After joining Vallourec Oil & Gas France in September 2023 under a professional training contract, Baptiste quickly found his place on the One R&D Accessories team. Now on a permanent contract, he actively works on developing innovative solutions and providing customer support, while continuing to improve internal tools. We take a look back at his career path, his motivations, and how he sees his profession.
After joining the One R&D Accessories team in Aulnoye, Baptiste was given a ground-up project to develop an automatic drafting tool for accessories designed and manufactured by Vallourec, such as lifting equipment, crossovers, waterbrushings, and more. The aim of this project was to standardize and simplify the creation of technical drawings in order to optimize the work of Tech Sales teams and design engineers.
During this time, Baptiste familiarized himself with the Group’s incredibly dense technical specifications by helping to update and create technical documentation and spreadsheets for the Group’s various accessory divisions around the world. Today, he is continuing to improve this tool, while also taking charge of accessory-related customer design issues. He also takes part in seam and screw tests at the testing station, a unique asset that allows him to directly observe the performance of the solutions he’s developed.
Working at Vallourec has allowed me to develop innovative solutions while collaborating with international teams. The global scale of this work has broadened my experiences and offered me prospects for professional growth.
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Fundamental Physics, Baptiste went on to study engineering at Polytech Lille, specializing in mechanical engineering. His training has given him broad insight into product design, from ideation to recycling.
Before joining Vallourec, Baptiste had the opportunity to explore different sectors through summer jobs and professional internships, during which he also developed solid cross-functional skills such as communication and teamwork.
His internships in research laboratories, notably in Porto working on additive manufacturing, have enabled him to deepen his technical knowledge and hone his analytical skills. This international immersion has also given him an interest in other cultures and languages that serves him well in his day-to-day work with the Group, where he collaborates with One R&D teams all over the world.
Baptiste’s career perfectly embodies the values of the “We are Vallourec” diversity, equity and inclusion program. This program values all differences, focusing on three key aspects: gender, culture and generations. It also demonstrates how the Group creates an inclusive environment and offers opportunities for growth, enabling every employee to realize their professional and personal ambitions.
“What attracted me to Vallourec most of all were the technical qualities of the work environment. Being so close to the test center means I can combine theory and experimentation, an essential asset for an R&D engineer.”
Baptiste also appreciates the company’s international reach, which enables him to interact with colleagues based in Brazil, the United States, Singapore, and Scotland.
The variety of assignments and the atmosphere within his team are the aspects that Baptiste likes best about his job. There is a strong sense of cohesion among his co-workers, as evidenced by the quality time they’ve spent together, whether it’s a fun team building activity or an impromptu barbecue… sometimes disrupted by the fickle northern weather!
According to the young engineer, curiosity and open-mindedness are key qualities for progress in an R&D environment. Working in an open-plan environment fosters discussion and continuous learning.
But what about what comes next? As far as Baptiste is concerned, the future is promising. He hopes to continue honing his skills in his field and broadening his expertise. After that, he plans either to follow an expert career path, or to explore international mobility opportunities.
Outside work, between running, climbing and swimming, Baptiste stays very active. A musician since childhood, he plays several instruments and even composes his own pieces. He is an avid film lover, and hopes one day to build his own projection room—a project that, much like himself, combines passion, technology, and ingenuity.
“With his inquisitive mind and knack for innovation, Baptiste perfectly embodies Vallourec’s One R&D spirit. An inspiring example for all engineers seeking challenges and professional development.”
