Began his career at Renault in 1980, in the Body Engineering Department.
In 1984, he was made head of the Resident Engineering Department at the Sandouville plant. He then returned to Body Engineering in 1987.

In 1997, he was appointed Deputy Director of Body Equipment and Final Assembly, and became in 1999 Director of Architecture and Assembly Engineering. From May 2003 until December 2005, he was Vice President, D/E Product Range Program and Director of the New Laguna project. Since January 2006, he is Vice President Pre-engineering, Projects and Requirements.

Michel Balthazard became a member of the Renault Management Committee on January 2, 2008.