An engineering background specialising in materials
Louis discovered Naval Group during his very first internship at the Technical Testing and Research Centre on the site of Cherbourg, as part of his undergraduate diploma in physical measurements specialising in materials and physico-chemical controls. “Born in Cherbourg, I was drawn to the high-tech image of Naval Group’s product line,” he explains. “Satisfied with this experience, I wanted to return for my apprenticeship, which is part of the curriculum at École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs in Caen, where I am currently in my third year, specialising in materials and mechanics.”
Discovering the group, a step at a time
Louis thus joined the masts and launch systems team in the Systems, Equipment and Propulsion Department (SEP) and was involved in an R&D project on an auxiliary submarine warfare system during his first two work-study placement years. “Thanks to this project, I had the opportunity to follow the R&D process from its inception to the feasibility study. Over and above the project’s technical interest, it allowed me to develop project management skills, gather feedback from numerous employees and thereby discover the diversity of the group’s activities and trades.”
Four months in the Middle East
Keen on export and emerging technologies, Louis contacted the Head of the group’s representative office in Abu Dhabi to offer his services as part of his overseas internship. “Naval Group aims to increase its presence in the UAE. A partnership for joint research on additive manufacturing was in the pipeline with Khalifa University. I was taken on at the end of November as a Project Analyst to conduct market research on additive manufacturing. I met with local stakeholders from the sector and assessed their technological maturity with the aim of orienting this collaborative research.”
A rewarding internship
Louis also took part in the Defence Exhibition & Conference IDEX 2023, which was held in Abu Dhabi in February. “This event provided me with an overview of the new technologies and systems presented by major defence and weapons manufacturers, broadening my view of Naval Group and its positioning in the naval defence field.
My internship in the UAE was an amazing professional and human experience! The transition from materials to a business subject has changed my career plans: next autumn, I will be embarking on a master’s degree specialising in Innovation Management and Business Development at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers.