Airbus is offering an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students to join their Filton facility as a full-time Additive Manufacturing (AM) Design Engineer. This placement is not only a chance to work with one of the world’s leading aerospace companies but also to be at the forefront of technological innovation in the aerospace sector. Set to commence on August 18, 2025, and lasting 12.5 months, the placement is geared towards equipping participants with both practical experience and advanced technical skills.
The Role of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace
Additive Manufacturing is transforming the aerospace industry, allowing for the creation of highly optimized, lightweight, and complex components that were previously difficult or impossible to manufacture using traditional methods. Airbus harnesses advanced AM techniques like Powder Bed Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition to produce these pioneering designs. This role is integral to pushing these boundaries further by contributing directly to the design and production of metallic parts.
At the Filton facility, a hive of activity centered around AM, experts in Design and Manufacturing Engineering and Material Science collaborate to drive innovation. This has led to significant achievements, including the development of structural system parts like hydrogen fuel cell manifolds. Airbus’s commitment to AM underlines their broader strategy to lead the aerospace industry towards more sustainable and high-performing technologies.
Hands-On Experience and Key Responsibilities
The primary mission for the Additive Manufacturing Design Engineer Placement is the design and production of metallic parts using AM technology. This role offers hands-on experience with advanced AM machines, honing skills that are critical for the next generation of aerospace engineering. Participants will engage in designing and developing AM components, gaining proficiency in AM design rules, methodologies, and tools.
Leveraging tools like Catia and Hyperworks, interns will create designs driven by optimization. Additionally, they will operate AM machines end-to-end, from creating build files and running builds to post-processing and testing parts. Collaboration is key in this role, requiring interns to interact actively with both the Filton team and the broader Airbus AM community. This immersive experience ensures a well-rounded understanding of the entire AM process, fostering both technical and soft skills such as project management and communication.
Project Opportunities and Technical Challenges
The placement offers a diverse range of projects, targeting various aspects of Airbus’s strategic goals and technical challenges. Participants will work on developing structural components and systems equipment for series aircraft, alongside other applications within the Airbus Group. These projects are critical in shaping future advancements, such as flight test demonstrators for innovative wing designs and hydrogen-powered aircraft under the ZEROe initiative.
Interns will also contribute to the broader development of AM materials, processes, and design methods. An optional design challenge allows participants to create and print their own optimized metallic design, further sharpening their creative and technical skills. These projects are designed to be both challenging and rewarding, ensuring a dynamic and engaging placement experience.
Ideal Candidate Profile and Requirements
This opportunity is exclusively available to undergraduate students who remain enrolled throughout the placement’s duration. To apply, candidates must submit a CV and cover letter. Key qualifications include pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical, Design Engineering, Numerical Methods, or related fields. Effective communication skills, both listening and verbal, are essential, along with a keen interest in innovative technologies like AM.
Candidates should demonstrate a strong desire to work collaboratively in a technical team environment and show an inclination towards personal development and creative problem-solving. Additionally, applicants must be eligible for UK SC Security Clearance or a BPSS check, including a criminal record check.
