I have been working with the company in Luxembourg for 2 years on a range of projects around cybersecurity and space, enjoying the variety and the opportunity to collaborate with many different people.
What does a typical day in your working life entail?
I work on various projects covering different domains and activities around cybersecurity and space for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union (EU).
More precisely, these projects cover 5G/6G telecommunications (TRANTOR and RIGOUROUS), cybersecurity for satellites (Threat Risk Assessment for LEO satellites, TRALEO), Earth observation (the HeManEO project) and quantum key distribution (providing support to the team working on the End-to-End International Use Cases for Operational QKD Applications and Services project, INT-UQKD). While some projects might comprise a relatively small consortium of three partners, others may have up to a dozen from industry or research/academia across Europe.
A typical day includes a succession of meetings of different sorts, such as technical, management, internal and status/progress review meetings. I have to travel to attend some of these meetings and to conduct regular progress reviews with different partners and stakeholders. Meetings are organised at stakeholders’ premises, so I can end up travelling almost anywhere across the EU.
As a project manager, my main role is to ensure the projects progress according to schedule and within budget, ensuring we find constructive ways to resolve any potential issues together as a team, and making sure the team(s) remain motivated and happy, and enjoy what they do in an environment they can flourish in.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy having the opportunity to manage different kinds of projects and be involved in various domains and activities around cybersecurity and space.
On top of that, an important element is collaborating with different people with different backgrounds and origins to bring them together in order to form a team, and then empowering that team to be effective throughout the duration of the project in order to achieve significant results that support Starion’s development.
It is important to value everyone’s contribution, and I need to ensure that each individual’s background and expertise can be combined to meet the project’s objectives and the stakeholders’ expectations.
What has been your most memorable career highlight or achievement?
That’s a tricky question!
Let me answer this in a different manner. Instead of trying to pick a specific highlight or achievement, which can be subjective depending on what criteria you use, I would prefer to emphasise the importance of valuing each step forward (as little as that step might sometimes seem) and each achievement that makes you improve and progress in one way or another. Take one step at a time, according to a consistent plan, and results will follow!
That obviously applies to business and careers but is also true in one’s personal life.
Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in your area of expertise?
My background is in both engineering and business, which I find a good combination in order to manage projects and deal with technical matters. Moreover, what I appreciate most about my engineering background is that, beyond the technical skills it gives you in your area of expertise, it equips you with a mindset that provides the ability to address different scenarios you have to face.
Beyond this, in my eyes, soft skills are important: for example assembling and leading a project team, communicating effectively within the team and with all stakeholders, and interacting with them to interpret their needs and requirements. All of these go together to make a project successful and ensure all stakeholders are satisfied at the end.
How do you wind down after a working day?
That is difficult to answer as every day is different…. Still, to wind down in my time off I typically try to enjoy the simple things life can offer, such as appreciating precious family time or meeting with friends, doing some sporting activities (mainly tennis, but also cycling or running). Or just sipping a nice beer while watching football!