Benjamin Villarese, Project Manager Officer at Safran Engineering Services

In order to become a PMO, Benjamin Villarese first graduated at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (Higher Institute of Technology) in electronic engineering and industrial information technology in Cachan (south of Paris), during which he did an internship at Thales Air Systems. He was working on radar tests to configure them according to the needs of the client. Later, at the same university, he enrolled for a professional graduate diploma with a course in radio telecommunications. Finally, he enrolled at the Polytech Paris-UPMC school of engineering, specializing in electronic and microwave systems. Over these four years he worked and studied on a block release basis: “I was recruited by GTIE Air & Defense, where I managed projects to install and commission systems for airports located in 17 African countries”, explains Benjamin. “Towards the end, my tasks covered the whole range of project management support: from the call for tenders to the technical response, including planning, budgeting and installation and civil engineering works on location”.

In 2016, Benjamin obtained his engineering diploma and left GTIE to join a service company. He became the PMO, assigned to the Silvercrest engine at Safran Aircraft Engines. He only stayed there for three and a half months before leaving his job to join Safran Engineering Services: “I needed more responsibility and more independence. The assignment they offered me corresponded to what I wanted”, he explains. So Benjamin became the PMO on the A350-1000 program on behalf of Safran Landing Systems at Vélizy and then at Safran Nacelles on a range of programs (A320, A380, C series, etc.), where he provides integrated logistics support. Finally, he helps with drafting the Medium-Term Plan of the Research and Technology Department at Safran Aircraft Engines.

Since April 2018, Benjamin has been the PMO for a highly ambitious project: the integration of Zodiac Aerospace, bought out by Safran in March 2018. “I help with scheduling and coordinating the different projects conducted within the scope of all areas of action and operations of the company. In a typical week, I can monitor IT, financial, human resources and communication projects with all employees allocated on the Zodiac and Safran side”. What he prefers in his line of work is: “Apart from the exceptional scale of this project, I like the variety of assignments, which gives an overview of the Group strategy. I also like to be able to face and adopt the best practices of the two companies, with their occasionally differing methods and processes. It’s very rewarding”.

Benjamin’s assignment is due to end in 2020. What about afterwards? “I’d like to continue working as a PMO on large-scale projects, and perhaps complete programs such as Patroller, or on a new engine, at Safran Engineering Services or within the Safran group”, he concludes.