Dreamers & Makers

What inspired you to pursue a career in geology applied to tunnel excavation?

I have been a tremendously restless person since I was a child, with an almost unhealthy curiosity that pushed me to ask why things were, always looking to understand the world around me. This need to understand every detail led me to choose science, where every question opened the door to a new discovery. I think that’s why my mind is so structured and compartmentalised; they are small blocks of content that take me, step-by-step, to an answer. That’s why I guess I have a passion for numbers and data that goes beyond mere figures. Geology, in particular, offered me a field yet to be explored: the planet we live on. Every rock, every stratum, tells a story of millions of years, and I wanted to be someone who deciphers it. Tunnel excavation, rather than a technical discipline, became my way of understanding the behaviour of the terrain and the numbers that accompany excavations, deciphering the reasons for their behaviour. Connecting with the earth and helping to reveal its answers, it’s still fascinating to me. Geology applied to tunnel excavation and understanding the behaviour of tunnels combines my passion for geology with engineering, allowing me to work on challenging and high-impact projects.

How did you join Sener? What excited you about Sener?

I joined Sener through a scholarship while studying for a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering in Barcelona in 2003, and I stayed here. What excited me about Sener was the opportunity to work on complex and large-scale projects, such as the Figueras-Perpignan High Speed Line construction project, the first project I took part in at Sener. The possibility of applying my knowledge and especially my enthusiasm and passion for what I do to real and challenging projects motivated me to join this company. At Sener, I have always felt challenged; I have never been held back, instead I have been given the freedom to reach my goals in the way I consider most appropriate. This independence has allowed me to work on an ongoing challenge in search of answers that have not yet been written, even after almost twenty-two years at the company.

The ©Acrot solution is a perfect example of how Sener trusts that its employees can build something valuable for our customers, based on a simple idea. I think one of Sener’s virtues is its ability to get the best out of each one of us, which is largely due to the freedom that they give us. This working philosophy has allowed me to grow and develop professionally, always in an environment of education and continuous improvement, and always supported by the company.

What business department are you in and what do you do? What’s your work day like?

At Sener, I belong, within the Mobility area, to the Mobility Technology Unit and specifically to the Integration and Construction HUB. From there, I mainly focus on ©Acrot services and developments, which aim to digitize and automate operational risk control during tunnel excavation. My work day consists partly of developing, coordinating, and managing projects and developments related to tunnel excavation. However, in the last two years, my work on ©Acrot is just a part of my daily work at Sener, and I am increasingly involved in other areas that pose new challenges. I collaborate with the Innovation Technology Unit to create new ways of managing the innovation development portfolio and, on the other hand, I am part of the AI Lab’s core team at Sener, a space dedicated to promoting the use of artificial intelligence tools with the aim of improving productivity. These new paths are creating challenges for me outside my comfort zone, and I am delighted with this because there is a world to discover. There are many “whys” to answer, and my goal is for this path we are travelling on to lead us to new services and developments for our customers.

Every rock, every stratum, tells a story of millions of years, and I wanted to be someone who deciphers them.

What’s your progression been like since you joined Sener? What are the most notable projects you’re currently working on?

My progression at Sener has been an adventure full of challenges and constant learning, but above all, it has been a time of constant change. Since joining the company in 2003, I have had the opportunity to work on pioneering and large-scale projects, such as the High Speed Line at its entrance to Barcelona on the La Torrassa-Sants section, the Basque Y on its Etzkio-Itsaso section, Line 3 of the Guadalajara metro, in Mexico, or the Linha Leste of the Fortaleza metro, in Brazil, as well as offshore work in Rabat, Salé and Tangier. Over the years, my work has expanded beyond the services and developments of ©Acrot, which started in 2008 with the excavation of the High Speed Line tunnel as it passed by the Sagrada Familia in the Madrid-Barcelona-French Border section – moving towards innovation applied to developing new services and solutions for our customers. I’m fascinated by how the revolution of artificial intelligence is transforming our way of working, opening up a future full of possibilities. The journey so far is incredible.

There is something that the lead character in “House of Cards” says which I really identify with, which pretty much sums up my journey at Sener until now: “I used to build bridges. I loved it because building bridges cut people’s journey times, and somehow it gave them more life. Now, in politics, I build bridges of another kind, bridges that connect ideas and people“. I like to think that I am now connecting ideas and people, opening up paths in innovation and technology that previously did not exist, and contributing to a more efficient and connected future.

How do you think the projects you work on are influencing the current/future world or society?

The projects I work on have a significant impact on society, as they improve transport infrastructure and facilitate urban mobility. In addition, the construction of tunnels and underground structures contributes to the sustainable development of cities, reducing traffic congestion and improving the quality of life of citizens and, of course, they shorten people’s travel times, giving them more life. As for the work that I carry out at the AI Lab (the innovation and excellence team for the improvement and development of solutions and processes based on Sener’s artificial intelligence), we will see its influence very soon, because the AI revolution is here to stay and I hope that it will create a better quality of life for all.

How do you stay up to date on the knowledge and general trends in your sector?

I keep up to date by attending industry conferences and fairs, as well as continuing professional development (CPD) courses. I also usually publish articles at least once a year to observe their impact on the tunnel sector. It is a way of testing the market with my own contributions. I also stay in touch with colleagues and industry experts to exchange knowledge and experiences. Constant innovation and adaptation to new technologies are key to keeping up with this field.

In your opinion, what sets Sener apart from its competitors?

In my opinion, what sets us apart from our competitors is our ability to offer innovative and effective solutions, adapting to the specific needs of our customers. Our working philosophy is based on freedom of action, which allows each employee to develop their potential and contribute to projects as much as possible. This independence, combined with the support needed to modify or change direction when necessary, allows us to tackle complex challenges efficiently and effectively. In my opinion, we are committed to quality and innovation, and we believe that the ability to get the best out of each one of us is what makes us stand out in the market. In addition, teamwork and collaboration are key values in our company, which allows us to efficiently address complex projects.

What new challenges do you see yourself working on in the medium term?

In the medium term, I see myself working on the implementation of new technologies and digitalisation methods for our customers and providing AI solutions in our internal processes, connecting ideas and people to achieve innovative and efficient results.

Contact: Silvia Arrate | LinkedIn