Meet Akshay

What inspired you to join Airbus? 

My inspiration to join Airbus stems from a lifelong fascination with aircraft. Since childhood, I have viewed them as both true marvels of engineering and as the force that has fundamentally transformed our world into a small global village. This passion naturally led me to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

A pivotal moment was when an Airbus team visited the IITB Campus. Listening to them was a highly inspiring experience, it provided a clear vision of practical problem-solving, using all the theoretical tools we were learning.

At that moment, I had no doubt that this was the path I wanted to take: developing the next generation of aircraft with Airbus.

Is there something that surprised you about working for Airbus?

While it is common knowledge that one engineer can't build an aircraft, the sheer size and complexity of the organisation and ecosystem is truly fascinating. It operates like precise clockwork, involving thousands of moving parts and individuals working in perfect synchronisation.

Explain what you do in simple terms

I lead a team of 26 engineers working on understanding design, characterisation and noise of an aircraft from an aerodynamics perspective. I am responsible for both ensuring support to our current fleet and for enabling development of the next generation of aircraft. 

How does your role contribute to Airbus’ mission or the success of its products?

Our contribution is primarily focused on enabling the future competitiveness of our aircraft. We achieve this by actively driving improvements in product performance and efficiency through rigorous evaluation and integration of new technology bricks.

How has Airbus supported your career growth or personal development?

Airbus fosters a great environment where employees are genuinely empowered to grow and develop their expertise. This support has been provided through several key internal programmes such as the Airbus Values workshop, complemented by various technical and soft skills training sessions. In addition, I have received continuous guidance from mentors and coaches, and have proactively undertaken several stretch assignments to build my leadership and technical capabilities.

How has your career evolved since you joined Airbus?

I started my career at Airbus as an Aerodynamics Engineer, dedicating the first seven years to critical work, including rapid decompression analysis. During this phase, I grew my technical expertise significantly, taking on complex project responsibilities and managing diverse stakeholders both within the company and externally.

Following this, I moved into a role focused on business performance improvement for the transnational aerodynamics organisation. This experience was pivotal in broadening my understanding of business strategy and transformation.

Is there a specific project or moment you’re particularly proud of? Why?

The project I am most proud of as a decompression engineer involved the development of a new cargo lining for the A321neo XLR. This moment of achievement remains highly personal.

My professional development journey has now culminated in my current position as Team Leader of the aerodynamics team in Bangalore, marking the next exciting chapter in my career progression.

What would you say to someone who doesn’t think they “fit” in aerospace?

An aircraft cannot be designed or built by a single person or a single skill set. Therefore, diversity is essential, not just nice to have, but a fundamental necessity for achieving great aircraft design.

Which Airbus value resonates with you, and why?

I would say that respect and integrity are the bedrock of my team culture. We are a very diverse team, working with very diverse stakeholders and these values help us connect with each other on a daily basis. 

What’s one message you’d like to share with the next generation of aerospace professionals?

Your passion is the launchpad, the stars are your destination.