ESTACA and Stellantis are strengthening their partnership to help future engineers enter the automotive industry

As the automotive industry undergoes a transformation driven by electrification, software development, embedded systems, and new vehicle architectures, the demand for specific skills is also evolving. This context underscores the importance of preparing students for the roles sought by manufacturers and of providing more experiences that facilitate their transition into the workforce.

Connecting Students with the Industry

From the campus to industrial sites, ESTACA students will gain greater exposure to the operational realities of the automotive sector. Presentations by Stellantis professionals, site visits, industrial projects, and interactions with teams will help students understand how technical decisions are made, how different roles are organized, and what skills are currently in demand within the company.

This close interaction with professionals should also enable students to better understand the diversity of career paths in the automotive industry, identify the roles they might pursue, and gradually test and to gradually align their education with real-world realities.

“Stellantis is delighted to strengthen its ties with ESTACA today. This partnership is an opportunity to enhance Stellantis’s appeal to passionate young engineers and to create opportunities for students, faculty, and Stellantis experts to connect.

In this way, we aim to support students’ employability and career transition by strengthening the ties between academia and industry. ” said Aude Blanc, Director of Human Resources at Stellantis France.

“The evolution of the automotive industry is profoundly transforming engineering roles in this sector. Technical skills remain essential, but they must be applied within increasingly complex and interdisciplinary systems. This partnership strengthens the direct link with the industry and gives our students a concrete understanding of the roles and skills required today and in the future,” says Denis Bertrand, Director of ESTACA.

Strengthening Pathways to Employment

For students, the transition from school to the workplace begins well before their first job offer. Internships, work-study programs, career fairs, and interactions with Stellantis’ HR teams will provide numerous opportunities to explore career paths, identify opportunities, and showcase their skills to recruiters.

In 2025–26, 55 ESTACA students joined Stellantis for an internship, and 5 apprentices are currently with the Group. These experiences allow students to put their knowledge to the test in the real world, better understand companies’ expectations, and gradually refine their career plans, all while taking their first step toward employment. Today, the school has many alumni working at Stellantis.

Developing Skills in Step with Industry Transformations

The evolution of the automotive industry also requires that the skills taught evolve accordingly. Decarbonizing production lines, ensuring industrial sovereignty, mastering strategic technologies, securing supply chains, and developing more fuel-efficient and resilient models are now among the challenges that future engineers will face.

Collaboration with Stellantis teams will enrich ESTACA’Lab’s curriculum, student projects, and research activities by aligning educational content with real-world challenges.

The goal is to give students a broader perspective on the transformation of the industry—from design to production—and to prepare them to participate in the technological and industrial changes that are currently reshaping the automotive sector.

Learn more about our automotive engineering program. Automotive Engineer – ESTACA