concept.
• Military Partnerships: Longstanding partner of SSAFA, supporting mentoring programs for transitioning personnel.
• Community Engagement:  Celebrates Armed Forces Day and supports local cadet units.
• Covenant Commitment: Promotes itself as an Armed Forces-friendly employer, with flexibility for reservists and support for spouses and families.

Babcock is at the forefront of digital innovation in engineering, offering roles that drive digital delivery, data strategy, and intelligent design. Opportunities include Digital Engineer, Digital Delivery Lead, BIM Manager, and Data Engineer. Kickstart your career with Babcock today – explore opportunities now.

4. Accenture: Truly Values Armed Forces Talent

Accenture is a global company that helps businesses work better and get more value out of what they do. They focus on things like strategy, consulting, digital, tech, and operations. With around 801,000 employees, Accenture works with clients in over 120 countries around the world.

Why join Accenture?

• Understand transferable skills: They truly appreciate the unique skills and experiences members of the Armed Forces bring.
  Proud Signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant - with gold-level recognition: In July 2021, they received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest honour for employers who go the extra mile to support service personnel and their families.
• Support for transitioning: They are committed to helping veterans shift smoothly from military life to a successful civilian career.
• Focus on Leadership: Your military leadership training aligns closely with Accenture’s own development programs. Whether you're leading a tech squad or managing a global team, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to lead.

From product design to cloud platform engineering, Accenture is your launchpad to engineer what’s next, discover opportunities here!

5. Cognizant: Proudly Backing the Armed Forces Community

Cognizant is a company that works with businesses across the UK and Ireland to help them upgrade their tech, rethink how they work, and improve the way they connect with customers. They’re all about things like AI, software development, and cloud solutions, basically, helping companies stay sharp and competitive in a fast-moving digital world.

Why join Cognizant?

• Forces-Friendly Workplace: Supports veterans, reservists, and military spouses, offers flexible leave for deployments and family needs.
• Committed to Armed Forces Covenant values: Gold Award winners of the Defence Recognition scheme, recognises and supports the unique challenges of military life.
• Career Events and Training: Partners with TechVets to host ‘Get Into Tech’ events, helps veterans gain skills and break into the tech industry.
• Backing Military Charities and Events: Supports Armed Forces Day and other service-related causes, works with Team Forces to fund adventurous activities for service members
• Tech for Defence: Collaborates with the Ministry of Defence on data and digital transformation projects.

Ready for a new challenge? Cognizant is powering innovation across digital engineering, with roles in software development, AI, cloud, and intelligent automation.

6. Capgemini: Standing strong with the Armed Forces Community

Capgemini is a global tech and consulting company that helps businesses run smarter and adapt to change. They work across different industries, offering everything from strategy and design to day-to-day operations, powered by cloud, data, AI, and digital engineering.

Why join Capgemini?

• Gold Award Recognition: Earned the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for outstanding support.
• Support for Veterans and Service Leavers; Partners with Career Transition Partnership (CTP), offers tailored job pathways, mentoring, and guidance.
• Backing Reservists: Provides flexibility to balance work and military duties.
• Support for Military Spouses and Partners: Works with Forces Families Jobs, offers flexible leave before, during, and after deployments
• Veterans Employee Group: VERG (Veterans ERG) offers peer support and community
• Living the Covenant Principles: No disadvantage for the Armed Forces community, special support when needed, especially for those injured or bereaved.

Join Capgemini to drive Intelligent Industry, data analytics, and cloud innovation. Roles span consulting, software engineering, and data science, where tech meets transformation.

7. ALTEN: Honours its Armed Forces Covenant Promise

ALTEN is a global engineering and tech consulting company with 30+ years of experience. They work with big names in industries like aerospace, automotive, and IT, helping drive innovation in areas like software, cybersecurity, and data.

Why join ALTEN?

• Covenant Commitment: Signed the Armed Forces Covenant to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
• Fair Treatment: Aims to ensure no disadvantage in areas like jobs, housing, education, or healthcare.
• Special Recognition: Supports additional consideration for those injured or bereaved through service.
• Valuing Military Talent: Recognises the unique skills veterans bring and helps them succeed in civilian careers.

From space systems to embedded software, ALTEN is looking for top engineers in software and electronics, start your job search today. 

8. Atos: Supporting Armed Forces in the UK and beyond 

Atos is a global tech company using AI and innovation to help businesses modernise and grow. They work with organisations across the UK and Ireland, offering a full range of digital services.

Why join Atos?

• Armed Forces Covenant: Committed to treating service members and their families fairly, with extra support where needed.
• Support for UK MOD: Delivers digital services, IT transformation, and advisory support to the Ministry of Defence.
• French Defence Projects: Works on major contracts like the SCORPION combat-information system and big-data platforms for the French Armed Forces.
• Reservist-Friendly Employer: Supports reservists with flexibility for training and deployments.
• Mentorship and Training: Offers guidance and career support to veterans, service leavers, and military families.
• Community Engagement: Backs the Armed Forces community through sponsorships and partnerships, including with the Royal Corps of Signals.

Atos is hiring in cloud, DevOps, cybersecurity, AI, and data engineering. From software and systems engineers to digital transformation consultants - you could find the perfect role for you today. 

9. Akkodis: Continued Commitment to Armed Forces Community

Akkodis is a global leader in digital engineering and smart industry solutions. They help businesses innovate and transform through top tech, R&D, and deep industry know-how. Part of the Adecco Group, they offer talent, consulting, and smart solutions to move ideas forward.

Why join Akkodis?

• Supporting Veterans and Service Members: Actively hires and supports ex-forces personnel and their families, offers tailored transition support, including a guaranteed interview scheme, provides mental health support and champions Reservists, Cadet Forces, and service charities, promotes the Armed Forces both internally and externally, Gold award winner.
• Transforming Military Recruitment: Partnered with Serco and Adecco to modernise UK Armed Forces recruitment, helping build a digital-first, candidate-focused system for the Army, Navy, and RAF.
• Tech Expertise for Defence: Delivers cutting-edge solutions using AI, Edge computing, and smart platforms, enhances communication, performance, and operational effectiveness in tough environments.
• Driving Sustainability in Defence: Exploring ways to apply AI, IoT, and robotics to create greener defence systems, supporting net-zero goals and sustainable ground services.

Akkodis is hiring across software development, data engineering, and digital design. From specialised to general roles, like Expleo, they’re shaping the future of tech. 

10. BAE Systems: Championing the Armed Forces Community

BAE Systems is a multinational defence, aerospace, and security company, with major operations in the UK and US. As one of the world’s largest arms producers, it delivers cutting-edge solutions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber, from combat aircraft and warships to tanks and cybersecurity systems. 

Why join BAE Systems?

• Funding & Donations: Supports charities like Help for Heroes to aid injured veterans.
• Charity Partnerships: Works with Cobseo and the Soldiering On Awards to champion the Armed Forces community.
• Veteran Employment: Offers career opportunities, training, and support for veterans transitioning to civilian roles.
• Armed Forces Covenant Leadership: Founding member, showing long-standing commitment to service members.
• Gold Award Employer: Recognised with the MoD Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
• Mental Health Advocacy: Backs organisations like Combat Stress and develops resources for veteran wellbeing.
• Support for Military Families: Partners with Recruit for Spouses (RFS) to support the careers of military spouses and partners.

Step into digital engineering roles in software, data, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, cloud, and machine learning. Work on cutting-edge defence and security solutions. Explore careers at BAE Systems today.

Expleo is paving the way, and with other amazing companies backing you, Troopr is proud to showcase the opportunities for you to thrive. Explore roles and support for Forces talent at Expleo here.