GE Aerospace · Washington, D.C.
Mechanical & Aerospace
About GE Aerospace
Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!
Roles and Responsibilities
In the 12-month Research & Development (R&D) Placement, you will work on R&D projects with multi-disciplinary and international teams. This is a Research Engineering role where you'll develop the next generation of projects. The placement will be a mix of hands-on, analytical & testing, working with a breadth of engineers providing you with exposure to the full life cycle.
We have several types of roles within this area; here is a snapshot of them:
Advanced Technology Organisation (ATO) (Cheltenham) - you will work on R&D and advanced technology projects in multi-disciplinary, international teams to help invent the future of flight and develop GE Aerospace’s next-generation products. The role blends design, analytical work, and hands-on prototyping and testing, giving you exposure to a wide range of engineering disciplines while maturing new technologies and products for commercialization and flight in roughly 2–5 years. You could work in areas such as embedded software, electronics and electrical hardware, prototype systems design and testing, and modelling and simulation across Power and Avionics products, joining an agile project team where tasks, support needs, and progress are discussed in daily meetings.
Analysis team - R&D Performance Engineering (Dowty) - you will work on R&D projects in propeller aerodynamics and acoustics with multi‑disciplinary, international teams, gaining exposure to the full lifecycle of propeller systems through a mix of hands‑on work, analytical tasks and testing. You will develop new design and analysis methods, run advanced CFD simulations to predict propeller performance, and validate results using wind tunnel data from high‑frequency pressure sensors, strain gauges and optical diagnostics such as PIV and SPR, in order to demonstrate aerodynamic and acoustic benefits of next‑generation propeller designs. Throughout the year you will be supported by structured goals, coaching and mentoring from your people leader and project team, present your findings regularly to experts in the UK, US and Germany, and may have opportunities to contribute to propeller or component test campaigns.
You will be guided by structured goals and objectives and will have responsibility to deliver on inspiring projects supported by your People Leader and team around you. We will guide you throughout the year to ensure you make the best of your GE Aerospace experience. Your People Leader will offer coaching and mentoring, and you will be provided with the opportunity to connect with other placement students across the UK.
This opportunity is offered in our Cheltenham and Gloucester (Dowty, a GE Aerospace company) sites, during the process we will ask you to share your location and role preferences.
With over 1,700 employees, GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham is one of the largest sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy.
Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications. The scale and complexity of engineering projects offer our employees unique opportunities to work on major international projects, developing critical aircraft systems that will be relied on by many people for decades to come.
At GE Aerospace we strive to be an employer of choice by offering internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development programmes that create a workplace where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.
Innovation, a commitment to engineering excellence and leadership development places GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham as a pioneering force in building the future of flight.
Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, is based in Gloucestershire. It is a world-leading supplier of electronically controlled, composite propeller systems for A wide range of civil and military applications, including commercial airliners and military airlifters to multi-role seaplanes and marine hovercraft.
Key programs include the Lockheed Martin C-130J, the De-Haviland, Dash 8-400 and the Leonardo C-27J.
Operated by a highly skilled workforce, Dowty’s’ in-house production expertise for composite blades includes application of resin transfer moulding processes, which have been continuously evolved and perfected since 1976; and the use of braiding machines that rapidly and accurately apply the blades’ fibre outer layers.
If you are passionate about R&D, we would like to hear from you.
This placement role is an intended pipeline to our Edison Engineering Development Programme (EEDP) based in Cheltenham. Towards the end of the placement year, we will open graduate applications for our current placement students with an aim to secure a role prior to the end of their placement year.
Meaning, you can head back into your final year at university with a graduate job offer in hand. All you need to do is secure a 2,1 degree or above!
If you love technology and desire a career in Engineering, EEDP is for you.
Edison Engineers understand and apply engineering fundamentals in the business environment and design, analyse, and test the technology that continues to innovate how the world flies sustainably. Find out more here https://invent.ge/eedp
Qualifications / Requirements
Currently studying an Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical, Systems or Software Engineering Bachelor’s or integrated Master’s degree
On course to achieve a 2:1 degree or above
To be in your penultimate year of study and returning to education post placement
Desired Characteristics
Able to roll up your sleeves and get involved in projects
Organised & able to work towards deadlines
Inspired and curious to learn
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Able to take ownership for projects
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Able to work as part of a team
A placement at GE Aerospace is an opportunity to learn while doing. At GE Aerospace, you’ll work with business leaders in an atmosphere that will develop you, while doing work that makes an immediate impact.
Total Reward
At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice, and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.
As a new joiner to GE, we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs.
Non-contributory Pension
Life Assurance
Group income protection
Private medical cover
Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible options to buy or sell
Recruitment Process
As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, the stages include a video interview, testing and MS Teams online interview. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated and understand what is next in the process.
If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via UKEarly.Careers@geaerospace.com.
Please note our applications will close on Saturday 31st October but may close earlier dependant on application volumes. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please only submit one application. If you submit multiple applications, we will progress the most suitable one. If in future you are deemed to be suitable for other opportunities, we will automatically consider you for these too.
Security Clearance
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS.
Right to Work
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.
Further, sponsorship is not available for our Early Careers opportunities. Our placement roles are pipeline for our graduate roles so you would need the permanent right to work to be eligible. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Whether we are manufacturing components for our engines, driving innovation in fuel and noise reduction, or unlocking new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity, our GE Aerospace teams are dedicated and making a global impact. Join us and help move the aerospace industry forward.