“Zoom on”: Interview with Hippolyte Malgrain ( Ch 221), VIE, HEF Group

Details: Published: 04 June 2026

AFAM: Hello Hippolyte and thank you for agreeing to answer our questions. You are currently located in Boston and doing a business development job for HEF Group. Could you please tell us a few words about your current job and about the company you work for?

Hippolyte: Hi everyone, I’m currently driving business growth for HEF Group in the US, based out of Boston. This implies getting to know our facilities and the commercial team in the US, learning about the already existing markets, and hunting for new opportunities on new strategic markets.

Very quickly, HEF brings two things to the table: scientific expertise in surface engineering and the ability to scale processes from the lab to industrial production worldwide.

AFAM: what was the road that led you to your current VIE position at HEF Group? Why do you think you were the best candidate for this position?

Hippolyte: I did all my studying years in France and had the opportunity to go to Mexico for my last term internship. I feel my experience there really convinced me that it’s also by working in different environments that you get a sense of what today’s challenges are.

I believe also that having an academic experience in a material sciences CNRS lab at ESPCI and an industrial experience abroad in a tier 1 supplier for the automotive industry really helped me on the road to my VIE.

I’m not sure whether it’s about being “the best” in general or simply about being well-suited to adapt quickly in a new culture. I was particularly interested in understanding what business development looks like in the US. Since HEF Group is a highly technical company, they tend to hire technical profiles to support their sales, which aligns well with my background.

AFAM: what do you enjoy the most about your current role? What is or was the most challenging for you?

Hippolyte: The best thing about my job is the people I meet. I talk with engineers from multiple different industries, mostly from OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and I get to have a sense of what are today’s next challenges in tech, robotics, aeronautics etc.

To be very honest, a big part of my job is prospection, and that’s the most challenging for me.

AFAM: how did being a Gadz’Arts help you in your professional journey?

Hippolyte: It helped so much! To start with, this VIE opportunity came out of a discussion with a Gadzarts who’s working at my current company.

Apart from that, and more generally, I can share that in every discussion I’ve had about Gadz’Arts, our reputation is always very strong. It’s not just about performance, but also about social skills and the way to operate with others. I feel like this helps a lot to initiate contacts.

AFAM: you live in Boston. What do you do when you are not working? Any activities you enjoy doing? How do you like the city of Boston?

Hippolyte: My hobbies are mostly sports, so I play soccer and tennis with friends. Boston is a great city where you can find a balance between the hustle of a big city and the tranquility of a place where you can settle down and spend quality time. That’s what I love about Boston.

AFAM: what advice would you give to Arts et Metiers students looking for internships in the United States or willing to start their internship search?

Hippolyte: I think it’s always the same advice but still, define what’s important for you in the next 2 years. It might be a scientific expertise, the willingness to discover an industry in a new country… Don’t underestimate speaking fluently several languages, it’s one of your biggest strengths and assets.

Reach out to your network at SOCE. Don’t hesitate to send an email or post a few lines about your profile and what you’re looking for.

AFAM: anything you would like to share with us about your future plans?
Hippolyte: My focus is on the actual mission, we’ll see what opportunities come up at the end of my VIE. If any of you stop by Boston, let’s have a drink.

AFAM: Thank you Hippolyte.

If you are an Arts et Metiers student looking for an internship, please join our Shasta program to get some support. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for know more about the program.