In charge of inventing and defining maneuvers performed during test flights, one of Stephane’s greatest challenges as a flight test engineer is knowing the limit between the safety of the test flight and bringing back results. “I feel very lucky to do what I do within the company; our product is wonderful, it’s noble and represents one of humanity’s oldest dreams – flying.”

Working on projects such as Propulsion of Tomorrow, and Digital Design Manufacturing & Services (DDMS), Neelam's role as industrial architect is to define the top level industrial requirements, industrial architecture, trades and capabilities in collaboration with engineering teams in developing technology bricks that will shape the industrial system of Airbus. "Working on crucial transformation projects, with diverse people: an incredible adventure, a dream come true."

Nine-year-old Lou was born without a forearm, and she had a clear idea of what she wanted for her prosthesis arm. 3D printing enthusiast Denis Tur and a team of Airbus volunteers took on this challenge and joined forces with charity e-NABLE to produce a distinctive artificial arm for the young girl at ProtoSpace Toulouse. 

With bountiful past experience as chief engineer of the A400M and A320 programmes, Daniela Lohwasser, Airbus’ new head of R&T in the CTO organisation is excited to help bring in the next chapter of the Airbus story with disruptive new technology and products. She believes that R&T have to be daring and work on the edge, and failing and learning fast is an essential part of that process.

 Originally from Bangalore in India, Shashwath works as a customer supply manager in Airbus Toulouse. Within the cabin furnishing department, his task is to ensure that the ordered parts arrive on time, and are properly allocated. “The interiors must be delivered to the quality and to the time as agreed with our clients”. Greatly inspired by previous Airbus CEO Tom Enders (who he met in person and has a birthday on the same day), joining Airbus has been his aim since watching the first A380 take to the sky. He filled in 75 applications on the career website. “Now I have my dream job".

"Although aviation is rather a male-dominated world, it has been my passion since I was a child. As a flight instructor for helicopters, fixed wings and gliders, I love to fly all of them, but I especially love to fly helicopters. When I joined the company, I started my Airbus career as marketing manager for the training centre newly established in Japan, in 2012. I have now moved to the operational division to become a pilot ground instructor. Studying state-of-the-art technology is what makes me passionate about my job."

“Working is more about being useful rather than being important,” says Jorge who has been with the company for the 13 years. He entered as a financial controller, and later decided to change his topic. “I enjoy working in HR. It is all about connecting people: making a new good network with people and trying to join forces for better working together.“ During his normal workday, Jorge is frequently switching between Spanish, English, German and French. Although the language competence has been a great help, he admits that this is not enough to succeed in HR. “If you are not humble, if you are not emphatic, if you are not flexible, then all these languages skills are not useful for anything.“

Designing the new generation of self-flying aircraft: this is the mission of Enrique. “In fact, our technology can take care of everything from just after the take-off until the landing,” he says. Originally from Colombia, he started in Airbus in 2017 as an intern, during his dual degree master studies in France. Once finished, he got the opportunity to continue the same project as an employee.

‘I enjoy being a part of such a well renowned and prestigious company, I am proud to say that I am an apprentice at Airbus. I especially feel that when people are going on an aircraft and I can say -I help to build these-”. Want to experience a strong sense of pride for the work you do just like Jacob? Hurry up, applications for Craft Apprenticeships in Commercial Aircraft will close on 3rd March!

Born in China and raised in Germany, Ye has a bicultural background. She loves Airbus for its dynamic and diversity. Ye joined Airbus in 2009, she is responsible for major airframe components and works on many transfers, improvement projects at key Airbus suppliers covering activities requiring various skills: “We coordinate cross-functionally, monitor and drive changes at our suppliers to contribute to development and mitigate industrial risks. We work by targeting operational excellence through continuous improvement in everything we do.” 

Airbus promotes equal opportunities and supports people with both visible and non-visible (dis)ability. Different initiatives across the company are aimed at boosting awareness and above all encouraging dialogue on the important contribution employees with disabilities make to the company every day. Following the International Day of Persons with Disability, six apprentices and dual students share their experiences working in an inclusive environment at Airbus.

"The digitalisation of the shopfloor is undoubtedly a key factor capable of providing important improvements in relation to quality, efficiency, costs and the product" says María. Her goal is to incorporate digitalisation at the production plants of all the Airbus divisions. To get the real shopfloor experience she put on a set of overalls and spent a week there working with the operators. "You don't really understand what their work is all about until you put yourself in their position".