Meet Simone

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

What makes my role as a Research Engineer truly rewarding is the opportunity to explore novel concepts and bridge ideas across diverse engineering disciplines. I thoroughly enjoy working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that encourages creative, outside-the-box thinking. This position allows me to actively challenge and shape our strategic direction as we drive continuous improvements in airframe design, safety, and performance.

What inspired you to join Airbus? 

I joined Airbus (formerly Eurocopter) as a working student during my second semester of university. 

My studies had sparked a deep passion for aerospace engineering, and I became particularly fascinated by the intricate technical complexity of helicopters. 

Is there something that surprised you about working for Airbus?

I never imagined that there would be so many career possibilities and opportunities for one to develop professionally and also personally. 

Explain what you do in simple terms

As a Research Engineer in Airframe Engineering, my role is to identify and integrate innovative concepts from various engineering disciplines. I focus on discovering new approaches to make helicopter airframes lighter, and more efficient, while also streamlining the manufacturing process. Ultimately, my goal is to drive maximum value for our customers and ensure our aircraft meet the highest possible standards of safety. 

What’s the most innovative project you’ve worked on at Airbus?

The most innovative project I have worked on involves integrating advanced fibre-optic sensor technology directly into helicopter rotor blades. By deploying these specialised strain and shape sensors, we can precisely monitor how a blade deforms during flight, providing real-time data on the aircraft's overall loading environment. We recently achieved a major milestone by embedding these sensors within a critical rotor blade component and subjecting it to rigorous fatigue testing. Our goal was to evaluate the operational lifespan of the sensors against the actual service life of the part, and the outcomes were incredibly promising, paving the way for the use of in-service operational data to enable condition-based maintenance for rotorcraft. 

How has Airbus supported your career growth or personal development?

I have benefited from exceptional growth and development opportunities at Airbus. Notably, the company fully supported my PhD programme in collaboration with the UK-based part of Airbus Helicopters and Cranfield University. Additionally, I had the privilege of participating in the ASPIRE programme, a leadership initiative specifically designed to empower women within the organisation. This experience not only accelerated my leadership capabilities but also provided invaluable insights into the diverse functions across the broader company, expanding my strategic perspective.  

How has your career evolved since you joined Airbus?

My journey with Airbus began in 2008 in Ottobrunn when I joined as a working student during my second semester of university. 

Over the next 12 years, working across sites in both Germany and the UK, I successfully transitioned from a student into a mechanical design engineer, eventually advancing into roles such as a PhD researcher and a technology project manager. Managing concurrent research alongside technology integration during this period marked my most significant professional growth.

In 2020, I moved to Donauwörth, Germany, where my role has continued to evolve, it spans pre-design engineering for future projects and engineering data analysis. Today, I am acting as a Research Engineer in Airframe Engineering, where I am responsible for driving innovation management and leading research and technology coordination.

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

To anyone who feels they don’t "fit" in aerospace because of their background, my response is simple: 

"Perfect—you are exactly who we need." 

Passion for the field is what truly matters. I firmly believe that to build the best products, we need people with diverse mindsets, unique approaches, and fresh perspectives. If everyone in our industry studied exactly the same discipline using the same methods at the same universities, our innovation would stagnate. Embracing non-traditional backgrounds is precisely how we challenge status-quo thinking and design the next generation of flight.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

My advice is to actively build your network, stay curious, and always strive to understand the bigger picture. Especially as an engineer, it is easy to get caught up in the technical details of a specific component. Looking beyond your tasks allows you to see how your work impacts the broader system and the organisation as a whole.

What do you appreciate most about Airbus as a workplace?

What I appreciate most about working at Airbus is the international and inclusive work environment. The diversity of cultures, mindsets, and personalities fosters a rich collaborative culture where different perspectives thrive. 

Which Airbus value resonates with you, and why?

The Airbus value that resonates with me the most is "We Are One." Airbus is much more than a European company; operating on a global scale, it brings diverse cultures and backgrounds together through a shared passion for aviation. 

Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that inspires you in your work?

“You are no better than anyone else, and no one is better than you.” by Katherine Johnson.

What's next?

For my next career step, I will be transitioning from engineering to join the Operations team as an Executive Assistant in Marignane.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to gaining insight into the strategic decisions shaping our manufacturing processes. I am eager to understand our daily operational challenges firsthand and to learn how operations can collaborate even more closely to ensure the seamless, timely delivery of our helicopters.