By BAE Systems Talent Acquisition

Deric trusts his gut.

Out of high school, he spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and inspector. That work taught him precision, the kind you can't fake when lives are on the line.

After the Corps, he found his way into aerospace, and in early 2018 he landed at BAE Systems as an inspector. Over nearly eight years, he grew his expertise, working on spaceflight hardware and becoming part of a mission he cared about.

In September 2025, a friend flagged an opening at a supplier BAE Systems was working with. Deric wasn't unhappy with where he was, he just followed his curiosity.

"I didn't want to leave BAE Systems," he says. "I just kind of let fate take me. I would have regretted it if I passed on a great opportunity"

His going-away party filled the room. Even then, saying goodbye didn't feel final.

"When I looked at everybody and said goodbye, something told me, and something told them, that I would be back," Deric said.

--

Away from BAE Systems, he sharpened his electrical skills and learned the business from the supplier side. Then his former manager called in 2026 with an offer: come back and help start up quality inspection on a brand-new satellite manufacturing product line they were working on.

He didn't hesitate. He interviewed and got the job.

Today he focuses on hardware quality that helps protect the people who serve. Same mission, new possibilities.

"One of my first projects back was assisting the team in testing the hardware on the product I had been working on at the other place,” he said.

He puts it plainly.

"There are a lot of boomerang employees around here, and there's a reason for that. Being away made me realize what I was giving up, we have a great dynamic," Deric states. "If fate is telling you to come back, don't ignore it."

His gut knew the way back to BAE Systems. Your next career move could be a familiar one.

Mission: Reconnect

Are you a BAE Systems alumni interested in teaming back up? Let’s reconnect. Check out our limited time Refer Yourself Back program, where former employees can be their own referral and earn a bonus if rehired.

Timing isn’t right? Join our alumni talent community to stay connected with BAE Systems and receive company news, enjoy feature stories, hear about alumni events, and about opportunities to rejoin the mission.

Click to explore eligible refer yourself back positions