I’m a Technical Lead, Full-Stack Software Engineer and Service Manager within Starion’s Ground Segment competence area. I’ve worked here for over a decade!
What’s your role?
I work at Starion Group as a Technical Lead, Full-Stack Software Engineer and Service Manager within the Ground Segment competence area. I’ve been with the company for over a decade now, having joined in 2014.
I’m currently based in Madrid, although I previously lived for several years in Darmstadt, Germany. I work primarily on projects for the European Space Agency’s European Space Operations Centre (ESA ESOC), which is based in Darmstadt, operating in a fully remote setup within a highly collaborative international environment.
What’s a typical day in your working life like?
My days are usually quite dynamic, shaped by the different roles I take on. Mornings often begin with checking in on current priorities – reviewing open topics, following up on requests or preparing for coordination meetings. From there, it can be a mix of planning discussions, collaborative problem-solving or working independently on development tasks.
Some hours are spent reviewing, writing or documenting – whether it’s code, processes or user-facing content – while others are spent aligning with colleagues, discussing how to move a feature forward or improve a service. I also dedicate time to supporting ongoing services: responding to user questions, identifying possible improvements or ensuring that everything is running as expected.
The balance of my day depends on what’s needed. Some days are more focused and technical, while others are more about communication, making decisions or adapting to unexpected situations. That variety is part of what keeps the work engaging.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most is being part of an industry that is constantly pushing the boundaries of science and technology. Working on projects that support space missions and AI innovation is both intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding. There’s a real sense of purpose in knowing that the work we do has a tangible impact on operations that reach beyond our planet.
I also appreciate the collaborative spirit that defines our work environment. Every project is a chance to exchange ideas, tackle challenges as a team and grow through shared expertise. That dynamic, open-minded atmosphere makes the work not only effective but genuinely enjoyable.
What has been your most memorable career highlight?
It’s difficult to single out one achievement, but a few stand out for their scope and impact. One of the most rewarding has been my involvement in the conception and development of AINabler: a modular platform designed to support the creation and deployment of AI-based applications across various operational domains at ESA.
At the same time, I take great pride in having successfully led the support service for MOIS [Starion’s Mission Operations Information System tool suite] over several years. Ensuring its stability, resolving critical issues and supporting major missions like JUICE and ExoMars has been a consistent and meaningful challenge – one that combines technical depth with long-term operational responsibility.
Each of these milestones has deepened my passion for combining innovation with practical impact in the space sector.
Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in your area of expertise?
Start by building a solid foundation in software engineering principles and get comfortable working across both back-end and front-end technologies. From there, look for opportunities to get hands-on with DevOps practices and AI integration, as these are becoming increasingly relevant in engineering roles, especially in space and critical infrastructure domains.
Beyond technical skills, what really makes a difference is curiosity, a collaborative mindset and the ability to communicate clearly, whether you’re working with code or people. Most of our work happens in dynamic interdisciplinary teams, so being adaptable and open to feedback is key.
How do you wind down?
I enjoy the simple things: taking long walks with my greyhound, sharing a beer with friends or planning the next adventure with my husband, because travelling and discovering new places together is one of the things that brings me the most joy.
In my free time, I’m especially interested in emerging trends in technology and how they’re shaping the world around us: something I often explore through books, films and conversations. Who knows – it might one day turn into a sci-fi plot when I finally sit down to write that novel!