Discover People at Soitec

After starting my career in the army, I went back to school and then turned to service companies in the region, where I mainly carried out assignments for HP. These focused on network equipment, infrastructure, Data Centers, and project management. Wanting to grow and discover a new environment, I joined Soitec almost seven years ago within the NetSec (Network and Security) team as a network infrastructure and cybersecurity engineer.

At the heart of networks and security
Within the NetSec team, we manage both internal and external network infrastructures: from our Data Centers to the Cloud, from user workstations to cleanroom tools, as well as related services such as cybersecurity. Our scope is very broad, ranging from a simple network socket to servers. It’s a constantly evolving environment, with new projects regularly enriching our activity.

Requests are sometimes unexpected, whether it’s unusual equipment to connect or non-standard uses to secure, and this forces us to be both reactive and inventive. We work with many stakeholders, particularly the Facilities teams to install fiber throughout the site, and we currently manage three Data Centers. This variety—combining technical challenges with collaboration across multiple departments—is what makes the job particularly stimulating.

An atypical community commitment, rooted in local heritage
At the same time, I am president of a rather unusual association, linked to an old water network that supplies about twenty houses in Froges and Champ-près-Froges. This network works thanks to a real dam on the torrent of Les Adrets, with an old (over a century-old!) system that we maintain collectively. This water does not feed into the domestic supply; it is used, for example, to water gardens. For some residents, it is truly precious.

I learned about this association when I bought my house. Since then, I have taken over the presidency and also handle the accounts. Each homeowner pays an annual fee, which allows us to purchase equipment and fund repairs. Sometimes we need to purge the tank, clear leaves after storms, or unblock pipes: it’s a very local, very hands-on commitment. Four or five of us co-owners intervene regularly, and once or twice a year we organize full cleaning days. What I value most is seeing that this system, which is over 150 years old, is still functioning. It is part of the local heritage and creates a real bond among residents.

This experience is not so far removed from my professional life: in both cases, it’s about managing infrastructure, being reactive when problems arise, and coordinating several stakeholders.

One highlight that comes back regularly is going down into the tank to purge it. You find yourself in the dark, in the cold, in the mud, shovel in hand. I especially remember one day when I was digging under a road, two meters underground, while cars passed just above. It’s unusual, but that’s also what volunteering is about: intense experiences you never forget.

Another side of my personality?
For me, we are all chameleons, each with our own palette of colors. I can go from geek to karateka, from bricklayer to chicken breeder! But there are certain activities particularly close to my heart. I especially love traveling, and three years ago I had the chance to discover Japan, a country that naturally resonates with my passion for martial arts, which I have practiced since the age of 13.