Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
Latitude is a French aerospace company shaping the future of European space access with its Launch Vehicle- a 19-meter, two-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 200 kg to Low Earth Orbit. By designing, building, and testing all systems in France, including the Ground Systems, Latitude develops a fully integrated launch solution to provide agile, reliable, and cost-effective orbital services to Low Earth Orbit.
Systems Engineer (and acting project manager during Phase A) in the frame of the development of the Ariane 6 Launcher Vulcain Aft Bay Block 2 configuration. Ariane 6 Block 2 is an upgraded version that will enhance the Launcher performance and its financial competitiveness. The optimisation of the Vulcain Aft Bay is a key success factor to achieve this goal. The programme started with Phase A development studies executed in close cooperation with ArianeGroup. The objective was to determine the most performance and cost effective architecture of the Block 2 version of the Vulcain Aft Bay. The phase was complete with the selection of the concept and the release of the proposal to the Customer. During this phase I elaborated with the support of a highly skilled team of engineers and specialists the technical description of the Product as well as the development plan in close cooperation with the assembly and integration team. The project execution was running and was close to the completion of its preliminary design phase (also known as PMG5 phase) when I left. The objective was to find the most mass and cost effective design that will deliver the most value for the customer.
Acting project manager in the frame of a technology development programme in the field of Launcher Structures. The programme entailed the development of a carbon Engine Frame technology for micro-launchers application using Automated Fibre Placement technology and an innovative simulation based product development approach. Activities in my role include project planning phase preparation, scope management, cost control, schedule control, logistics aspects coordination, Risks Management.
Ariane 6 is the next generation Launcher that will guarantee Europe independent access to space. Ariane 6 is developed by ArianeGroup (Prime Contractor). Airbus Netherlands as a partner is responsible for developing, qualifying and producing the Vulcain Aft Bay (lower stage engine frame) as well as the Vinci Thrust Frame (upper stage engine frame). As a Systems Engineer and design leader for the Vulcain Aft Bay (VUAB) my duties entailed managing a team of highly skilled mechanical engineers and designers as well as being the technical focal point during the Product development activities up to supporting the production and delivery of the first test articles and flight models. The programme started mid 2015 with conceptual studies and concept trade-offs in partnership with ArianeGroup. A fast development pace delivered the first VUAB test article (full scale test model for hot firing testing in Kourou, French Guiana) in 2019. The first flight model was delivered to ArianeGroup in 2020. My support to the project continued up until the completion of the development activities in 2022 with the final qualification of the Product.
Mechanical Architect in the frame of the Solar Orbiter satellite development. Solar Orbiter embarked scientific instruments. It orbits the Sun since it was launched in 2020 aboard an Atlas V launcher. My mission within the project team entailed being the technical focal point for the development of the platform structure within the system team (Airbus U.K. was Prime contractor for the mission) and the suppliers. Some of my duties included specification management, platform mechanical performance (with support from mechanical engineering team), interface management (with the many subsystems), subcontract management (structures detailed design and production was subcontracted), acting as technical focal point and providing support to other subsystems for mechanical aspects.
Lead Mechanical analyst for the Bepi Colombo satellite. The probe is part of a joint European Space Agency and JAXA mission and is bound to Mercury after lifting aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle in 2018 (scheduled arrival date in 2025 for beginning of operations). The satellite consists of a stack of 3 modules: the STM (the electric propulsion module), the MPO (the European module) and the MMO (the Japanese module). My participation in the programme started just before the System Preliminary Design Review (PDR) up until the Phase D for which I momentarily supported the qualification campaign of the structural test model (sine sweep vibration tests on shaker table). My main duties entailed integrating and maintaining the FEM model of the Bepi stack model, running dynamic predictions, running test predictions, preparing the test instrumentation, supporting the elaboration of the technical specifications of the modules, participating in reviews (system and subsystems). For a short while I supported the qualification test campaign of the SWARM satellite (dynamic test campaign) at IABG test facility.
Mechanical Engineer in the aviation industry. Participation to the developments of several primary structures such as: A400M: composite cockpit floor (on-site Airbus) F7X: central engine air duct (on-site Latecoere for metallic section and Aircelle for composite rear section) A340-600/500: centre fuselage and floor (on-site SOGERMA) A340-600: Keel beam (Airbus) A380: Dummy landing gears (Latecis) Duties entailed FEM modelling and analyses, application of industry standard hand-calcs, tools development (VBA, C++, SHELL scripting), leading teams of highly skilled mechanical engineers.