Professional Role and Responsibilities
Marc St-Hilaire has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President, Technology & Innovation at CAE Inc., a global leader in simulation technologies and training services primarily for aviation and defense sectors. In this executive capacity, he led the development and global deployment of CAE’s technology vision and strategy, focusing on advancing next-generation flight simulators, including the integration of Unreal Engine for enhanced fidelity and immersive training platforms.
He has been directly involved in technology innovation that supports CAE’s core markets, including military fighter and fast jet training, where he oversaw the launch of advanced systems such as the CAE Medallion MR e-Series Visual System, which supports 4th and 5th generation fighter simulation capabilities and advanced trainer aircraft.
Key Achievements and Initiatives
- During the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Marc St-Hilaire, identified as CTO, spearheaded CAE’s rapid pivot into healthcare technology innovation by leading a team of twelve healthcare engineers to design a ventilator prototype in just 11 days, with plans to produce 10,000 ventilators within three months. Although this was a temporary strategic shift, he clearly articulated that the ventilator business would not be a long-term focus for CAE, emphasizing the company’s core competencies in simulation.
- He played a critical role in CAE's adoption of game engine technology (Unreal Engine) for next-generation simulators, indicating a progressive approach to leveraging commercial off-the-shelf technology to enhance simulation fidelity and training effectiveness, thereby positioning CAE as a pioneer in simulation innovation.
- Marc’s leadership extends to contributions in research and collaborative innovation efforts, including partnerships like that with Tech3Lab to study pilot user experience, demonstrating a focus on human-centered design and user metrics in flight simulation.
Corporate and Industry Impact
- He was a prominent figure in CAE’s corporate communications and industry forums, often representing the company as a keynote speaker or panelist at industry events such as the International Paris Air Show, Aéro Montreal International Aerospace Innovation Forum, and other aerospace innovation conferences.
- His input appears in CAE’s Global Annual Activity and Sustainability Reports, aligning with CAE’s strategic directions toward technological advancement and sustainability.
- In the capacity of CTO and Vice President, Technology & Innovation, Marc oversaw special projects and acted as an expert advisor to senior leadership, supporting CAE’s long-term technology roadmaps within a complex, highly regulated aerospace and defense environment.
Educational and Professional Background
- Marc holds an MBA in Business Administration from HEC Montréal, complementing his extensive technical and leadership expertise.
- Prior to retirement, he accumulated over 40 years of professional experience, including 18 years at CAE, indicating deep institutional knowledge and long-term commitment to the company’s innovation strategy.
Recent Status and Transition
- As of mid-2023 to early 2024, Marc St-Hilaire announced his retirement, concluding a distinguished career at CAE. He previously held the CTO and Vice President roles, overseeing technology and innovation initiatives up to this point.
Location and Contact
- Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Marc was a key local and global technology leader for CAE, a Montreal-headquartered multinational.
This profile encapsulates Marc St-Hilaire’s technical leadership, strategic innovation influence, and critical project management within CAE, illustrating a profile of a senior executive instrumental in driving technological transformations in advanced simulation and training systems. His expertise spans aerospace simulation, defense training technologies, and emergency healthcare product development under crisis conditions, all underscored by collaborative innovation and engagement with industry-wide forums.
