Several times a year, we take you behind the scenes at Sensile Technologies to meet one of our team members. Today, we invite you to meet Rafaella Bastos Vieira, Electronic Test Engineer.
A multi-faceted profession
Rafaella Bastos Vieira joined Sensile Technologies just over three years ago, when she was studying for her master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland. Today, in her role as Electronic Test Engineer, she explores a wide range of areas: hardware, software and even mechanics or 3D printing, depending on requirements. What does she like about her job? The variety of tasks and the freedom to juggle several projects, touching on different disciplines.
Rafaella’s daily routine is punctuated by a multitude of tasks and projects that demand rigour and ingenuity. At the moment, for example, she is working on changing a component that needs to be sized using simulations and then modified on the electronic board and tested – a component barely half a millimetre in size, essential to the operation of a telemetry unit. Some time ago, for another product, she conceived and designed a housing intended to hold the electronic board in place and protect its components from deposits that could cause short circuits. Rafaella is also working on developing various electronic boards, such as the test bench, a universal platform for testing current products.
A passion for electronics discovered later in life
Before turning to electronics, Rafaella initially trained and began her career in economics and commerce. But she soon realised that she wanted a technical career. So, she explored a number of avenues, doing work placements, considering IT or electricity… until she discovered electronics, a field that combines the two worlds and opens up many new prospects.
It all clicked. At the age of 24, she began an apprenticeship, followed by a bachelor’s degree. She thought she’d stop there, but she didn’t count on the energy of a close-knit group of students: together, they embarked on a Master’s degree while employed. Motivating and supporting each other, they took up this demanding challenge and succeeded: everyone graduated. It was an adventure that Rafaella will never forget, as much for the strength of the group as for the commitment required to reconcile study and work.
A love for sport
When she’s not at work, Rafaella is an avid road cyclist, runner and snowboarder. During her travels, she takes the opportunity to surf and, as of late, kitesurf.
Her next target? A half-marathon, which she is training for with her running partner. And in the future, why not a marathon? Rafaella’s approach to sport reflects her mindset: perseverance and the desire to surpass herself.
Visit Rafaella Bastos Vieira’s LinkedIn profile to find out more about her career.