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

eRC-System Office
Part-time
Working Student

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.