Airbus Spain

Aerospace Toulouse, France134000 employeesFounded 1970www.airbus.comGetafe Illescas Seville Puerto Real

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space, and related services, operating as one of the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturers alongside its defense, space, and helicopter divisions. With a workforce of over 130,000 employees worldwide, the company designs and manufactures a wide range of commercial aircraft (A220, A320, A330, A350), military aircraft (A400M, Eurofighter, C295), and space systems. Its engineering and industrial footprint spans multiple continents, with major facilities in France, Germany, the UK, the US, and China.

In Spain, Airbus has a substantial and strategic presence, with major industrial and engineering sites in Getafe, Illescas, Puerto Real, and Seville, where it manufactures components for commercial aircraft and plays a key role in military programs such as the C295 and Eurofighter. The Spanish offices employ over 10,000 professionals and host the company's Airbus UpNext innovation unit focused on future disruptive technologies. For international professionals, Airbus Spain offers access to large-scale aerospace engineering projects in a country with strong engineering talent, relatively competitive cost of living compared to other European hubs, and a multicultural work environment with internal mobility opportunities.

Company History

Airbus was founded in 1970 as a consortium of European aerospace companies (Airbus Industrie), initially to develop the first twin-engine widebody aircraft (A300). Over the decades, it expanded through mergers and acquisitions, becoming Airbus SE in 2000 with operations in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK, and grew into a global leader in civilian and military aerospace.

For International Professionals

Airbus Spain is one of the company's main engineering and production hubs, with major sites in Madrid (Getafe, Illescas), Seville, and Puerto Real, offering a range of technical and corporate roles.
The Spanish operations are deeply integrated with Airbus global programs, including the A400M, Eurofighter, and C295, providing international professionals the opportunity to work on high-profile aerospace platform developments.
With Spain being a hub for Airbus's UpNext innovation center, professionals can be involved in advanced concept development in autonomy and future air mobility at the 'Airbus UpNext' unit in Spain.
The company promotes internal mobility, making it common for engineers to transfer between Spain and other Airbus facilities across Europe (e.g., France, Germany, UK), which can be aided by EU citizenship recognition.
Working in Spain often offers a balanced lifestyle with a lower cost of living compared to other European aerospace hubs, although salary figures in Spain often reflect local comp and may be slightly below that of equivalent roles in France or the UK.