Hear from Olivier Finiel, YGT for Launch System Engineering

Tell us a little about yourself
I am a 28-year-old engineer and I graduated in 2018 from an advanced Master in Space System Engineering at ISAE-SUPAÉRO. After a final internship at the Launcher Directorate at CNES and almost two years in ArianeGroup, I am now a Young Graduate Trainee in the LSA (Launch System Architect) department of the Space Transportation Directorate at ESA.

What encouraged you to apply to become an ESA YGT?
I knew the YGT Programme as I applied during my studies. I was already working on the Ariane 6 launcher in ArianeGroup, but I wanted to focus my career on mission analysis for launchers. During my job research I saw this YGT opportunity at ESA which perfectly fit my career aspirations, so I applied.

What does your role at ESA entail?
I am mainly working on mission analysis for future Ariane 6 launchs, but I am also involved in Ariane 6 Combined Tests which will be soon conducted in French Guiana. Apart from that I conducted Early Combined Tests for a Helium subsystem in Grenoble, France.

What is working at ESA like, for you?
It is very inspiring to work at ESA! I have made contacts with industries and national agencies, my ESA colleagues are very skilled and I learn a lot with them. Also, ESA gathers high class specialists in various field and it is rewarding to work and talk with them.

Which ESA establishment are you located at?
I am in the Space Transportation Directorate (STS) in Paris. The offices are nice and ESA cares about staff health, having taken care to improve teleworking capabilities since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, Paris is a beautiful city to live and work in and I really enjoy it.

What is your best memory so far as a YGT?
My best memory as a YGT was when I conducted Early Combined Tests (ECT) in Grenoble. I was the only ESA representative there and, while stressful, it was rewarding to have such experience and responsibility.

What has been the biggest challenge for you?
For me the biggest challenge is to have a coherent Ariane 6 mission analysis model with a reduced number of inputs and a tool that was not already used in my ESA directorate.

What advice do you have for future YGT applicants?
I have several pieces of advice, but here are three of them:

• If you apply to the YGT Programme and are not selected in that campaign, try the next one. I know people who tried three or four times before getting hired!
• Keep checking the ESA career website or set up an alert. YGT positions are released every year in February but some are released later (mine was published in August).
• Target the YGT you want but also the one you are most suited to in terms of your skills.

Hear from YGTs

Want to learn more about the work ESA YGTs are doing today? Keep reading about other YGTs and their exciting projects in this two-part article (part one and part two).

How do I apply for a YGT opportunity?

1. Explore our Young Graduate Trainee opportunities here.
2. Select the one opportunity that genuinely interests you and fits best with your educational background. Due to the high number of applications received each year, we can only accept a maximum of two applications per person. Should you apply to more vacancies, all your applications will be disregarded. If your profile is of interest for another position, we will share it with the hiring manager.
3. Register and create your candidate profile with your CV and motivation letter.
4. Apply! You will be able to track the status of your application throughout the process.

Learn more about the YGT Programme.