Automation engineer

After having received my diploma in electronic systems from a technical school, I got a job at a company that, unfortunately, went out of business eight years ago. When I was looking for work, I sent an unsolicited application to Papeteries de Clairefontaine. My professional profile met their requirements, and I started working here as an Automation Engineer seven years ago. My job includes machine design, improvements and repair functions.

In a typical day, I look at the reports from the night shift and schedule any necessary work based on what happened. If there is nothing urgent, I resume my daily work, which often involves making improvements. But there isn’t really any routine in this job: the tasks can change very quickly.

My biggest challenges are above all the design and improvement of the machines. You have to take time to think things over and do preliminary studies to determine the best solutions to implement. One of the projects that I am most proud of is the modernisation work we did on the cutting systems in the finishing room. We had to integrate new machines in a switching system–much like railways–while determining extremely precise operating rules.

In this trade, if I had to give any advice to young recruits, it would be to remain calm and keep everything in perspective so that you can properly assess the situation. You have to take some time to analyse all the parameters, and not just jump into the repair work willy-nilly. You should always keep in mind that for every problem, there’s a solution!