Dreamers & Makers

How did you become CTE at Sener?

Becoming a CTE is a journey shaped by many projects, countless technical discussions and, above all, people who have served as role models. In my case, a particularly important influence has been my father, Fernando Llabrés, a senior process engineer, from whom I learnt early on a rigorous, honest and committed approach to engineering. Jorge Contreras, the previous CTE in my discipline, has also been instrumental: he was the person who suggested I embark on this journey within Sener, and I have learnt a great deal from him over the years. My career has been closely linked to process technology, energy and, in recent years, the development of solutions relating to renewable hydrogen and decarbonisation. I joined Sener as an intern in 2005 and subsequently became a member of staff in 2007. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work on projects such as Gate, AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) for submarines, renewable hydrogen projects and other technological developments, always as part of teams that have enabled me to grow both technically and professionally. I also see this recognition as a collective achievement: nobody gets this far alone. Reaching this stage in a career requires dedication and sacrifices, including beyond day-to-day work. Combining projects at the company with university teaching, supervising master’s dissertations and doctoral students, and working on a doctoral thesis requires considerable, sustained effort. Throughout this journey, my family’s support has been essential; without them, it would have been impossible to move forward with the same dedication while keeping sight of what truly matters.

What has been the most challenging project of your career?

I would particularly highlight the Gate project, an LNG regasification plant in Rotterdam. This project brought together technical, financial, safety and industrial scale-up challenges within an EPC project that had to be delivered fully operational and on schedule. I particularly remember the work on the recondenser, one of the plant’s key pieces of equipment, whose conception, design and commissioning I had the opportunity to contribute to. The process control system developed and the positive financial impact it generated for Sener were also particularly significant. The challenge was not simply to demonstrate that technology was viable, but to turn it into a robust, competitive solution that met a real need. That transition from a technological idea to a reliable industrial application is probably one of the most demanding and stimulating aspects of my career.

What value do you think the role of CTE brings to Sener?

I believe a CTE brings Sener a combination of in-depth technical knowledge, experience and a broad, interdisciplinary perspective. In my case, I believe I can make a particular contribution in areas such as hydrogen production, chemical processes, synthetic fuels, CO₂ capture, refining, gas and the circular economy, bringing together technical knowledge, industrial insight and client needs. The role also has an important connecting function: between areas and disciplines, between projects, between generations of professionals, and between technology and the company’s strategy.

How do you drive innovation and talent development?

I try to foster innovation from a very practical perspective: identifying real needs, understanding what we can contribute within Sener and helping ideas mature until they can become workable solutions and, where appropriate, be protected through industrial property rights. Talent is essential to this process. I think it is important to give teams context, confidence and demanding challenges, alongside close support. People develop considerably when they tackle difficult problems and feel that someone is there to help them. Also, as I combine my professional development at Sener with university teaching, I believe that attracting talent is a key aspect too, not just developing it.

How do you support teams through mentoring?

I try to base mentoring on specific project situations: a technical question, a calculation or an approach that needs to be checked. I support teams by helping them frame problems properly, identify significant risks and make well-founded decisions. In recent years, I have focused particularly on supporting more junior teams in their day-to-day work. I believe mentoring should not be about always providing the answer, but about helping each person develop their own judgement, autonomy and technical confidence. In my university teaching, I also always try to make classes practical: to give theory context and application, because I believe people learn better when they tackle a real problem or calculation and solve it themselves, rather than simply watching the lecturer work through an example. For me, mentoring is, above all, about taking a practical approach to problem-solving.

What skill do you consider key to convey or enhance?

For me, it is passion for your work. In my view, that attitude allows you to see things differently: not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to learn, create and contribute. In engineering, particularly in chemical processes, energy and hydrogen, it is easy to be drawn to quick solutions or intuitions that are not always well founded. That is why I believe it is essential to understand the problems we face properly so that we can develop responses, whether disruptive or not. Ultimately, it is about cultivating technical rigour. I have learnt this way of working particularly through technology development projects. This provides the foundation for technical judgement, which, for me, is one of the most valuable capabilities: knowing how to decide what matters, what does not, and what consequences each decision may have.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow in the technical field?

My main advice is to be persistent and curious. In my case, technology development projects have been particularly important because they helped me understand that technical judgement is developed by tackling real problems. Ultimately, these are real-world phenomena that need to be measured in laboratories and pilot plants; numbers alone are not enough. I would also recommend seeking role models, asking for others’ views and getting involved in complex problems. A technical career requires perseverance, but it can be enormously rewarding when approached with a sense of vocation and a desire to add value.

What trends will shape the future in your sector?

In my sector, the main trends will be shaped by the need to decarbonise industry and transform the energy system. Hydrogen, synthetic fuels, CO₂ capture and utilisation, process electrification and the efficient use of raw materials will play an increasingly important role. In this context, I believe Sener can contribute knowledge, technology and distinctive engineering expertise. However, the main challenge will not be technological alone, but industrial too: ensuring these solutions are reliable, scalable, safe and economically viable. Over the coming years, we will see many technologies move from demonstration to a more demanding deployment phase, where combining in-depth technical knowledge with market insight and delivery capability will be essential.

What motivates you most about your work as a CTE?

What motivates me most is the opportunity to work on technical challenges that have a real impact. I am particularly interested in that combination of technological depth, teamwork and purpose: developing solutions that can help transform industry, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create value for society. But if I had to highlight more personal motivation, I would say it is learning. I have a strong thirst for knowledge, not only within my own discipline but also across many other technical fields. I enjoy understanding how things work, connecting concepts from different fields and discovering how that knowledge can become useful solutions. I am also motivated by supporting other professionals in their technical development, because often one of the greatest impacts an expert can have lies not just in solving a specific problem, but in helping the organisation improve its ability to solve complex problems. Technical excellence undoubtedly adds value, but good relationships with colleagues, a positive attitude and generosity in sharing knowledge multiply the impact of what we can achieve together.

How do you imagine your role will evolve in the coming years?

I envisage CTEs becoming more closely involved in challenges that require different disciplines to work together and technological decisions to be linked to business strategy. In my field, I believe this evolution will be particularly evident in renewable energy sectors and technologies focused on industrial decarbonisation. In this context, the CTE can play a key role in bridging accumulated experience, new technologies, teams and Sener’s vision for the future.