
What is your name, job title, and where are you based?
My name is Anupama Gaihre. I’m currently working as an Electrical System Installation Design Engineer at Airbus, based in Bangalore, India. Although I'm based here professionally, my hometown is in Butwal, Nepal.
Define your job title in one sentence
I ensure electrical system installations, ATA Chapter 92 (Air Transportation Association), compliance in centre and aft fuselage for the Single Aisle programme.
What inspired you to join Airbus?
Airbus, with its pioneering role in next-generation projects, particularly in sustainable and safe air travel, was what inspired me. The company's commitment to cutting-edge projects and continuous focus on enhancing safety protocols resonated deeply with my personal and professional values. The opportunity to be a part of the Airbus mission to redefine air travel, making it more efficient was the driving force behind my desire to join Airbus.
What made you choose Airbus as the start of your career?
I was involved in an on-campus internship that made it easier to connect with the Airbus team when they came around for a visit during my undergraduate degree. While my internship in Nepal provided some initial experience through involvement in small-scale sounding rocketry projects, the scope of projects at Airbus offered a significantly larger platform for growth within the aerospace domain, opportunities that are not as readily available back home. Once I came here, I realised there were so many more possibilities to explore in engineering than I had imagined. During my internship, I had the chance to talk to people within the company, and that really helped me figure out the kind of roles that would be a good fit for what I was interested in. That experience made choosing Airbus for my early career feel like the natural next step.
What piece of advice would you give to a new intern or graduate joining Airbus?
For new interns and graduates: treat every interaction, every learning opportunity, as a crucial step in your journey.
For me, moving from Nepal to India right after graduation for an internship was a bit uncertain, as I wasn't sure if a full-time position would materialise at the end of the internship. However, I focused on absorbing every bit of knowledge, exceeding expectations, and diligently applying my skills. The interviews and mentor feedback were rigorous, but they ultimately proved that hard work and dedication, when aligned with opportunity, truly pay off.
What’s been the most exciting task you’ve worked on as part of your programme?
The most exciting part of my internship was presenting my project focused on optimising the cargo loading compartment’s electrical system installation in the A350F, to the focal points and chief designer in France. I accomplished this project within a compressed timeline and the positive feedback from them validated my hard work and rapid learning curve.
However, the ultimate highlight was signing my full-time employment offer on the very last days of my internship. To have my work, particularly the internship’s research and technology project, recognised by senior experts, and to transition from intern to full-time engineer, has been an incredibly rewarding and unforgettable experience.
What advice would you give to students thinking about joining Airbus?
For students considering Airbus: seek out projects, internships, and any opportunity to get hands-on experience with complex systems. Airbus is building the future of flight, and we need passionate individuals to make that happen. If you're driven, curious, and ready to contribute to something bigger, then Airbus is where you belong.
What do you appreciate most about Airbus as a workplace?
I love that Airbus feels like a team, not just a job. The strong teamwork and respect are clear; everyone helps each other learn. I like that Airbus really focuses on making things better for customers and the environment by prioritising safety and sustainability. Most of all, I feel valued here, my input matters. It's a place where everyone works together to make cool things happen, driven by innovation.