Sandrine is a manufacturing technician, while Aïssata, who joined Pyroalliance on a permanent contract in 2024 after almost six months as a temporary worker within the Group’s teams, looks back on their experiences.
Sandrine : “Can you believe that our career paths are actually quite similar? We have both worked in other sectors, such as the automotive industry, electronics, agri-food…”
Aïssata : “And I already had experience in the aerospace industry.”
Sandrine : “We have both mainly signed our ‘first permanent contract’ at Pyroalliance. In my case, after 25 years of temporary employment.”
Aïssata : “In my case, after 15 years of temporary employment! It is a real reward for me to finally receive recognition for the way I work. I am someone who is very committed to do a good job. I listen to Sandrine’s advice to succeed, an dI tell her when I don’t understand something. Sometimes it takes me a little while to get the hang of things.”
Sandrine : “I would nevertheless add that, beyond the opportunity, it is also a choice that we both made to sign with Pyroalliance, because this company has strong human values, which is why we chose to settle here. Everyone works hand in hand towards the same goal, and this is reflected in our relationships: everyone can talk to everyone, and everyone can learn from everyone.”
Trying Pyroalliance means adopting it! You won't just find a job here, but also a family!
Sandrine : “I have been working as a manufacturing technician at Pyroalliance for almost six years. I am Aïssata’s tuto. To work independently in the workshop, you first need to complete a qualification and authorization period over several months, based on a mentoring system.”
Aïssata : “I joined as a temporary worker just over six months ago, and I have just signed a permanent contract. I am currently being trained by Sandrine to learn how to manufacture certain products.”
Sandrine : “The first and most important thing is to follow the safety instructions because of the presence of pyrotechnic devices. For example, we must always wear our PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), check that the number of people and the maximum quantity of powder in the cells comply with the requirements. We may also be asked to make proposals to improve this documentation, train other operators or technicians, as I am currently doing with Aïssata, or receive training ourselves on new products from qualified experienced personnel.”
Aïssata : “We can then manufacture the products by following the industrial documentation.”
Sandrine : “No, it’s far from being assembly-line work! Every operation requires precision and meticulous attention to detail. You need to be extremely thorough – for example, filing the head of a pin or assembling components with millimeter-level accuracy. Your hands are an extension of your brain, and if you d’on’t think carefully about what you’re doing, you won’t do your job properly.”
Aïssata : “Here, there is no automation. Everything is manufactured by hand and in small batches. The learning phase is in small batches. The learning phase is longer than in other companies where I have worked. During this period, the company invests in you, wich can be a little bit of pressure, actually. And once you feel that you are valued for the way you work and that you cannot easily be replaced, unlike in other industries. You become an essential link in the company. And you start thinking in the company. And you start thinking about your future here in the long term.”
In the morning, I look forward to going to work because I enjoy what I do, and because I also get to see people who will help me develop my skills.
Sandrine : “Not at all. The teams are very diverse and include both men and women. This is also true at management level, since our Workshop Manager is a man. His manager, the Production Manager, is a woman who herself took over the position from a man.”
Sandrine : “Knowing that the products we manufacture will be used on satellites, launchers or defence systems is very motivating!””
Aïssata : “You feel that your work is useful! It also gives you a sense of security because you know that the company is important and that its activities will continue in the long term.”
Employee testimonial with Cédric
[Employee spotlight] Cédric : stepping into a management role at Pyroalliance