AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co yesterday said it will hire research and development staff from abroad for locally-made jumbo jets.

Its first career fair will be held in London today and will last until early April, said Zhang Yujin, the company's vice general manager.

The recruiting team will also travel to the United States in the first half of this year.

"We expect to have a 500-person engine research and development team by the end of this year, with about 40 percent of the staff to come from overseas," Zhang said.