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| Toulouse-based engineer Elisabeth has worked for Airbus for 23 years. During that time, she has had the chance to work on a wide range of projects that have developed her skills and knowledge and helped her contribute to the success of Airbus. | |
| What led you to a career in Airbus and what is your job today? After studying at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon and working for three years as a mechanical engineer in the wastewater industry, I joined Airbus, then Aerospatiale SNI, in 1981 as a development engineer for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) methods. Since then, I’ve been managing the development and deployment of computer-aided design (CAD) methods and tools to support the A340 Family aircraft. More recently, I have been working on the A380 and the A400M. I am currently project leader for the aircraft development sub-project on Value Improvement through a Virtual Aeronautical Collaborative Enterprise (VIVACE), a major research project co-funded by the European Commission. The project aims to reduce the average time and cost of aircraft development by increasing the use of computer simulation at all stages in the process. How has working at Airbus enabled you to develop your career? Working for Airbus has presented me with many opportunities to develop and extend my skills while working in an exciting, multi-cultural environment. During my career, I have had responsibilities for research into computer-aided design, digital mock-up, virtual reality and knowledge-based engineering and worked in close relationship with other companies inside and outside the EADS group. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Being part of the Airbus success story is very rewarding. I feel extremely proud when I see an Airbus aircraft take off, even if my participation in the final product, as an individual, is quite small. It will be even more exciting when it is the A380 taking off. I also like being a ‘European’ worker, exchanging knowledge and working in close co-operation with Airbus colleagues in other countries. I feel like we are helping to build Europe. What difference has it made being a woman in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry? When I joined the company, I was the first female engineer in manufacturing at Aerospatiale SNI. I think there is still something of a pioneering spirit for women in engineering roles in all companies and while this can be challenging, it is also a wonderful chance to make your mark. What would you say to other women to encourage them to work for Airbus? Working for Airbus means working in a stimulating and enriching environment. The products, the level of technical innovation on Airbus products and the multi-cultural organisation in which we work, provide unique opportunities that you don’t get in many other companies. |
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