Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

Our reputation for pioneering and topical research is built on a long and successful history with aeronautical and automotive engineering. With programmes dating back to 1919, our reputation for research has been built on over 100 years of excellence. Learn more at Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering from the Loughborough University.

Our mission is to deliver world-leading excellence in our research, covering a full spectrum of engineering, technology and science activity essential to the fast-paced aeronautical and automotive industry.

The department comprises of around 37 academic staff and nearly 150 postgraduate students on taught and research programmes. By choosing to study one of our research degrees, you’ll not only be immersed in a vibrant research community which is supportive and nurturing, you’ll also have access to a rich research network which presents the opportunity to forge lasting links with industry.

The industry-focused environment at Loughborough creates a distinctive background to undertake your research degree in aeronautical engineering or automotive engineering. As well as working closely with your academic supervisors, many of whom are leading in their area of expertise, a result of our close relationship with industry means that our research remains at the cutting-edge of the aeronautical and automotive sectors.

With our  Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering at Loughborough University Loughborough University  you will make new discoveries, with our excellent laboratories and facilities providing a platform for world-class research. You’ll gain all the knowledge, skills and expertise needed for a career in engineering, research or academia. With our support, you’ll become an expert in your chosen field of study, developing research and management skills to give your career the perfect lift-off.

We have four major research working groups working across the technologies of automotive and aeronautical engineering, each working on a variety of research topics. These range from the development of new, low emissions combustion systems for gas turbine engines, through to fundamental investigations into the operation of hydrogen powered fuel cells. 

Careers

Graduates from our department leave with a breadth of technical skills and expertise, far beyond their particular degree specialism. Our graduates progress onto a wide variety of careers within engineering, which put the skills and knowledge acquired during this programme into practice. A higher degree, such as a PhD, can accelerate your career and facilitate progression into positions with higher responsibility. Upon completion of your PhD, you may also wish to stay within academic research, either securing a post-doctoral research position or lecturing role, within UK and international institutes.

Immediate positions:

• Fuel Cell Development Engineer, Intelligent Energy
• Chief Technology Officer, LiveLink Aerospace Ltd
• Simulation Arrivals Analyst, Gatwick Airport
• Postdoctoral Researcher, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Gas Turbine Consultant, Uniper 

Longer term destinations – where they are now:

• Senior Robotics Engineer, Saga Robotics
• Aerodynamics Development Team Leader, Red Bull Racing
• Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology
• Chief of Aerothermal, Rolls-Royce
• Head of Franchise Management, Network Rail
• Lead Software Engineer, Cadence Design Systems

Research groups:

• Connected and autonomous transportation

• Advanced simulation modelling and data-driven engineering

• Alternative power trains for transport energy reduction
• Net-zero combustion