Working Student – Python Development for Aircraft Design Optimisation (all genders)

ABOUT THE ROLE

Help develop the Python tools behind early aircraft design decisions. You will build on ERC’s existing multi-objective design optimisation framework, extending its functionality and improving the engineering models used in initial aircraft sizing.

A central part of your work is capturing the physical effects and design dependencies that matter early in development, and translating findings from higher-fidelity analyses, supplier data and testing into efficient models for sizing loops and optimisation studies. This helps ERC make better-informed design decisions early on.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop Python functionality for aircraft sizing, design exploration and multi-objective optimisation
• Add and improve models for performance, aerodynamics, propulsion, energy and mass with the relevant engineers
• Capture the physical relationships, constraints and interactions that drive early design decisions at sizing-level detail
• Build and validate surrogate models based on higher-fidelity simulation results and engineering data
• Support trade studies by comparing aircraft concepts, investigating sensitivities and weighing competing design objectives
• Strengthen modularity, interfaces, documentation and testing so the framework stays reliable and easy to extend
• Create plots and summaries that help engineers interpret results, recognise model limitations and identify infeasible designs

WHAT YOU BRING

• Current studies in aerospace or mechanical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or a related discipline
• Practical Python experience and an interest in scientific computing
• An interest in aircraft design and the physics behind computational models
• Familiarity with numerical methods, data analysis or optimisation
• The habit of questioning assumptions, checking units and physical plausibility, and documenting model limitations
• A hands-on, self-reliant approach and the initiative to investigate problems and see them through
• Enjoyment of collaborating with engineers, sharing progress and seeking input when needed

Moreover, it would be helpful if you also

• have worked with NumPy, SciPy, pandas or similar libraries
• have experience with Git and automated testing
• bring some exposure to surrogate modelling or multi-objective optimisation

WHAT WE OFFER

• Full-scale aerospace engineering, not concept slides
• A 60+ engineer team at Ottobrunn
• Real ownership and flat hierarchies: a modern startup culture where your input shapes decisions, not just execution
• Flexible working hours, remote work, and competitive compensation
• Health & wellbeing: EGYM Wellpass membership and subsidized lunch in our canteen
• Office extras: espresso coffee, fresh fruit, and soft drinks, plus regular team and company events, and plenty more once you're on board

About us

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Built for purpose. When time matters.

ERC was founded to close Europe's critical capability gap in the sky. Two full-scale demonstrators. Two EU records. Built for the missions that cannot wait.