Dreamers & Makers

How did you become CTE at Sener?

Becoming a CTE at Sener has been, rather than a single milestone, the natural outcome of a particular way of understanding the profession. This journey is built on many projects, countless technical conversations and, above all, people who have served as role models. In my case, a very important influence has been my father, Fernando Llabrés, a senior process engineer, from whom I learnt from a very early age a rigorous, honest and committed approach to engineering. Jorge Contreras, the former CTE in my discipline, has also been instrumental: he encouraged me to embark on this journey within Sener, and I have learnt a great deal from him over the years. My career has been closely linked to process technology and energy and, in recent years, to developing solutions related to renewable hydrogen and decarbonisation. I joined Sener in 2005 as an intern and subsequently became a permanent member of staff in 2007. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work on projects such as Gate, AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) for submarines, renewable hydrogen projects and other technological developments, always as part of teams that have enabled me to grow both technically and professionally. I have been particularly motivated by delving into technical problems, gaining a thorough understanding of their underlying principles and seeking solutions that not only work on paper, but can also become robust industrial realities. I also see this recognition as a collective achievement: no one gets this far alone. Reaching this point in a professional career requires dedication and sacrifice, including outside day-to-day work. Combining company projects with university teaching, supervising master’s theses and doctoral candidates, and completing a doctoral thesis requires sustained effort. Throughout this journey, my family’s support has been fundamental; without it, it would have been impossible to move forward with the same dedication while keeping sight of what truly matters.

What has been the most challenging project of your career?

It is difficult to choose a single project, because the most challenging ones are usually those that force you to learn quickly, make decisions with incomplete information and bring together many disciplines at once. In my career, I would particularly highlight the Gate project, an LNG regasification terminal in Rotterdam. The project brought together technical, financial, safety and industrial scale-up challenges within the context of an EPC plant that had to be delivered operational and on schedule. I particularly remember the work on the reliquefier, one of the plant’s key pieces of equipment, whose concept, design and commissioning stages I had the opportunity to take part in. The process control system that was developed and the positive financial impact it generated for Sener were also especially significant. The challenge was not merely to demonstrate that technology was viable, but to turn it into a robust, competitive solution that addressed a real need. That transition from a technological idea to a reliable industrial application has probably been one of the most demanding and stimulating aspects of my career.

What value do you think the role of CTE brings to Sener?

I believe a CTE brings Sener a combination of technical depth, experience and a cross-disciplinary perspective. In complex projects, the difficulty often lies not only in having specialist knowledge, but also in interpreting the problem correctly, separating the essential from the incidental and guiding decisions with sound judgement. This is where a CTE can provide clarity, reduce uncertainty and help develop solutions that are technically robust and realistic. In my case, I believe I can contribute particularly in areas such as hydrogen production, chemical processes, synthetic fuels, CO₂ capture, refining, gas and the circular economy, connecting technical knowledge, industrial insight and client needs. The role also provides an important link between areas and disciplines, between projects, between generations of professionals, and between technology and the company’s strategy.

How do you drive innovation and talent development?

I try to foster innovation from a highly practical perspective: identifying real needs, understanding the capabilities we have within Sener and helping ideas mature until they can become applicable solutions and, where appropriate, be protected through intellectual property rights. Innovation is not simply about introducing a new technology; it is about knowing when it makes sense to do so, what risks it entails and how it can create value. Talent is essential to this process. I believe it is important to give teams context, confidence and demanding challenges, as well as support. People grow considerably when they face difficult problems and feel that someone is close to help them structure their analysis, test hypotheses and persevere when the answers do not emerge immediately. Moreover, as I combine my professional development at Sener with university teaching, I also see attracting talent, not just developing it, as a key consideration.

How do you support teams through mentoring?

For me, mentoring is primarily about being available and building trust. Technical experience is not conveyed solely through a presentation or a document; it is often shared in specific conversations, for example when a genuine question arises on a project or someone needs to discuss a particular approach. I try to support people by helping them frame problems properly, identify the key risks and make well-founded decisions. In recent years, I have carried out this work particularly with junior teams, supporting them in their day-to-day work. I believe mentoring should not always be about providing the answer, but rather about helping each person develop their own judgement, autonomy and technical confidence. In my university teaching, I also always try to make classes practical by giving theory context and application, because I believe people learn better when they tackle a real problem or calculation and solve it themselves, rather than merely watching the lecturer work through an example.

What skill do you consider key to convey or enhance?

The skill I consider most important to pass on is the ability to analyse problems rigorously and systematically. In engineering, particularly in the fields of chemical processes, energy and hydrogen, it is easy to be swayed by quick solutions or intuitions that are not always well founded. That is why I believe it is essential to teach people to pause, interpret the data, question assumptions, consider alternatives —whether disruptive or not— and get to the root of the problem. Ultimately, it is about cultivating technical rigour. I have learnt this way of working particularly through technology development projects. Technical judgement is built from there and is, to me, one of the most valuable capabilities: knowing how to decide what is relevant, what is not, and what consequences choosing one course of action or another may have. Another key aspect I try to convey, and one I consider equally important, is a passion for the work. In my view, this attitude enables us to see things differently: not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to learn, create and contribute.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow in the technical field?

I would tell anyone who wants to develop in a technical field to be patient and not try to skip stages. Technical depth is built over time, through dedication, study, demanding projects and also mistakes, from which a great deal can be learnt. It is important to remain curious, ask questions, test ideas and not settle for understanding only the surface of problems. In my case, technology development projects have been especially important because they helped me understand that technical judgement develops by tackling real problems. Ultimately, these are realities that must be measured in laboratories and pilot plants; numbers alone are not enough. I would also recommend seeking out role models, asking for opinions and taking an active part in difficult challenges, because that is where genuine growth takes place. A technical career requires perseverance, but it can be enormously rewarding when pursued with vocation and a desire to create value.

What trends will shape the future in your field?

In my field, the main trends will be driven by the need to decarbonise industry and transform the energy system. Hydrogen, synthetic fuels, CO₂ capture and utilisation, process electrification and the efficient use of raw materials will become increasingly important. In this context, I believe Sener can contribute knowledge, technology and distinctive engineering expertise. However, the greatest challenge will not only be technological, but also industrial: ensuring that these solutions are reliable, scalable, safe and economically viable. In the coming years, we will see many technologies move from the demonstration stage into a more demanding implementation phase, where combining deep technical knowledge with market insight and delivery capability will be essential.

What motivates you most about your work as a CTE?

What motivates me most is the opportunity to work on technical challenges that have a real impact. I am particularly interested in the combination of technological depth, teamwork and purpose: developing solutions that can help transform industry, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create value for Sener and its clients. However, if I had to highlight a more personal motivation, I would say it is learning. I have a strong appetite for knowledge, not only within my own discipline but also across many other technical fields. I enjoy understanding how things work, connecting concepts from different areas and discovering how that knowledge can be turned into useful solutions. I am also motivated by supporting other professionals in their technical development, because one of the greatest impacts an expert can have often lies not only in solving a specific problem, but also in helping the organisation improve its ability to solve complex problems. Technical excellence undoubtedly adds value, but strong relationships with colleagues, a positive attitude and generosity in sharing knowledge multiply the impact of what we can achieve together.

How do you imagine your role will evolve in the coming years?

I envisage the CTE role becoming increasingly important over the coming years, as technological challenges grow ever more complex and interdisciplinary, and become more closely connected to business strategy. Artificial intelligence and new digital tools will help us access knowledge more effectively, accelerate analysis and improve efficiency, but technical judgement will remain essential for interpreting results, framing challenges properly and making responsible decisions. In my field, I believe this evolution will be particularly evident in the renewable energy sector and in technologies aimed at industrial decarbonisation. In this context, the CTE can play a key role as a bridge between accumulated experience, new technologies, teams and Sener’s vision for the future.