SHERPA Engineering
SHERPA Engineering is a French engineering firm providing Model-Based Design, multi-physical modelling, control-command and embedded software solutions for complex intelligent systems, serving automotive, energy, agricultural robotics and industrial clients across Europe and MENA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersNanterre, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SHERPA Engineering does
SHERPA Engineering is a privately held French engineering firm (Société Anonyme, founded 1997, headquartered in Nanterre with offices in Clermont-Ferrand, Nantes and Tunis via the MENA subsidiary) specialising in Model-Based Design (MBD) for complex intelligent systems that combine physical components with extensive control-command functions. Its technology stack rests on multi-physical modelling based on the Bond-Graph method, Model-Based Predictive Control design, automatic code generation and traceability compliant with functional-safety standards such as ISO 26262. Proprietary software assets include the PhiSim modelling library (with FMU generation and GUI tooling) and an MPC algorithm template library; commercial product lines cover Digital Test Benches for energy systems, physics-based Benchmark Simulators of competitor EVs, an Autonomous Driving Modular Library (integrating with Simulink, ROS, RT-Maps and MicroAutobox), Lidar-Based 2.5D/3D Tracking, a Parking Valet Library and multi-sensor Perception Kits.
Revenue is generated through three channels. Engineering Services dominate, delivered as fixed-price projects or service-platform engagements and averaging roughly 150 projects per year, with more than 70% of clients over a rolling three-year window returning for new work. Solutions are sold as one-time-licensed software products (Digital Test Benches, Benchmark Simulators, Autonomous Driving and Parking Valet Libraries, Perception Kits). Training is offered as inter- and intra-company courses under the Qualiopi certification, ranging from one- to three-day programmes, with registration via the firm website. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales: direct engagement with large industrial groups (notably Stellantis and Saft within the IBIS consortium) and consortia participation in France 2030 and EU-funded projects (ARCHIMEDES, IBIS, SPECTRA, AgroTechnoPole/INRAE, STAIRS). Primary customer segments are large industrial groups in automotive & mobility, energy systems and an emerging agricultural robotics vertical.
SHERPA Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SHERPA Engineering
- Legal name
- SHERPA ENGINEERING
- Website
- https://sherpa-eng.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- SHERPA Engineering is a French engineering firm providing Model-Based Design, multi-physical modelling, control-command and embedded software solutions for complex intelligent systems, serving automotive, energy, agricultural robotics and industrial clients across Europe and MENA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SHERPA Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Engineering Simulation Services
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (54133)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performance Engineering & Scalability Testing (BPAEAKAK), Software Engineering & Application Development Training (Languages, Frameworks, Testing) (BPAEANAI)
Keywords
Where SHERPA Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nanterre
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
SHERPA Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Engineering Services: Fixed price projects and projects in service platforms. Teams of SHERPA Engineering engineers led by project managers. The company carries out an average of 150 engineering projects per year.
- Solutions: Digital test benches for energy systems development (HVAC simulator, BEV HeatPump Simulator, Fuel-Cell simulator), benchmark simulators for competing vehicle analysis, and software libraries for autonomous driving and parking.
- Training: Inter and intra-company training courses in system approach, modelling, control design, and related software tools. Training provider approval number: 11921201492. Courses eligible for company training plans.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Training courses - business skills, software, sciences, and technology |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SHERPA Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SHERPA Engineering delivers technological solutions for modeling, simulation, and control-command systems, primarily serving the automotive industry. The company executes more than 150 engineering projects per year through fixed-price engagements and dedicated service platforms, while also selling proprietary software products such as the PhiSim digital test bench and libraries for autonomous driving, energy, powertrain, and embedded systems. Complementary training courses are offered to industrial clients.
Product overview
SHERPA Engineering offers a comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions for energy systems and autonomous vehicles. The core offerings include Digital Test Benches (HVAC simulator, BEV HeatPump Simulator, Fuel-Cell simulator) and Benchmark Simulators for competing electric vehicles (Tesla Model 3, Jaguar I-Pace, VW ID3, Hyundai Kona). For autonomous vehicles, the portfolio includes Object Detection and Tracking, Lidar-Based Tracking (2.5D and 3D variants), Autonomous Driving Modular Library, Parking Valet Library, and Perception Kits. These products integrate with industry-standard platforms including ROS, RT-Maps, Simulink, MicroAutobox, and IPG CarMaker/TruckMaker. The company also offers engineering services and training courses alongside these product solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Engineering Services — Fixed-Price Projects
- Engineering Services — Service Platforms
- PhiSim Digital Test Bench
- Autonomous Driving Solutions
- Energy Solutions
- Embedded Systems Solutions
- Powertrain Solutions
- Training Courses
Quantifiable outcome
- Quality and reduced lead times and costs through Model-Based Design approach
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SHERPA Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SHERPA Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability6 records
Feature9 records
SHERPA Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- M3 SYSTEMScorePartner in SPECTRA project supported by France 2030, developing an AI-enabled mission computer with RF sensor for maritime drone surveillance.
- SDR TechnologiescorePartner in SPECTRA project for maritime drone surveillance technology development.
- EmbryacorePartner in SPECTRA project for maritime drone surveillance technology development.
- Tilt GNSScorePartner in SPECTRA project for maritime drone surveillance technology development.
- ACTIAcoreStrategic partnership integrating SHERPA's autonomous navigation technology into ACTIA's high-performance HPC computer for agricultural robotics.
- INRAEcorePartnership within AgroTechnoPole focused on agricultural robotics. Joint vision to sustainably transform agricultural industry through innovation and robotics.
- STAIRS ConsortiumcoreProject developing standards, tools and methodologies for efficient, interoperable and environmentally responsible agricultural robots.
- IBIS ConsortiumcoreCollaborative research project for revolution in battery architecture for electric vehicles and stationary storage, financed by France 2030/ADEME.
- SUP'COMcorePartnership with SUP'COM École d'ingénieurs en Télécommunication (Tunisia) for training and skills development in telecommunications.
- ISI (Tunisia)coreStrategic partnership to bring academia and industry closer together, training experts in digital development, DevOps and AI.
- Gustave Eiffel University Partners' ClubcoreSHERPA Engineering co-chairs the Partners' Council within the Gustave Eiffel University Partners' Club, launched March 2024.
- Gustave Eiffel UniversitycoreFramework contract for portfolio of research, innovation and technology transfer projects. Includes scientific theses, pedagogical support with internships and work-study programmes.
- ARCHIMEDES Consortium (48 partners)coreEU research project (KDT JU co-funded) aiming to increase efficiency and lifetime of electric propulsion systems, power generation technology, and energy storage in automotive, aviation, and infrastructure.
- INRAE-TSCF UnitcoreAssociated Partnership Laboratory (APL) called i-SMART within AgroTechnoPole platform, dedicated to agricultural robotics methods and tools.
- AI4MobLab (with LOGIROAD and Institut Pascal)coreShared laboratory for AI in mobility, addressing carbon footprint of mobility sector and road safety through driving assistance and autonomous vehicles.
- IRT SystemXcoreActive in the digital community, collaborating on research projects in system engineering and digital transformation.
- CEA ListcoreActive in the digital community, collaborating on research in modelling and simulation technologies.
- Systematic Paris-RegioncoreActive in the digital community through this competitive cluster.
- L2S, Centrale SupéleccoreCollaborates with L2S laboratory for control of complex systems through theses and research.
- AME-EASE (Université Gustave Eiffel - IFSTTAR)coreCo-authored whitepaper published in Sensors journal on perception and localization system for autonomous driving.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SHERPA Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vector Informatik: Provider of embedded software tools, AUTOSAR, and testing/validation solutions for automotive ECUs. Comparable to SHERPA's tool-stack and validation services for functional safety (ISO 26262) and ADAS development.
- Bertrandt: German engineering services specialist for automotive OEMs developing ADAS, EVs, and connected vehicles. Comparable services-led model targeting the same large automotive groups SHERPA serves.
- IPG Automotive: Developer of CarMaker/TruckMaker virtual test driving platforms, explicitly partnered with SHERPA for coupled benchmark and fuel-cell simulators. Closely comparable simulation-tools peer in the same automotive customer base.
- dSPACE: German provider of Model-Based Development, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, and embedded software tools for automotive ECUs and ADAS/AV. Highly comparable to SHERPA Engineering's PhiSim + control-command + autonomous driving library stack across the same OEM/tier-1 customer base.
- AVL List GmbH: Austrian engineering services and simulation tool provider focused on powertrain, electrification, and vehicle development. Directly comparable to SHERPA's energy-systems, EV benchmark simulators, and automotive engineering services offering.
- ESI Group: French-origin virtual prototyping and system simulation vendor serving automotive, aerospace, and energy. Comparable to SHERPA's multi-physical modelling, digital twin, and benchmark simulator product lines.
- FEV Group: Independent engineering services provider for powertrain, vehicle, and energy systems with significant simulation/IPG CarMaker integration. Highly comparable services-and-tools mix to SHERPA's automotive and energy offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Siemens (Simcenter): Siemens Digital Industries Software offers Simcenter for systems simulation, autonomous vehicle validation, and digital twins. A broader incumbent in adjacent space to SHERPA's MBD and benchmark simulators, serving overlapping automotive and energy customers.
- Capgemini Engineering (formerly Altran / AKKA): Global engineering services and R&D arm of Capgemini covering automotive software, embedded systems, and ADAS. Comparable services-led business model and customer base but at much larger scale and broader scope than SHERPA.
Others
- MathWorks: Vendor of MATLAB/Simulink, the underlying platform on which SHERPA's MBD methodology and autonomous driving libraries are built. An ecosystem partner and enabling technology peer rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SHERPA Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceSHERPA Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SHERPA Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SHERPA Engineering subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SHERPA Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SHERPA Engineering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SHERPA Engineering
What does SHERPA Engineering do?
SHERPA Engineering delivers technological solutions for modeling, simulation, and control-command systems, primarily serving the automotive industry. The company executes more than 150 engineering projects per year through fixed-price engagements and dedicated service platforms, while also selling proprietary software products such as the PhiSim digital test bench and libraries for autonomous driving, energy, powertrain, and embedded systems. Complementary training courses are offered to industrial clients.
Is SHERPA Engineering a public or private company?
SHERPA Engineering is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SHERPA Engineering founded?
SHERPA Engineering was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is SHERPA Engineering based?
SHERPA Engineering is headquartered in Nanterre, France, in the Europe region.
How does SHERPA Engineering make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Engineering Services are the primary driver. The others are solutions and training.
Who are SHERPA Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vector Informatik, Bertrandt, IPG Automotive, dSPACE, AVL List GmbH, ESI Group and FEV Group. Broad incumbents are Siemens (Simcenter) and Capgemini Engineering (formerly Altran / AKKA). MathWorks is listed as an others.
Does SHERPA Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for SHERPA Engineering.
What industry is SHERPA Engineering in?
SHERPA Engineering's product category is Automotive Engineering Simulation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAHAF, AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services, with a secondary code of BPAEAKAK, Performance Engineering & Scalability Testing. Its NAICS code is 54133 and its SIC code is 8711.