Jean Botti

CEO and CTO, VoltAero

Jean Botti is the CEO and CTO of VoltAero SA and also the Co-Founder. He was formerly Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Philips NV and and previously the Chief Technical Officer at Airbus Group.

Botti began his career at Renault in 1978 before joining the Chassis Engineering division of General Motors in the U.S. in 1989. Upon his return to France in 1992, Botti was appointed General Motors’ Director of European Engineering for chassis components. In 1997, he returned to the U.S. to take over the reins of the Delphi Corporation’s Customer Solution Center, a position he held until 2002.

From 2002 to 2004, he managed Delphi’s new corporate Dynamics, Propulsion and Thermal Innovation Center as Chief Technical Officer. He rounded out his time at Delphi as the Business Line Executive for the Powertrain product line, before joining Airbus Group in 2006.

As of 2021, Botti holds 31 patents and four defensive publications for the work carried out over the course of his career, and was elected as a Delphi Hall of Fame fellow. He also received the General Motors President’s Council Award in 1998, and was named a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

During his time with Airbus Group, he pushed the Group forward on the path of innovation in various areas and through many initiatives. Botti’s perhaps best-known initiative, the E-Fan all-electric aircraft, is a pioneering project for which he has received many international awards – including the prestigious “Pro Pilot Award” for the “Best Aviation Technical Development of the Year 2015” at the 13th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Los Angeles.

Botti has been involved with a number of research organizations. Since 2014, he has been serving as a Senator of the Acatech German Academy of Science and Engineering, advising the institution on strategic matters. In 2013, Botti joined the French National Air and Space Academy. He became a member of the National Academy of Technologies of France in 2011, where he provided important insights into new technologies – in particular to the Energy Committee – and was an active contributor to Academy reports promoting technology in training programs.

Botti also served with the European Research Area Board (ERAB) as the representative for aeronautics and space. In addition, he served as a member of the Federation of German Industries’ (BDI) Technical Committee.

During his time with Airbus Group, he pushed the Group forward on the path of innovation in various areas and through many initiatives. Botti’s perhaps best-known initiative, the E-Fan all-electric aircraft, is a pioneering project for which he has received many international awards – most recently being bestowed with the prestigious “Pro Pilot Award” for the “Best Aviation Technical Development of the Year 2015” at the 13th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Los Angeles. In 2016, he received the Medal of Honor from the French Civil Aviation Organization (DGAC). He is also a recipient of the French Legion d’Honneur (Chevalier).

Botti holds degrees from the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); and MBA from Central Michigan University; a PhD from the National Conservatory of Arts & Trades (CNAM); and honorary degrees from Cardiff University, Bath University and the University of South Alabama.

Sessions

AAM Certification in 2025: Realistic or Not
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
11:30 – 12:30