Design Office

The missions of the design engineer

The design engineer's role in the nautical industry combines technical precision and passion, blending creative engineering with teamwork. The design engineer draws and designs the fibreglass components that make up the boat: hull, deck, roof, interior fittings. He/she is involved from the very beginning of the project through to the production of the first boats, before handing over the plans to the factory so that serial production can begin. Each designed part must be verified on the ground, notably by checking that the manufacturing moulds match the drawings produced.

Ever since I was little, I used to draw parts, and seeing the products I design come to life is really something. Drawing boats rather than anything else — it's fun. It's completely a job for passionate people.

Design engineer

On a daily basis, the design engineer divides his/her time between the computer workstation, where he/she models components using computer-aided design software, and the workshop floor, where he/she checks the conformity of moulds and manufactured parts. He/she primarily uses CATIA software for part design, along with a nomenclature file listing all the parts of a boat. He/she works closely with colleagues in the design office and production teams, as every technical challenge is solved collectively.

The key qualities required for this profession are rigour, patience, ingenuity, logical thinking and a genuine enjoyment of teamwork.

Initial training and apprenticeship

Several training pathways lead to the design engineer profession. A BTS Conception de Produits Industriels (CPI) or a BTS Systèmes Constructifs Bois et Habitat provide a good starting point (level Bac+2). For those aiming directly at a design role, a BUT Génie Mécanique et Productique, a Licence Professionnelle Conception Mécanique et Systèmes Embarqués or an engineering degree in naval architecture or mechanical engineering (level Bac+5) are particularly valued by recruiters. Proficiency in CAD software such as CATIA or SolidWorks is essential.

These programmes are available as initial training or apprenticeships, through a contrat d'apprentissage (ages 16 to 30) or a contrat de professionnalisation (from age 16, no upper age limit). They are eligible for CPF funding.

Career change

The design engineer profession is accessible to career changers with experience in industrial drawing, mechanical design or production. Continuing education programmes specialising in CAD/CAM, industrial product design or mechanical engineering are offered by organisations such as AFPA, CNAM or engineering schools with continuing education programmes. They can be funded by France Travail, OPCOs or through a Projet de Transition Professionnelle (CPF de transition).

Career development

After several years of experience, the design engineer can progress to roles such as head of design office, technical manager or design director, supervising a team of designers and overseeing the entire technical development of a project. Further training towards a Master Génie Mécanique, a Master in Naval Architecture or a specialised engineering degree (level Bac+5) opens the door to expert or senior management positions within large nautical groups.