Dreamers & Makers

What inspired you to start your career in the aerospace sector?

When I decided to study Telecommunications Engineering, my initial aim was to move into the audiovisual world — film and television — a field I have always been passionate about. However, by the time I finished my degree, the telecommunications sector was booming and mobile technology was developing rapidly. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, opportunities were limited, and I was offered the chance to undertake an internship abroad through a grant. That was how I arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where I joined a company specialising in software for mobile telephony applications.

Although the experience was highly enriching both personally and professionally, I realised that programming was not the path on which I wanted to build my career, and I felt that my profile was becoming too narrowly associated with that area. At that point, a former colleague told me about a Master’s degree in Optoelectronics and Optical Information Processing at Queen’s University Belfast. I looked into the programme and the possibility of studying it with a European scholarship, and I saw in it the opportunity I had been looking for. I did not hesitate to take that step.

This Master’s degree allowed me to discover the fascinating world of electronic component technology, not as simple “black boxes”, but as advanced systems whose functionality depends on complex technological processes. That perspective sparked my interest in understanding what lies behind those components and how they are developed. This interest was what ultimately led me to remain at university and undertake a doctorate, delving deeper into new technologies and the processes that make them possible.

What made you interested in Sener? 

After completing my doctorate, and following eight years in Belfast, I was able to begin my professional career in the aerospace sector thanks to the knowledge I had acquired in electronic component technologies. I moved to Madrid to join a company specialising in the qualification and evaluation of components for space applications. There I discovered a fascinating sector in which reliability, specific testing and an understanding of component behaviour throughout a mission are essential. It was during that stage that I truly fell in love with the world of electronic components.

In time, I felt the need to keep growing and to understand how those components — the foundation of any electronic design — are integrated into complete units and systems within a satellite. This opportunity came in a second company in the sector, where I worked in component and radiation engineering, consolidating my experience and broadening my view of the full lifecycle of a space development programme.

Almost seven years after in that company, Sener offered me the opportunity to take on new challenges. What appealed to me most was the possibility of contributing to a broader range of products and technological areas within the space sector. In addition, Sener gave me the opportunity to apply all my previous knowledge to help implement a new component selection policy aligned with the needs of the New Space market, thereby strengthening the company’s competitiveness.

What area of the business do you work in? And what is your day-to-day work like?

I am currently responsible for electronic components at Sener Aerospace and Defence, within the communications division. This role is complemented by my position as discipline lead for component engineering at Sener.

In my work as an electronic components engineer, we support projects in the aerospace sector, across both traditional space business lines and New Space. Our day-to-day work involves not only providing technical solutions, but also analysing, selecting and justifying the components used in different electronic designs. We work closely with the design, radiation, quality and procurement teams, as well as with the manufacturers themselves. This collaboration begins as early as the bid stage and continues through to the final phases of the project, becoming particularly important in the early stages, when the design is still being consolidated.

As discipline lead, I work with all members of the discipline to identify synergies, establish common processes and define ways of working in the components area that are cross-cutting and harmonised across all divisions. Our goal is to improve the competitiveness of our products and technologies. In addition, we provide technical support and recommendations to the different areas in everything related to components for aerospace and defence applications. We also contribute to the effective sharing and management of the knowledge acquired, both internally and externally, and we keep a close watch on new technologies and developments, sharing these updates with the different divisions.

What progress have you made since joining Sener? What are the most important projects you are currently working on?

I joined Sener three years ago as a components engineer within the communications division. Since then, I have consolidated my position as a technical reference in the area of electronic components, thanks both to my specialist knowledge and to my management and coordination skills. In 2024, I took on an additional challenge when I was appointed discipline lead for component engineering across Sener, with responsibility for harmonising processes, aligning criteria and coordinating the discipline’s activities, with a view to meeting the needs of the different divisions.

I am currently involved in several space projects that represent a major technological challenge, such as PAZ‑2, CIMR, CO2MODOR and SART, among others. In addition, I collaborate on R&D initiatives, including the consolidation of a PPL for electronic components aimed at the New Space market, with the goal of strengthening Sener’s competitiveness and responsiveness to new demands in the sector.

How do you think the projects you work on influence the world or society today/in the future?

Projects in the aerospace and defence sector play a strategic role in present and future society. They represent a technological challenge, as they drive the generation of knowledge and the development of innovative solutions with an impact across many fields. They also help to strengthen the industrial and technological competitiveness of countries, and in particular of Spain and Sener, within a strategic sector.

At the same time, these initiatives support sustainability goals, since developments in the aerospace sector make it possible to monitor climate change, optimise resource management and improve environmental planning. They are also essential for the development of critical communications infrastructure and for strengthening security.

How do you keep up to date with general knowledge and trends in your sector?

I keep myself up to date by staying in direct contact with the technological environment, especially with advances in electronic components — including radiation — applied to the aerospace and defence sector. Taking part in conferences, seminars and workshops is particularly valuable, as it allows me to access current technical content in just a few days and to exchange experiences with professionals from both the research and commercial spheres, thanks to the presence of different suppliers.

Another important way of keeping up to date is through technical visits from suppliers, during which they present new products, ongoing developments and potential obsolescence issues. This information is usually aligned with the market needs they identify through their own interactions with companies in the sector.

In addition, subscriptions to specialist forums, scientific publications and standards related to electronic components provide an additional knowledge base that helps me follow the evolution of the field.

Lastly, I believe it is essential to maintain a meticulous, curious and open attitude towards change. In a technological sector that advances so rapidly, these qualities are key to adapting and responding to the challenges the profession presents.

What, in your opinion, distinguishes Sener from its competitors? 

I believe that one of the main factors that differentiates Sener is its broad and multifunctional view of engineering. The company is committed to becoming a technological benchmark in the different sectors in which it operates and directs its work towards technical excellence. This constant pursuit of quality is rooted in a culture that values specialist knowledge, the experience of each professional and, above all, continuous attention to the client’s needs.

Another aspect that clearly distinguishes Sener is its working environment. The company fosters an atmosphere based on collaboration, respect and trust among colleagues. Camaraderie and mutual support are not only part of everyday life, but are also elements that drive collective success. This internal culture helps people to work in an integrated way and with a strong sense of team spirit.

What new challenges do you foresee in the coming years? 

In the medium term, I would like to contribute to the harmonisation of electronic component management and selection criteria by promoting a more structured and coherent approach within the organisation. My goal is to foster a culture that recognises the strategic importance of component engineering and the effort involved in this role, encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the work carried out in this field.

Along these lines, I would like to move towards consolidating a cross-cutting components area for all divisions, supported by common procedures that guarantee technical coherence, reliability and traceability across projects.

On a personal level, I aspire to strengthen an environment of collaboration and trust among the people working in this speciality, making their contribution more visible and helping to ensure that their work is recognised within the organisation.