MeetMarianne

Customer Training Manager
Airbus Space Academy
France

Meet Marianne

What is your current role and where are you based? How long have you been working at Airbus?

Airbus Faces

I am currently working as a Customer Training Manager at the Airbus Space Academy located in Toulouse. So lucky to have been hired 6 years ago after my engineering end-of-study internship as a safety engineer.

Which products are you working with?

I am working mainly on Earth Observation satellites for the export market. These satellites capture images that help monitor and understand our planet.   

What inspired you to be a part of the aerospace sector?

My passion for space began as a child when I observed Saturn and its magnificent majestic rings from my telescope, in my native region of Alsace. These experiences of astronomical observation sparked a deep curiosity about the universe for me. The passion developed over the years by following the achievements in space exploration. A particularly memorable moment was the landing of Philae on the comet Chury, witnessing this with all its challenges, reinforced my desire to be part of this fascinating sector.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is the interactions I have with diverse customers. Each client brings unique experiences, allowing me to tailor training programmes to ensure the success of their mission.  

Discovering and working with people from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures is truly one of the highlights of my career.

Tell us about one of the most memorable experiences from your career at Airbus. What made it so special and unforgettable?

One of the most memorable experiences was managing a 5-week training session with a team of 20 Peruvians. It was incredibly rewarding to see them develop in their skills during the training. The relationship went beyond the technical aspects and cultural exchanges, the bonds we formed made the experience special.

I can’t wait to live more memorable experiences, supporting a launch would be my ultimate dream.

What is the most important advice you have been given, and what advice would you like to give?

One piece of advice I would like to give is inspired by the great Katherine Johnson, a pioneering mathematician who calculated moon trajectories for the Apollo missions. She said:

Like what you do; then you will do the best.

This resonates with me because enjoyment in your work is key.

What are the benefits of working at Airbus?

Contributing to space missions and technologies provide a strong sense of purpose. Airbus also supports internal initiatives to help employees grow which is inspiring for young employees.

One of the great benefits about working at Airbus is the diversity of roles and the opportunities to explore new horizons. Taking my example, I decided to change from my safety engineer role to my current role as Customer Training Manager to gain more responsibilities and work closely with our customer. I was fully supported and this shift has allowed me to have a direct impact on the customer's experience.

In what way do the values of Airbus relate to your own?

Teamwork value resonates with me because I firmly believe that collaborating with diverse and talented people allows us to combine our strengths and achieve greater results.