I worked at Airbus Portugal for about six months and was let go just before the end of my probation period due to alleged “technical gaps.”
The issue is not the decision itself — it’s how it was handled.
From day one, there was a clear mismatch between the role advertised (Business Analyst) and the actual work (closer to developer/application support on an unfamiliar platform). Despite this, I made the effort to adapt and learn. During the interviews, the technical aspects were NEVER evaluated (and the manager had the camera off during interview).
What stood out most was the lack of management. I had to proactively request 1:1 meetings after one and three months, and both times I was told I was performing well and on the right track. No concerns were raised, no risks flagged, and no clear expectations set.
In reality, there was no structured onboarding, no consistent follow-up, and no real support. My manager was largely absent, and feedback was vague and non-actionable.
Then, without warning, I was informed that my contract would not continue due to the same “technical gaps” that had never been clearly communicated.
During my exit discussion, HR openly acknowledged that there are known issues with management and leadership.
Key concerns:
Misleading role definition vs. actual responsibilities.
No proper technical validation during hiring.
Lack of onboarding and support.
Absent management and poor communication.
Known internal issues, but no effective action.
If you’re considering joining Airbus Portugal, ask very specific questions about the role, expectations, and support structure.