In the world of industrial manufacturing and digital innovation, names often reflect function. Throughout my career journey from a maintenance technician in Brazil to Head of Engineering at Thales Group in Finland, I’ve earned a call sign that captures the essence of my professional identity: “The Transformer.”
BEYOND MEETS THE EYE
This moniker isn’t just a clever reference to popular culture—it encapsulates my lifelong mission of transforming manufacturing environments through digital innovation, automation, and pioneering approaches to industrial challenges.
The name “Transformer” represents my ability to:
- Transform Traditional Manufacturing into smart, connected Industry 4.0 environments
- Convert Problems into Opportunities by designing custom solutions that others might miss
- Translate Complex Technical Challenges into practical, implementable systems
- Reshape Team Dynamics to foster innovation and knowledge sharing
A HISTORY OF TRANSFORMATION
My journey as “The Transformer” is marked by moments of significant impact:
When faced with 170,000 rejected secure cards that would have resulted in a €280,500 loss, I didn’t see waste—I saw an opportunity for transformation. By designing and building a custom rework machine, I transformed potential loss into €250,000 in savings.
When the introduction of a new identity document design required equipment incompatible with existing machinery—with a proposed €400,000 solution—I transformed an existing machine with just €4,000 in modifications, delivering identical results with a fraction of the investment.
During a critical production crisis that threatened a major contract cancellation, I transformed a quality issue into an innovative solution, saving €300,000 and securing the relationship with a key government client.
The essence of transformation isn’t just about implementing new technology—it’s about seeing possibilities where others see problems, and having the technical breadth and practical experience to turn vision into reality.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ARCHITECT
Today, as Head of Engineering at Thales Group, my role as “The Transformer” has evolved to focus on comprehensive digital transformation. I lead initiatives that are:
- Achieving paperless operations through advanced automation
- Integrating connected machines with real-time material tracking
- Deploying collaborative robots (cobots) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
- Implementing robust IIoT solutions for machine data collection
- Building manufacturing execution systems that streamline workflows
My expertise extends deeply into Unified Namespace architecture—a revolutionary framework that enables seamless communication between disparate systems. Through in-depth research and practical implementation, I’ve developed specialized knowledge of MQTT broker performance, network optimization, and security considerations specific to industrial environments. My thesis on “Digital Transformation through Unified Namespace: From a Cyber Security Perspective” represents one of the most comprehensive studies on this emerging technology, combining both theoretical understanding and practical deployment experience in high-security manufacturing environments.
BEYOND TECHNOLOGY: TRANSFORMING PEOPLE AND PROCESSES
Being “The Transformer” extends beyond technical innovation. In 2020, I implemented a bold strategy of rotating engineer assignments, transforming knowledge silos into a collaborative ecosystem where every team member serves as both mentor and learner.
This transformation of team dynamics resulted in enhanced adaptability, stronger cohesion, and greater innovation capacity—a resilient and responsive engineering department ready for any challenge.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, industrial manufacturing requires more than just technical knowledge—it demands transformation leadership. As “The Transformer,” I bring the vision to see potential where others see obstacles, the technical breadth spanning software, mechanics, electronics, and automation, and the practical experience to implement real-world solutions that deliver measurable results.
THE TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES
The journey of “The Transformer” is ongoing. Each new challenge presents an opportunity to reimagine what’s possible, to convert complexity into simplicity, and to transform today’s manufacturing into tomorrow’s intelligent production ecosystems.
In an industry where evolution is constant, “The Transformer” isn’t just a nickname—it’s a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of manufacturing excellence.
Some projects implemented with transformation methodologies: Belgium Passport and Sweden Passport.