In this insightful interview, we sit down with Marcello Nitti, a dedicated R&D Engineer at Engibex, who has been making significant strides in the field of renewable energy and fluid dynamics. With a Mechanical Engineering background and a Research Master’s in Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamics, Marcello combines his passion for solving climate change with his expertise in engineering. Join us as he shares his professional journey, the innovative projects he’s working on, and how Engibex’s unique culture fosters growth, collaboration, and a balanced work-life environment.

1. Introduction Questions:

– How long have you been with Engibex, and what is your current position?

I have been with the company for 9 months and I am currently working as a Research and Developer Engineer at one of our clients’ (Groupe Atlantique Manufacturing Belgium (GAMB)). The objective of the project is to boost the efficiency of two products, HeatMaster and WaterMaster, in the range of 25 – 120 kW.

– Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming an engineer and what drew you to this field?

I started my path as a Mechanical Engineer. I chose this path because I have always been fascinated by the phenomena that surround us and how humankind has been able to create machines and push limits step by step. At the time, the mechanical path was among the most comprehensive engineering studies, allowing me to study chemistry, thermodynamics, physics, fluid dynamics, energy systems, and principles of mechanics. During my studies, I became aware of the problem of climate change and wanted to contribute to solving it. This led me to continue my path as an Energy Engineer specializing in Renewable Energies. However, my passion for fluid dynamics remained strong, so I decided to gain more knowledge in this area by undertaking a Research Master’s in Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamics. In this way, I was able to merge my two passions: helping others by addressing the climate change problem and fluid dynamics. Nowadays, I would define myself as an Energy Engineer with a mechanical background, specializing in the Renewable Sector and Fluid Dynamics.

2. Company Fit:

– What aspects of Engibex’s culture stood out to you when you first joined the company?

Five main aspects: Trust, transparency and open communication, entrepreneurial mindset, work-life balance, and inclusive atmosphere. I immediately noticed the first aspect during the interview process. David, the founder of the company, wanted to know me personally, and we had a wonderful 1-hour call. Moreover, he tried to be there when I visited the office for the first time. This trust and open communication ensure a transparent flow of information throughout the company, making sure everyone is aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. Engibex encourages an entrepreneurial mindset through innovative thinking and allows us to take ownership of our projects. Another important aspect of the company is work-life balance. There is a strong culture of respecting personal time, which creates a healthy and sustainable work environment. This balance helps maintain high productivity and job satisfaction. Finally, the company actively promotes diversity and inclusion. You can find consultants of different nationalities and from all over the world.

– How do you feel Engibex differentiates itself from other engineering consultancy firms you’ve encountered?

The company pays great attention to its consultants and truly cares about all its employees. Their objective is to have happy consultants who are continuously learning new things and are dedicated to the projects they are working on. We can summarize this as an employee-centric culture. The company invests in its people through flexible work arrangements and a supportive environment that prioritizes employee satisfaction and well-being. As a cherry on the cake, the company also strives to maintain strong client relationships. Engibex prioritizes long-term partnerships and collaborates closely with clients to understand their needs, ensuring effective solutions and proposing tailored consultants for the challenge.

3. Project Experience:

– Can you describe a project at Engibex that significantly impacted your professional growth? What lessons did you learn from it?

The current project I am working on. It combines research and development. It involves research because I can test new ideas on the products of the client, run several experimental campaigns, and define new strategies to try to boost their efficiency. It also involves development because it focuses on creating tangible products that need to be produced and sold on the market. I have been involved in the decision-making process for the design of a new potential product. I learned several lessons and continue learning something new. The main lessons so far include effective communication, client relations, and sharpening the already developed problem-solving skills. Moreover, this project has diversified my portfolio as I am acting also as a Test and Project Engineer. I am improving my technical skills and broadening my understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration. On a daily base, I interact with lab technicians and work closely with project managers to improve how to effectively manage various aspects of the project, from budget to decision-making.

– How does Engibex support you in overcoming technical challenges during complex projects?

Encouraging the entrepreneurial mindset by letting me try my own way out. The trial-and-error approach is the best one since it allows me to truly learn and think out of the box. If needed, I have access to various training programs, workshops, and certifications to ensure I stay updated with the latest technologies and best practices.

4. Professional Growth:

– In what ways has Engibex contributed to your professional development since you joined?

Engibex is committed to professional development by providing access to continuous learning opportunities and paying for certifications, courses, and training programs. This helps me stay up-to-date and at the forefront of the engineering field. In addition, it organizes networking events within the company combined with team-building activities.

– Can you share an example of how Engibex has encouraged or facilitated your continuous learning and skill enhancement?

The lab I am working with requires having a BA4 certificate. Engibex ensured I completed the training to stay safe and up to date. I have worked with electric circuits in my previous jobs, and I had to learn by doing. This time, I was able to follow a training program to understand the advised practices, both good and bad. Another example I can think of is a French course. I initially learned French by myself, but to further boost my fluency, Engibex allowed me to follow courses if I wanted to.

5. Collaboration and Teamwork:

– How does Engibex ensure effective communication and teamwork across different projects and departments?

The company organizes some team-building activities that help improve interpersonal skills, strengthen relationships, and keep everyone updated on the projects their colleagues are working on. Additionally, all employees are connected through a unique channel where everyone has access to the telephone numbers of other team members, making it easy to reach out to colleagues. Finally, the main achievements and successes, such as a new member joining the team or progress on a project, are shared on this channel.

6. Industry Trends and Technologies:

– Which recent technological advancements in engineering do you find most intriguing, and how is Engibex incorporating these into its projects?

Interesting question. I would say my interests range from the Internet of Things (IoT) to biotechnology/advanced materials and, of course, energy storage and renewable energy technologies. Thanks to IoT, we can gather data in real-time. This can be useful for remote monitoring leading to predictive maintenance and smart grids to ensure electricity distribution remains balanced, considering the variability of renewable energy intake, and extends to smart homes. In biotechnology and advanced materials, what amazes me are their unique properties, such as self-healing, lightweight, and high-strength characteristics. For energy storage solutions, I think of battery systems installations in combination with the aforementioned smart grid solutions to efficiently balance supply and demand.

One example of how Engibex is involved or is incorporating these technological advancements is a project focused on the electrification of trains. There is a team dedicated to finding the best configuration to cool a series of battery cell packs. Another project is the one I am currently working on. It aims to boost the efficiency of energy storage products by reducing gas consumption, thereby accelerating the energy transition toward renewable sources. In general, the company is involved in projects related to marine wind turbines, energy atolls, solar cell development, smart grids, and nuclear energy.

7. Work-Life Balance and Culture:

– How does Engibex help you maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life?

Engibex allows employees to work from home or other locations if needed, reducing commuting time and providing a more flexible work environment. Additionally, it offers flexible working hours (in-out), allowing employees to manage errands without feeling stressed. The company encourages employees to follow their passions with a flexible working policy. Once you complete the working hours of the day, you are free to meet friends, engage in activities, or manage personal tasks. It does not encourage staying overtime. Moreover, the company organizes team-building events and activities that promote relaxation and enjoyment, contributing to a more balanced and engaged workforce. It also monitors the consultants’ well-being through one-on-one meetings to discuss workload, stress levels, and any support the employee may need.

– Can you describe an aspect of Engibex’s culture that you particularly appreciate and why?

I would say the attention to all the consultants and the strong work ethic. I was pleasantly surprised that David wants to personally know all the consultants. He is friendly, easily reachable, and makes sure you feel part of the team even before you start working with them.

8. Advice for Aspiring Engineers:

– What do you think is the most important quality for engineers to succeed at Engibex?

Being proactive, balancing project priorities, and, most importantly, understanding how to communicate with the client. Effective communication facilitates collaboration, helps resolve conflicts, and ensures that all team members are aligned on project goals and tasks.

– What guidance would you offer to young engineers looking to build a career in engineering consultancy?

It may seem trivial, but be curious. Be eager to learn something new and ask questions. Ask, ask, ask. You never know where a question might lead; the good thing is that they are free. Finally, do not be afraid to make mistakes. Usually, we see them as/from a negative perspective. However, thanks to them, we learn and can push things ahead.