THE AVIO AERO

PEOPLE’S MAGAZINE

Today, technical innovation can even transform the DNA of production environments, which bring to mind a more traditional industry (such as a foundry for example) in the common imagination. Just recently, we told the story of how Avio Aero in Borgaretto was able to revolutionize several production processes that had been in place for over a century, adopting 3D printing and moving towards a sustainable foundry.

The spirit of innovation made this possible, while the spark that let it transform from the theoretical to concrete is the undeniable result of the brilliance of the team of professionals who realized the new process. Men and women from different backgrounds, experiences, vocations and knowledge, brought together for a common purpose. 

Indeed, Jenny Mauguen is a part of that team: French by birth, Italian by adoption and Japanese by fascination, she is the Process Manufacturing Engineer at the Borgaretto plant: "There's a word in French, 'emerveillement', which can be translated as 'wonder': in my opinion the important thing is never to stop feeling wonder, every day, in your work." 

Jenny, what do you do in Avio Aero?

"I oversee the progress of the production processes, specifically the aluminum and magnesium smelting and casting processes, and of the quality of the sand cores (the molds for casting, ed.) which are produced using the new 3D printing technology. We use performance coefficients and, through the continuous training of operators, I have to make sure that the production process is carried out correctly and according to know-how. In addition to this, I am constantly looking for new control methods to implement and improve production processes, with the continued aim of facilitating the overall work and ensuring the quality of the final product."

Tell us about your educational and professional background...

"I joined Avio Aero for a 6-month internship in the manufacturing area, today marks 2 years with the company! I grew up in a family with a natural predisposition for science and creativity, I always had the space and freedom to choose what to do and become. At first I wanted to be an architect, but then I got passionate about the idea of becoming a pilot or mechanical engineer: I have always been fascinated by planes and the technology with which they are built. Today, to find myself creating 3D cores like sandcastles, learning how an alloy can respond to certain mechanical characteristics, depending on its chemical composition and metallurgical structure, is really a great satisfaction. I studied in France, after the scientific high school diploma I did 3 years of studies in what in France we call the 'preparatory class' - a specific and highly demanding teaching path, preparation for enrolment in the best public and private engineering schools. In 2013, I started ENSMM in Besançon, the national school of microtechnology and mechanics, an institute which trains engineers in the field of luxury watchmaking. I had the opportunity to attain a dual degree abroad. I initially thought about going to Tokyo. But then, my mum is a great fan of Italy and I wanted to stay close to family and friends, so I chose to do the Erasmus Plus program at the Politecnico di Torino. There, I attended the Master's degree course in Mechanical Engineering in English, and lastly I followed up with 6 months of research in the Department of Technology and Materials Science, where I did my Master's thesis on the properties of aluminum foam." 

Who has inspired and guided you along your educational/professional path?

"Both my parents were an inspiration. My mother, a math teacher, feminist and proud of her math studies, and my father with his work in the Air Force, have always encouraged me to have the curiosity to learn something different. They have always motivated me and given me every opportunity to go out into the world and discover different realities. My father made me skydive at the age of 14 and motivated me to take a few hours of DR400 pilot training, although the license remains a dream still to be realized. And 10 years of karate have taught me the patience, rigor and precision which are key elements in my work" 

What is the best about your work?

"The energy of my work, the collaboration with the team and discussion with suppliers allow me to learn new things every day, and so the days fly by."

"Unfortunately, many girls set limits without realizing it, and I would like to tell them to try before thinking it's too difficult, too long or too 'masculine'... I did it and I wasn't first in the class!"

At work, what is a phrase that you don't like to hear and what is one that you often repeat?

"The phrase I prefer to use and hear myself say is 'Good job!' But also 'Thank you, your work has been very useful'...  On the other hand, what I like the least  - as a woman who works in a still very masculine world - is if they remind me that I am a woman, that maybe I need help or that I am certainly less experienced than a male colleague... As a foreigner, every day I realize that my expressive capacity is not the same as in French. So I pay a lot of attention to words because one wrong word in the workplace or in life in general can change a lot of dynamics." 

What advice do you have for a young female student who wants to explore a career in STEM?

"Choose the path that seems most difficult to you, it will be the choice that will make you grow the most. In a world like ours that offers so many opportunities, you just have to be able to seize them. Unfortunately, many girls set limits without realizing it, and I would like to tell them to try before thinking it's too difficult, too long or too 'masculine'... I did it and I wasn't first in the class!"

Can you tell us a passion that your colleagues wouldn’t expect from you?

“They already know I'm in love with my work and Italian culture... well then, I could confess that I'm a nerd fan of Japanese manga and anime. It's a culture that I like, it intrigues me and that's why I initially thought of going to Tokyo to get my dual degree abroad!"