Meet Immanuel

What’s one thing that makes your job exciting or special?

The level of real-world responsibility. Every day is a new puzzle, and the investigations my team conducts directly impact global flight safety. Knowing that my work keeps real aircraft safely in the sky is incredibly rewarding.

What inspired you to join Airbus? 

I have had a deep passion for aircraft since I was young - the A380 was, and still is, my absolute favourite aircraft. I was always in awe of how innovative Airbus is as a company, and I desperately wanted to be part of the team pushing those engineering boundaries.

What specifically drew me to Airbus and made my dream a reality was the Degree Apprenticeship programme. My educational journey was definitely "squiggly." I was born in the UK but moved to Nigeria for secondary school growing up, before returning to the UK late in Year 11 - Because of that transition, I initially struggled and failed A-levels that didn't suit me. I found my footing and I achieved straight Distinctions in Aeronautical Engineering at college. Then an apprenticeship offered a direct bridge from my retail jobs into this highly innovative company. It allowed me to earn my degree, work around the incredible aircraft I grew up admiring, and prove that I truly belong in this industry.

Is there something that surprised you about working for Airbus?

As a young Black man, I didn’t always see people who looked like me in the engineering world, and the industry can feel incredibly distant when you don’t fit the traditional mould. Stepping into corporate engineering as a young Black man from a working-class background, I definitely battled imposter syndrome when I first joined. I wondered if the environment would feel "elite" or if I would truly fit in alongside people who took the traditional, linear university route. What surprised me the most is how quickly Airbus helps you dismantle that imposter syndrome by actively trusting and empowering you.

I found a culture that values hard work, passion, and capability above your background. It was truly remarkable to find that just five or six months after concluding my apprenticeship in December 2024, I was already being put forward for the Reportable Occurrence Lead development track. 

Explain what you do in simple terms

When an airline reports a problem, damage, or an unusual event on an aircraft they are currently flying, I lead the engineering investigation to find out exactly what happened and why. Working within the In-Service Occurrences team my day-to-day job is a lot like being an engineering detective. For example, I might use 3D design software to closely examine how a specific part of the wing was originally built, or I might team up with other stakeholders to figure out the root cause of a technical issue to confirm that the fleet is fully safe for continued operation following a comprehensive investigation and risk assessment.

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

My work directly contributes to the core mission of Airbus: ensuring the safety and reliability of our aircraft worldwide. By thoroughly investigating and understanding any technical events that happen while our aircraft are in service, my team ensures that our airline customers can trust our aircraft to transport their passengers safely every single day. Furthermore, by finding the root causes of these real-world events, my work helps Airbus continuously learn and improve the design and safety of all future aircraft.

How has Airbus supported your career growth or personal development?

The degree apprenticeship allowed me to learn, earn, and prove myself all at once. Airbus gave me a foot in the door and provided an environment where I could immediately start working alongside senior engineers to build my technical expertise and regulatory knowledge.

How has your career evolved since you joined Airbus?

I joined Airbus in 2020 as a Degree Apprentice, which was the perfect bridge for me to transition from a retail job into aerospace. I successfully rolled off the scheme in December 2024 as a Design Engineer. Currently, I am on the professional development path to qualify as a Reportable Occurrence Leader. As part of this progression, I am undergoing specialised training to achieve the signatory status required to hold formal legal authority for these vital safety investigations.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Airbus?

Don’t worry if you don’t fit the traditional mould—as long as you have the drive, there is a place for you to belong at Airbus.

Upon returning from Nigeria during secondary school, my options were restricted to core higher secondary school examinations, specifically in Mathematics, English, and the sciences. I initially struggled with A-levels in subjects that didn’t ignite my interest. It was only by pivoting to a specialised Aeronautical Engineering course at college that I truly unlocked my potential. My advice is to never let early academic hurdles make you feel like you don’t belong in a technical or scientific career.

What do you appreciate most about Airbus as a workplace?

What I appreciate most about Airbus is the supportive and collaborative culture. It is an environment where teamwork is highly valued, and colleagues are always willing to share their expertise to help you succeed. I also really value how much the company invests in its employees' growth, providing continuous opportunities to learn and develop. It is a workplace that encourages innovation and trusts you to take on meaningful responsibilities, which makes it a fantastic place to build a long-term career.

What motivates you to keep growing in your career?

What motivates me the most is the desire to pull others up the ladder behind me. Because of my own non-traditional journey and my early battles with imposter syndrome as a young Black man in engineering, I mentor for the Access Project, to help under-resourced/underprivileged students enter top UK universities/apprenticeships and achieve social mobility. I am deeply driven by the need to show students from non-traditional or working-class backgrounds that their ceiling is so much higher than they might think. On a technical level, the dynamic nature of the ISO team and working towards my Reportable Occurrence leader sign-off means there is always a new, complex engineering puzzle to solve, which constantly pushes me to sharpen my skills.