The day-to-day work of an Account Executive at Safran is highly dynamic, balancing strategic planning with active client management. You will act as the business owner for your assigned accounts, taking full responsibility for revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and long-term partnership health.

Your primary focus will be on identifying new commercial opportunities within existing accounts and prospecting for new partnerships across airlines, OEMs, and defense contractors. This involves spending significant time analyzing market trends, monitoring competitor movements, and mapping client organizations to identify key decision-makers. You will regularly lead high-level presentations and host client visits at Safran's advanced manufacturing facilities.

In addition to external sales activities, a substantial portion of your time will be spent on internal coordination. You will lead cross-functional bid teams consisting of engineers, finance analysts, and legal experts to construct highly detailed, compliant proposals. You will also play a key role in the sales and operations planning (S&OP) process, providing accurate demand forecasts to ensure production facilities can meet your clients' delivery schedules.

To be competitive for the Account Executive position at Safran, you must possess a strong blend of commercial experience and technical aptitude.

Required Skills & Experience

• B2B Sales Experience – A proven track record of managing complex, high-value B2B sales cycles, preferably within aerospace, defense, automotive, or heavy engineering sectors.
• Contract Negotiation – Strong experience in structuring, negotiating, and closing complex commercial agreements with multi-layered legal and financial implications.
• Language Proficiency – High fluency in English (both written and spoken) is mandatory, as it is the global language of aviation. Local language skills may also be required depending on the specific region.
• Relationship Management – Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with executive stakeholders, procurement heads, and technical directors.

Educational & Technical Background

• Must-have qualifications – A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Engineering, International Trade, or a closely related field.
• Nice-to-have skills – Familiarity with aviation regulations (such as EASA or FAA standards), experience using advanced CRM platforms, and formal negotiation training (e.g., Harvard Negotiation Method).

Q: How long does the hiring process typically take for an Account Executive? A: The process can be quite lengthy, often taking between 4 to 12 weeks from the initial HR screen to the final offer. This is due to the thoroughness of the evaluations and the need to align multiple senior stakeholders.

Q: What is the format of the personality and English tests? A: The English test is highly structured and focuses heavily on formal grammar, business vocabulary, and comprehension. The personality test is designed to assess your working style, communication preferences, and resilience in high-pressure commercial environments.

Q: Is prior aerospace experience strictly required for this role? A: While prior aerospace or defense experience is highly valued, candidates with strong backgrounds in other highly engineered, long-cycle B2B industries (such as energy, automotive, or industrial machinery) are frequently successful if they demonstrate strong technical learning agility.

Q: What is the balance between remote and onsite work? A: Safran typically supports a hybrid working model, but as an Account Executive, you should expect frequent travel to client sites, manufacturing facilities, and corporate offices to host meetings and negotiate deals in person.

To maximize your chances of success during the Safran interview process, keep these practical tips in mind.

Prepare a highly structured CV walkthrough: During your HR and manager interviews, you will be expected to explain every step of your career. Ensure you can clearly link each past role to the specific commercial and relationship-management skills required for this position.

Brush up on aerospace industry trends: Show that you are genuinely interested in the sector by researching Safran's latest innovations, such as their developments in sustainable aviation fuels, hybrid propulsion, and carbon-reduction initiatives.

Master the STAR method for behavioral questions: When describing your achievements or how you handled difficult situations, structure your answers clearly: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Focus heavily on the quantifiable business outcomes of your actions.

Securing an Account Executive role at Safran is an exceptional career milestone that positions you at the center of global aviation innovation. The role offers the chance to manage highly sophisticated commercial portfolios, collaborate with world-class engineers, and drive partnerships that have a lasting impact on how the world connects.

To succeed in the interview process, focus your preparation on demonstrating deep commercial acumen, a structured approach to contract negotiations, and the resilience required to navigate complex organizational structures. Approach every step of the process—from the initial academic tests to the final manager discussions—with the same level of professionalism, preparation, and strategic thinking that you would bring to a high-value client meeting.

For more detailed preparation resources, real interview insights, and community-driven advice, you can explore additional tools on Dataford to ensure you are fully prepared for every stage of your journey.

The compensation data reflects the competitive positioning of Safran within the aerospace and defense sector. When reviewing these figures, consider that total compensation often includes performance-based incentives linked to sales targets and contract milestones. Use this data to ground your salary expectations during the final HR discussions, ensuring your proposals are realistic and aligned with current market rates for high-performing commercial professionals.