#AmazingJobsAtSafranNacelles – Thibault – “I enjoy seeing my work come to fruition”

A career in France and Europe

Since university, Thibault focused his studies on the aerospace industry. After a Mechanical and Production Engineering degree, his tutors pushed him to pursue his academic path in a engineering school, where he specialised in materials and technological innovation. He continued his education in England with an MSc in Aeronautical Materials, then a PhD devoted to deformation energy storage structures for landing gear, supported by Safran Landing Systems. 

As he entered the working world, his interest in composite materials led him to TPRC (Thermoplastic Composites Research Centre), an applied research centre based in the Netherlands and specialised in thermoplastic matrix composites for industrial applications. He worked there for three years as a research engineer. Safran is one of the TPRC’s industrial partners, which enabled Thibault to maintain a link with the Group.

At the end of this international experience, Thibault chose to return to France, wanting to put his skills to use in a stimulating environment. “After ten years abroad, I wanted to share what I had learned with my country.” he explains. “Safran had trusted me from the beginning and I wanted to continue working in this group, which also offered me the opportunity to continue working on composites."

Between research and production

Hired by Safran Nacelles, he positioned himself in a role at the interface between research and production: R&T Project Lead, in the Operations Department. More specifically, he works on the innovative processes envisaged for the RISE⁽¹⁾ programme, such as thermocompression, which makes it possible to rapidly produce parts with complex shapes while integrating multiple functions, and the use of thermoplastic resins to replace thermosetting resins ⁽²⁾. “It gives me an overall vision of the various areas of the company: materials, design, production, simulation, maintenance, industrial strategy…” he explains.  “And I also work closely with Safran Composites⁽³⁾. That's very interesting to me."

He also analyses the advantages of thermocompression as an alternative to autoclave curing on existing nacelles, with an exploration that goes far beyond the mere selection of a material. “Thermocompression is not just a new process: it is a true technological breakthrough that forces us to rethink the entire industrial chain.” says Thibault. Finally, he is studying the possibility of upgrading scrap thermosetting materials, which are currently not exploited. 

Making an impact

His position requires both technical expertise and people skills: the ability to communicate, to convey ideas, to bring various stakeholders together for enhanced collective work. "We must also learn how to think outside the box, to put forward innovative solutions and promote them." Thibault observes. “For me, Icarus’s dream is not just about flying, it’s about pushing the boundaries. And what motivates me is to be able to make an impact on technology, but also on people. Because our projects create industrial activities, and therefore work.” Proud to see his projects come to fruition, Thibault is looking forward to the first production part produced by Safran Nacelles using thermocompression. “That’s exactly what I was looking for when I took up this position: contributing to something real, practical, useful and promising for the future." 

(1) technological demonstration programme launched in 2021 by Safran to prepare a new generation of aircraft engines that reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by more than 20% using innovative technologies such as the Open Fan architecture and advanced composite materials.
(2) Thermosets are resins that cure irreversibly and can no longer be reprocessed. Thermoplastics can be reformed several times without losing their mechanical properties.
(3) Safran R&D Centre dedicated to innovation in composite materials, particularly thermoplastic and ceramic matrix composites.