After graduating from Kingston Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical and aeronautical engineering he went to work for the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough.
In 1979 he moved to British Aerospace at Weybridge, working on aircraft wing design and composites engineering.
After a brief spell with the March Alfa Romeo Indycar program he moved to Team Lotus following the departure of chief designer Mike Coughlan.
Later that year he returned to Britain and became technical director of TOM'S GB, working with John Barnard on the design of a secret Formula One car.
After Pacific closed its doors at the end of the 1995 season Coppuck moved to Benetton but stayed only a year before going back to TOM'S GB.