Graduate Wing Structures Engineer Review
at Airbus
Graduate Scheme
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Filton
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
3.8 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.3/5
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Overview of the Role
3.8/5
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Experience & Company Culture
2/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at Airbus?
I find the graduate scheme incredible. However, I believe the pre-applicant communication could be significantly enhanced to better showcase these strengths and manage candidate expectations.
To maximize the scheme's appeal and improve the onboarding experience, I suggest clarifying the following key areas for future applicants:
Highlight Unique Selling Points: Heavily advertise the international placement opportunities, mentorship network, CLIMB & SPACE Toulouse trips, development time, and extensive training days as major recruitment incentives.
Clarify Career Pathways: Provide transparency regarding role trajectories early on, distinguishing between paths with predetermined exit roles and those with open departmental options.
Streamline Placement Support: Clarify that graduates are typically responsible for organizing their own placements. As this varies significantly by department, if it is too nuanced to share during the application phase, it should be addressed directly during onboarding. For external hires, navigating this autonomy can cause significant initial stress, so scheduling dedicated support sessions with Airbus staff or current graduates upon joining would be highly beneficial.
Transparent Compensation: Clearly communicate the one-year pay review process from the outset.
Refining these communication points will not only attract top talent but also ensure a smoother, less stressful transition for external hires joining the company.
To maximize the scheme's appeal and improve the onboarding experience, I suggest clarifying the following key areas for future applicants:
Highlight Unique Selling Points: Heavily advertise the international placement opportunities, mentorship network, CLIMB & SPACE Toulouse trips, development time, and extensive training days as major recruitment incentives.
Clarify Career Pathways: Provide transparency regarding role trajectories early on, distinguishing between paths with predetermined exit roles and those with open departmental options.
Streamline Placement Support: Clarify that graduates are typically responsible for organizing their own placements. As this varies significantly by department, if it is too nuanced to share during the application phase, it should be addressed directly during onboarding. For external hires, navigating this autonomy can cause significant initial stress, so scheduling dedicated support sessions with Airbus staff or current graduates upon joining would be highly beneficial.
Transparent Compensation: Clearly communicate the one-year pay review process from the outset.
Refining these communication points will not only attract top talent but also ensure a smoother, less stressful transition for external hires joining the company.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
I love the learning opportunities. Each rotation offers another unique perspective into the business and expands your technical knowledge.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
4/5
It is hard within a three month rotation to contribute meaningfully to a project. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to help and learn. You may gain less responsibility given your time duration within a team but everyone is more than happy for you to jump in and help and shadow.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
3/5
Of all the companies I applied to, Airbus paid the lowest. Was a bit shocked by that to be honest. Though the 35 hour work weeks are lovely. The company culture and five week holiday is splendid. Also, I get that part of my benefits is simply the time and cost Airbus is investing into me during the graduate scheme.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
The rotations serves as a career accelerator by providing a holistic, cross-functional understanding of the business. Moving between up to eight different departments builds elite adaptability and resilience, forcing you to master new workflows and team dynamics under tight timeframes. This rapid pacing exponentially expands your internal network across multiple stakeholders, enabling seamless collaboration when you transition to a permanent role. Finally, it offers a de-risked environment to test-drive diverse career paths and build a robust technical toolkit, transforming you into a versatile, well-connected professional primed for future leadership. I truly think every employer should have this scheme.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
4/5
Most people are incredibly supportive and willing to give advice.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
4/5
Everyone is extremely kind and willing to help. Love the work from home policy option.
How would you rate Airbus initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
4/5
It is getting much better but still need to massively work on Diversity. Only two female engineering grads in my Filton cohort including myself.
How would you rate Airbus CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
2/5
Surprised that Airbus do not pay for team socials and Christmas dinners. Everywhere else does. Even clubs like Pilates are paid by the employees.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Airbus to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a fabulous programme. Anybody would be lucky to join it.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
2/5
Clarifying the following key areas for future applicants:
Highlight Unique Selling Points: Heavily advertise the international placement opportunities, mentorship network, CLIMB & SPACE Toulouse trips, development time, and extensive training days as major recruitment incentives.
Clarify Career Pathways: Provide transparency regarding role trajectories early on, distinguishing between paths with predetermined exit roles and those with open departmental options.
Streamline Placement Support: Clarify that graduates are typically responsible for organizing their own placements. As this varies significantly by department, if it is too nuanced to share during the application phase, it should be addressed directly during onboarding. For external hires, navigating this autonomy can cause significant initial stress, so scheduling dedicated support sessions with Airbus staff or current graduates upon joining would be highly beneficial.
Transparent Compensation: Clearly communicate the one-year pay review process from the outset.
First Placement: Six months within your home department. If in a general scheme, you will be randomly assigned.
Highlight Unique Selling Points: Heavily advertise the international placement opportunities, mentorship network, CLIMB & SPACE Toulouse trips, development time, and extensive training days as major recruitment incentives.
Clarify Career Pathways: Provide transparency regarding role trajectories early on, distinguishing between paths with predetermined exit roles and those with open departmental options.
Streamline Placement Support: Clarify that graduates are typically responsible for organizing their own placements. As this varies significantly by department, if it is too nuanced to share during the application phase, it should be addressed directly during onboarding. For external hires, navigating this autonomy can cause significant initial stress, so scheduling dedicated support sessions with Airbus staff or current graduates upon joining would be highly beneficial.
Transparent Compensation: Clearly communicate the one-year pay review process from the outset.
First Placement: Six months within your home department. If in a general scheme, you will be randomly assigned.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to Airbus?
Yes, I tell them all the information I listed above.
