Managing daily operations of a 105-person satellite control center, composed of four divisions and split in two geographical locations (Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro). Within this role, I propose and manage budgets and other resource allocation, personnel-related issues, scheduling, training, and coaching. I also define and track team/project KPIs and oversee risk management efforts. Furthermore, I lead organization-wide process standardization and provide recommendations for improvement to senior leaders.

In 2017, I was assigned as the Head of The Engineering Division at Brazil’s Air Force Space Operations Center that controlled one geostationary satellite communication operated the payload of an Earth Observation satellite. The operations are split into two sites 1,000 kilometers apart with the mission of controlling and employing satellites and their payloads, supporting Brazilian MoD in all areas relative to satellite uses, and performing research to optimize satellite operations. The Center employs 107 individuals across 24/7 satellite operations, regular and on-call support operations, and administration offices.In my role, I managed engineering, planning, budgeting, human resources, and training of both company and military personnel while providing guidance for control and payload divisions/functions. I defined strategy and technology roadmaps for new satellite development while ensuring cooperation and collaboration between electronics, mechanics, aeronautics, chemical, propulsion, optics, software, and control teams. The path for R&D in satellite control as established.

In 2014, I was assigned by the Brazilian Air Force to the Thales Alenia Space Program in Cannes, France, Europe’s largest satellite manufacturer. The Cannes site handles R&D, design, manufacturing, integration, and testing of several satellites per year, including the SGDC Communications Satellite (ordered by the Brazilian Air Force). I managed the MoD engineering team working on electronics architecture, systems engineering, IT ground architecture, manufacturing, and testing.

Promoted to lead 8 direct reports for the PMO office that was charged with managing satellite launchers R&D and rocket projects for the institute; the office employs 700+ individuals on various R&D, testing, and integration teams across multiple locations. In this role, I drove collaboration between R&D teams while gaining technical acceptance of the design and testing results for laboratory and flight tests.Additionally, I oversaw risk management and acted as Launch Vehicle Configuration Manager, overseeing the configuration management team in product releases. I also lectured and instructed systems engineering aspects of the Weapons System Extension Course and the Inertial Systems Course for Space Engineering, working with both postgrad and graduate-level students.

As Head of Engineering, I served on the R&D team for weapon systems development while managing 20 technicians and 25 engineers in daily operations and special projects. Among my achievements, I maintained configuration systems and provided expert analysis of the systems design, seeker design, control laws (seeker, guidance and navigation), algorithms, and aircraft interface for development purposes.

After I completed my PhD, I was assigned to lead multidisciplinary teams on diverse projects such as R&D of a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). During this time, I created system architecture for multiple projects, designed test plans and procedures for product certification, and implemented control laws for advanced high-performance systems. Additionally, I developed simulation models and control laws, coding in C/C++ for real-time use on weapon systems.

Took active part in the business plan for a new could-based, micro-controller based, distributed security product. Created the development team from ground-up and led the whole R&D cycle, from inception to launch. The system was based on the IoT concept, with distributed sensors and processing, using central database for BigData applications.

Professor responsible for the Computer Grapgics and Formal Language and Compilers disciplines (undergraduate level).

During this time, I mastered the skill of using simulation models and control laws code in C/C++. I also integrated a team that was responsible for the integration of new-technology subsystems (missiles) into older-generation complex systems (military aircraft).I subsequently transferred to the US to complete a Ph.D.