[PORTRAIT] FLORIAN, HYBRID SIMULATION ENGINEER

Florian, a graduate from the engineering school ENSA, joined Naval Group in 2020 as a Functional System Integrator in the Simulation and Digital Twin Service on the site of Saint-Tropez.

What does your job involve?

My job consists in preparing for firing at sea and qualifying self-guiding software for autonomous underwater vehicles. The tests consist in simulating the environment to test the reactions of the decision-making autonomy software. These tests are performed in conditions very close to those in real life for firing from a submarine.

How do you prepare for firing at sea?

To prepare for firing at sea, we start out by proceeding with various stages of simulation. This phase allows us to highlight potential blocking points and correct these to increase the probability of successful firing. Firstly, once the scenario is validated by the digital simulation team, firing is exclusively computer-controlled. It contributes to validate the established scenario and identifying potential difficulties. This simulation then takes on a hybrid form, that is to say, we combine physical simulations on sections of the machine and digital simulations. This provides a more realistic picture of the form firing at sea is likely to take thanks to the actual equipment at its disposal, such as the sonar. The integration platform stage comes next and consists in checking that all the system sections communicate correctly with each other and that the vehicle can be fired.

Once this test firing at sea has been performed and the system recovered, the teams analyse the data recorded by all the stakeholders involved in the trials with the aim of validating this data. Hold points are organised at each stage allowing teams to discuss potential hurdles and check the successful progress of simulations. Numerous digital and hybrid simulations need to be performed for firing at sea. This helps ensure that the odds of a successful firing are in our favour.

Which aspects of your work do you enjoy in particular?

My role is multidisciplinary and leads me to work with other teams, offering me the opportunity to learn more every day. Each firing is different with new aspects to consider every time given their specific characteristics and scenarios. It is also a highly cross-functional role. The size of the Naval Group site of Saint-Tropez enables me to observe certain projects and lead others.

Furthermore, the work environment is really great! I'm also a reservist and given that Naval Group encourages and promotes reservist activities, I take pride in being able to combine this role with my work in the company. As a part of the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (RAMa) for the past two years, the military reserve allows me to enjoy a civilian life while engaging in periods of military activity when required.