Rodrigo Álvarez
Industrial Engineer & Project Manager
About me
I hold a master's degree in Electromechanical engineerig as well as in Project Management. Currently, I reside in Madrid, Spain, where I work as a product engineer at Flowserve and also teach part-time at ICAI.
Passionate about cool things that make a difference. In the past, I've been directly involved in product design at companies like Indra Sistemas, HP Inc., Altran, and LyC.
Overview
Residence
Madrid, Spain
Status
Always listening to new ideas
Experience
R&D Product Engineer
January 2022 - Ongoing
Duties
At present, I hold the position of a product engineer and oversee the “Form, fit, and function” aspects of Flowserve’s multi-stage pump series. While located in Madrid, I am responsible for managing these pumps’ features and ensuring their compatibility across various manufacturing sites worldwide.
My duties encompass maintaining the existing pump series whenever feasible and actively contributing to the enhancement of the current lineup. With a focus on a “Design to Value” approach, my goal is to reduce costs and complexity while simultaneously improving performance and specifications.
Project Manager
October 2018 - December 2021
Duties
At Indra, I was responsible for overseeing research and development projects in the field of airborne defense. Specifically, I served as a coordinator for a consortium comprising four European companies, working together to create an electronic warfare system.
My responsibilities encompassed various aspects, including budget management, monitoring development costs and schedules, and serving as the point of contact for project updates. I effectively communicated the project’s progress to European Union officials and national stakeholders, representing the entire consortium in these interactions.
Before, I managed development and manufacturing projects in the transport division of Indra.To successfully manage tight deadlines, I fostered a result-oriented mentality among team members to deliver projects in time.
Mechanical R&D Engineer
October 2016 - September 2018
Duties
In the role of a subsystem integrator and mechanical designer, I was accountable for fluid delivery systems. My primary responsibilities included stabilizing the product and providing initial customer support for the Agent delivery system in the HP 3200/4200 3D Jet Fusion printer.
Additionally, I played a crucial role in brainstorming ideas and concepts for new platforms, modeling these concepts, and implementing test beds for future 3D platforms. This involved actively contributing to the development and design of innovative systems in the field of 3D printing
I worked on developing a highly complex and cost-effective fluid transport and recirculation system for White latex inks in the HP Latex 64-inch printer. By seamlessly integrating a firmware and electronics team with the mechanical design, we achieved a collaborative approach and created a reliable platform.
Mechanical Engineering dept. professor
September 2019 – Ongoing
Mechanical Engineering dept. assistant student
September 2014 – June 2016
Duties
Robotics and Flexible Cell Manufacturing Lab teacher as well as final masters thesis advisor.
I undertook investigation in Reverse engineering techniques to research for automatic error correction and calibration in 3D FDM printers.
As a student, I actively participated in research endeavors focused on pioneering advancements in fields like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and 3D printing, which were considered groundbreaking at the time. This involvement earned me a teaching position at the university.
Intern - R&D Engineer
June 2015 - September 2015
Duties
80%
During my last year at university, I had the opportunity to join the Aerospace R&D department, where I actively participated in the development of a rear auxiliary hybrid propulsion device tailored for narrow-body Airbus aircraft. The primary objective of this innovation was to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Utilizing my CAD skills, I made valuable contributions to the mechanical design and system integration of the project while learining the insides of the aeronautical industry.
Intern - R&D Product Development Engineer
May 2013 – September 2013
June 2014 – September 2014
Duties
By applying reverse engineering techniques such as laser scanning, I provided the client with an economic alternative replacement parts for existing land platform simulation, later we were awarded the manufacturing of a new set of simulators due to our acquired knowledge
Assistance in product specification and design in call for tenders for the Spanish “Ministry of Defence” . By understanding the needs of the customers and the application of open source solutions we reduced development costs while keeping a high customer satisfaction.
Education
Universidad Ramon LLul (La Salle) - Barcelona, Spain
2016 - 2018
MSc. Project Management
Final Master Thesis:
“Strategic purchase proposal in the civil aeronautics industry.”
Universidad Pontificia Comillas ( ICAI) - Madrid, Spain
2014 - 2016
MSc. Industrial Engineering
2010 - 2014
BSc. Electro-Mechanical Engineering
Final Master Thesis:
“Development of a fixed wing drone with vertical take off and landing capabilities”. (Award to best thesis). Link to document
Final Degree Thesis:
“Development of highly efficient unmanned aerial vehicle for small load transportation”. (Distinction with Honour). Link to document
Languages
Spanish - Native
French - B2 CEFR
Engineering & I.T Skills
CAD/CAM/CAE
I’m a bit of a CAD nerd. Lately I’m more into solidworks, but I could be considered an advanced user in all
- Catia V5 – Designed aerospace industry parts for an R&D project at Altran, mainly using the generative surface module. Also used while at LyC for mechanical design of machined and sheet metal parts using the respective modules
- SolidWorks – Developed final thesis; used to reverse engineer complex aerodynamic surfaces and big assemblies.
- SolidEdge – Formal learning at university and development of small projects, also used as a side tool at Indra
- PTC Creo – Extensively used while working at HP together with Model Manager (PLM) for mechanical design and drawing generation.
- Ansys – Used with all of the above for both structural and fluid simulations.
- Geomagic Studio & Design X – Scanned ergonomic and aerodynamic surfaces of existing objects with a FARO laser arm to bring physical objects to the digital space. Experience in both academic and professional workspaces.
- Windchill – Used extensively at Flowserve.
Programming Languages
- C++
- Python
- Matlab
- Visual Basic
Office
- Advanced Excel
- Advanced Word
- Macro Coding
Other Skills
Taken part in scientific dissemination activities to encourage STEM studies.
Driving; I currently own a car and I am looking forward to restore a classic motorcycle (DONE!)
Hardware Hacker and tinkerer (see my Blog)
I am enthusiast of outdoor sports: Snowboarding, Trekking, Kiteboarding
Volunteered for NGO “ICAI Engineers for development”
I love travelling for work or for leisure
Rodrigo Álvarez Hernández
Industrial Engineer & Project Manager