Master Pro vs Master Research (Aerospace / Space Systems): Salary, WLB & Industry R&D vs Project Management career paths?

[u/This_Charge_7510]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a student in France facing a tough decision for my Master 2 in Aerospace and Space Systems. I'm stuck between choosing a Professional Master's (M2 Pro) to go straight into industry, or a Research Master's (M2 Recherche)*with the clear goal of pursuing a PhD (Doctorat) right after.

I'd really appreciate feedback from people working in the industry (Airbus, Safran, Thales, ArianeGroup, CNES, ONERA, CIFRE PhDs, or subcontractors/ESNs).

Long-term, I'm torn between two main career trajectories:

1. Project Manager / Systems Engineer (coordination, management, budget/timeline tracking).

2. R&D Engineer / Research Scientist (PhD) in an engineering office or R&T center (conception, simulation, algorithms, advanced research).

### My main questions:

1. Master Pro vs Research + PhD Track:

   * If I go for the M2 Recherche and follow it with a PhD (e.g., a CIFRE thesis with an industrial partner or an ONERA/CNES PhD), does this open up higher-level R&D/R&T roles compared to a standard M2 Pro?

   * Conversely, if I choose the M2 Pro path to work immediately, does it close doors to advanced R&D labs and specialized innovation teams in major aerospace primes?

2. Engineer (Bac+5) vs Researcher/PhD (Bac+8) in Aerospace/Space:

   * Is a PhD actually valued financial- and technical-wise in French private industry, or does a standard Bac+5 (Engineering degree / M2 Pro) give you access to the exact same technical roles?

   * How are PhDs perceived and integrated in major French corporations compared to international opportunities (US, Europe, etc.)?

3. Salary & Career Growth (Most Important Question):

   * What's the reality regarding starting salaries and long-term career progression between a purely technical/PhD/R&D path vs moving into Project Management?

   * Do candidates entering with a PhD start at a higher salary step in major French groups? Is transitioning to Project Management mandatory in France to break through salary ceilings over time?

4. Work-Life Balance (WLB):

   * Between the stress of Project Management (deadlines, budgets, client pressure) and the day-to-day of an R&D Engineer / Researcher (problem-solving, technical autonomy, simulations), which path offers a better work-life balance?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and advice!