Laboratory Equipment Design Engineering Placement (12.5 months)

ZipRecruiter; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Bristol is seeking an undergraduate for a placement focusing on mechanical design and test rig support. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining test rigs for aircraft systems, assessing functional tests, and collaborating within a team. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with an interest in fluid mechanics. This role provides flexible working and opportunities for skill development.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Half day Fridays

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Must be an undergraduate for the duration of the placement.
• Interest in fluid mechanics, hydraulics, or pneumatics.
• Project management knowledge or interest.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and commissioning of new test rigs.
• Maintain and evolve current test rigs.
• Conduct functional integration tests on lab test means.

Skills

Mechanical design skills

Data analysis

Presenting and report writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Currently studying towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Job Description: Start date: 17 August 2026 | Location: Filton, Bristol | Duration: 12.5 months

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus. There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for; however, you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

AI Guidance

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Benefits

Salary: £23,400
35 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Hybrid working // Half day Fridays
25 days holiday plus bank holidays

About us

You will join the Laboratory Test Means Fluid Mechanical Design and Test team (LTM). The role provides the opportunity to develop soft and technical skills in end-to-end activities, including designing, building, and testing, on projects for aircraft that are already flying and those that may fly in the future.

Team and Focus

The Laboratory Test Means Architecture and Integration team supports development and certification test activities for fuel and landing gear systems across Airbus programmes. The test scope covers fluid mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and mechanical equipment on fuel rigs and landing gear means, including:

• Verification of fluid mechanics;
• Pneumatics, hydraulics, and mechanical equipment on fuel rigs and landing gear means;
• System performance under various conditions;
• Equipment robustness and certification tests.

Emerging technologies, such as zero-carbon aviation, are increasingly part of our portfolio.

What you will be doing

The main activities include:

• Laboratory test means support, including test mean development and commissioning for new test rigs;
• Maintenance and evolution of current test rigs;
• Functional integration tests on lab test means: identification of test mean needs; test procedure preparation and execution on Airbus rigs in Filton; support of system tests at supplier facilities.

The department aims to support the Integration and Flight Test center’s vision of a “single test team” covering all tests from Supplier to Flight Test. The jobholder will be a member of a group in the LTM Architecture and Integration department in Filton, working closely with related test teams to support fuels and/or landing gear systems hydromechanical test engineers on various activities within one or more groups.

Travel and Development

Activities may involve work on any Airbus Aircraft programmes or R&T, and may require trips to other Airbus sites or supplier facilities. There may be opportunities to experience other areas within the fuels and landing gear test department, including avionics testing and flight test analysis. There are significant opportunities to develop soft skills through development tasks, including school liaison events and departmental activities.

Requirements

Placements are open to undergraduates only, which is mandatory for the whole duration of the placement. Please indicate your graduation date on your application. Your CV and a Cover Letter outlining motivation and suitability are required. Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Studying towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Science, or equivalent;
• Interest in technical challenges with focus on fluid mechanics, hydraulics, or pneumatics;
• Skills in mechanical design and build, data analysis, presenting and report writing;
• Project management knowledge or interest;
• Commitment to delivering on time;
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team and autonomously;
• Negotiation level of English (written and spoken);
• Nice to have awareness of aircraft systems and basic electronics;
• Understanding of measurement techniques (e.g., pressure, flow, temperature).

Security: You will be subject to a BPSS check. You may also need UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control depending on the role.

Contact and Accessibility

Please inform us if you need adjustments to participate in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact us. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Legal and Equal Opportunity

Airbus is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce and equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications irrespective of background or belief. We will never ask for monetary exchange in recruitment. If you encounter impersonation, report it via the provided contact channel.