Amaury P. - Design engineer, aeronautical structures, DAHER

MINI PORTRAIT
After several years in Corsica, I started my engineering studies at the Centre International de Valbonne, near Antibes. At Centrale Nantes, I started to specialise in aeronautics part way through my second year, before pursuing the aeronautics option at Centrale Lyon. After graduation, I followed a Master's degree at Cranfield University, UK.
Whilst at Centrale Nantes, I was president of the Sailing Club.


YOUR CURRENT POSITION

I have been working for DAHER in Tarbes (formerly SOCATA) for more than two years now. I design aerostructure, that is to say that I design, pre-dimension and draw parts and subassemblies of aircraft structures, while taking into account the multiple constraints of mass, cost, aerodynamics, systems etc.
With a passion for aeronautics, I decided to direct my studies towards aero design, and that is exactly what I do! The studies are different every day and I never get bored! The job is complex and after two years I am still learning a lot everyday. I hope in a few years to know enough to be able to supervise a team of designers. And maybe, one day, design an entire plane!


WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR TRAINING PREPARED YOU FOR THIS POSITION?
The global perspective conveyed by Centrale Nantes which allows me to understand and interact with various stakeholders even without being specialized in their fields (and in aeronautics there are plenty: aerodynamics, systems, avionics, electronics, production, etc.).
I was able to specialize easily later on as I had acquired a solid grounding.


WHAT DID YOU LIKE AT CENTRALE NANTES?
Centrale Nantes gave me knowledge in many different areas, not just technical ones! From management to project management, including international exposure and links with industry. And the student associations are great!


ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
You can do everything you want at Centrale Nantes, live one’s passions to the full and discover new ones. Furthermore, we develop unexpected, but really useful skills and an open mind.


CENTRALE NANTES IN THREE WORDS?

multi-disciplinarity, openness, friendship