Camille repair technician at Thales: "The solidarity between colleagues is incredible and there is a strong culture of knowledge sharing"

Camille, tell us about your career journey.

My career path has been atypical. I initially worked in luxury fashion, but I was drawn to traditional craftsmanship and decided to specialise in watchmaking.

I earned a Certificate of Professional Qualification in Fine Watchmaking, focusing on complex mechanical repairs. This required precision, patience, and technical expertise especially when working on chronometers with automatic systems.

However, with the Swiss watch industry downturn, job opportunities became scarce. That’s when I received a call from a temp agency about a role at Thales, repairing avionics equipment. It was an unexpected shift, but one that perfectly matched my technical skills and attention to detail.

What does your role at Thales involve?

At the Thales Customer Support Center (CSC), I repair emergency avionics equipment. My work involves:

• Diagnosing failures and defining necessary repairs
• Performing repairs and testing to ensure compliance with quality and safety regulations
• Collaborating with colleagues to maintain high standards of technical excellence

Beyond my core tasks, I also engage with teams across quality assurance, supply chain, lean management, and customer service to ensure smooth operations.

How would you describe the work environment at CSC?

The solidarity among colleagues is incredible. There is a strong culture of knowledge-sharing, where newcomers receive guidance and practical training to become fully autonomous in fault detection, analysis, and repairs.

From my first day, an experienced expert mentored me, helping me refine my techniques and troubleshooting skills.

Are there similarities between luxury watchmaking and avionics repair?

Absolutely! In watchmaking, I worked on tiny, intricate mechanisms where even a speck of dust could affect performance. That same precision and attention to detail apply to avionics equipment.

Although the scale is different, both fields require:

• Meticulous precision in assembly and adjustment
• A deep understanding of mechanical and electronic systems
• Speed, accuracy, and cleanliness

The biggest difference? In watchmaking, I repaired timepieces for individuals. At Thales, I work on critical avionics systems that ensure the safety of hundreds of passengers on each flight.

What were you doing in the photo above?

I was conducting functional tests on an avionics system called the Horizon. This system provides pilots with the aircraft’s position relative to terrestrial gravity.

During testing, I:

• Simulated different flight angles to measure system drift
• Verified alignment and calibration to ensure accurate data output
• Adjusted the system until results were within acceptable tolerance levels

For example, if an aircraft is at a 50-degree nose-up position, my equipment must accurately relay this information to the pilot. Any deviation could impact flight safety.

From luxury watches to avionics, Camille’s expertise in precision mechanics ensures the safety and reliability of Thales’ critical flight systems. Her journey highlights the transferable skills between industries and the importance of meticulous craftsmanship in aviation.