Sener culture

How did you become CTE at Sener?
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it, but my boss at the time, Juan Ruiz de Gopegui, suggested it to me and we prepared the application together. I think it was recognition for my good work in previous years and a vote of confidence in me and what I can contribute to this company. I’ve got them all fooled! 🙂

What has been the most challenging project of your career?

Each project is more challenging than the last, but perhaps where I grew the most was during the MTG scanner project, where I learned and collaborated with some of Sener’s best engineers, including Carlos Compostizo, also a CTE, Cristina Tato, José Félix… I was very fortunate.

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

On the one hand, it raises awareness of the importance of technical careers. On the other, it tries to be an inspiration for other engineers. And it’s also important to say that they can count on you when difficult problems arise.

How do you drive innovation and talent development?

First, by looking for what each person can contribute. By creating an environment of trust where we get everyone to contribute, and some to shine. By trying to promote effort and excellence, first by example and sometimes by word. By overcoming fears together. By pitching in when the going gets tough. By showing humility, knowing that we are all disciples, and sometimes acknowledging our own mistakes. By aiming for the highest goals without overwhelming ourselves. By learning from other people, from customers, from suppliers… by seeking common interests.

How do you support teams in mentoring?

Recently, I have also taken on the role of department manager. I lead a group of about 30 people, so support is almost imposed on me by my position. Throughout the year, we have monthly meetings where we review projects. I also review the talent of each person on my team throughout the year.
I have to say that being the boss of the people I mentor is not always easy, as it is understandable that you cannot speak as freely to a colleague as you can to a boss. I have to work hard to ensure that the relationship is fluid and open.

What skill do you consider key to convey or enhance?

Communication is essential for us all to work together.
Confidence in our people and our abilities.
Aspiring to excellence, with humility.
Curiosity, never lose it.
Learning to accept others as they are.
Learning to apologise and forgive.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow in the technical field?
First, patience: the road is long, but the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Don’t put your life on hold, live now. Live with the awareness that the best is always yet to come. Don’t lose your curiosity or your desire to learn. Don’t walk the path alone: we get much further with someone by our side. Be grateful: you are where you are not because of your own merit, but because of the sacrifice and effort of many other people who have accompanied you to where you are today.

What trends will shape the future in your field?
Without a doubt, artificial intelligence will have a cross-cutting effect on many disciplines, and control engineering is one of them. Control theory is based on mathematics and logic, where AI is particularly powerful. This will give us broad and powerful access to a multitude of control techniques that we can apply to our work.
Another more specific and relevant aspect would be motor control. At Sener, we work throughout the entire value chain: we have the capacity to build customised motors, customised electronics, and control algorithms, which are the icing on the cake for getting the most out of each application.

What motivates you most about your work as a CTE?
Contributing good engineering to society through Sener.
Promoting the growth of all the engineers I work with.
Enjoying my work and who I am.

How do you imagine the role will evolve in the coming years?
My role is highly specialised in actuator control. I believe that actuators are going to be an area that will continue to grow at Sener. On the one hand, the evolution will be to do the things we do in an increasingly efficient way. And on the other hand, to face increasingly difficult problems, an example of which could be the actuators in the LISA project, a project that is almost science fiction. There are many exciting things to come, we are going to have a good time.