Stéphane Cueille

About Stéphane Cueille

Stéphane Cueille is a senior French aerospace executive whose career has been shaped by advanced engineering, industrial leadership, and innovation management. A graduate of École Polytechnique (Class of 1991), he also holds a master’s degree in solid-state physics and a PhD in statistical physics. He joined Snecma in 1998, working on ceramic matrix composite materials. This early role placed him at the center of technologies that are critical to engine performance, durability, and efficiency in aerospace propulsion. He then moved to the French defence procurement agency, the DGA, in 2001, where he held several positions in aeronautical propulsion. In 2005, he was appointed head of the Missile-Space sector within the industrial affairs department, building a profile that combined technical knowledge with exposure to state-industry interfaces. He returned to Snecma in 2008 and held a series of operational leadership roles: quality management for turbine blades in Gennevilliers, repair management for military engines, and later leadership of the industrial excellence center for turbine blades. These assignments strengthened his credibility in high-value manufacturing and complex industrial processes. In May 2013, Cueille was appointed managing director of Aircelle Ltd in the UK, giving him direct responsibility for an international industrial site. In January 2015, he became head of Safran Tech, the group’s research and technology center. In 2016, he was promoted to Senior Executive Vice President, Research, Technology and Innovation, and joined Safran’s Executive Committee. In that role, he helped drive the group’s innovation agenda, including more-electric aircraft concepts, new materials, and environmental performance improvements. In 2021, he was appointed President of Safran Electrical & Power. More recently, Safran named him President of Safran Aircraft Engines, effective February 1, 2025. Overall, Cueille stands out as an executive with a rare blend of scientific training, technological depth, and hands-on leadership across key Safran businesses.