Skip to main content
search results
Sorry, but nothing matched your search terms. Sorry, but nothing matched your search terms. Sorry, but nothing matched your search terms. Désolé, mais rien ne correspond à vos critères de recherche. Désolé, mais rien ne correspond à vos critères de recherche. Entschuldigung, wir haben nichts zu diesem Suchbegriff gefunden.
Sorry, but we cannot handle your search query now. Please, try again later! Sorry, but we cannot handle your search query now. Please, try again later! Sorry, but we cannot handle your search query now. Please, try again later! Désolé, mais nous ne pouvons pas traiter votre demande. Veuillez réessayer plus tard ! Désolé, mais nous ne pouvons pas traiter votre demande. Veuillez réessayer plus tard ! Entschuldigung, wir können Ihre Suchanfrage zurzeit nicht bearbeiten. Bitte versuchen Sie es später noch einmal.

Ana

ISA/AsBO Evaluator – RAMS Engineer

Ana Albero
Scroll

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to pursue a career in STEM?

From a young age I was always better at maths and technology than I was at subjects like literature. In addition, I knew that, in my case, engineering offered a wealth of professional opportunities. 

On my first day of university, a professor said this career path had 0% unemployment, and I was determined to prove it true, both to myself and my classmates and friends. Even before finishing my degree, we all had jobs, and to this day, we are all still employed. 

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in STEM?

Fortunately, I haven’t faced any major challenges or difficulties as a woman in this sector. I know that wasn’t always the case, and it’s not the same for everyone, but I’ve always experienced equality. I haven’t seen any discrimination, and while female representation in this field used to be much lower, I’m really pleased to see how things are changing. 

What attracted you to join Expleo, and how has your experience been so far?

When I joined Expleo, I hadn’t yet finished university, and what really attracted me was the option to work remotely, as I live in Alicante and the office is in Madrid. Since I was still studying and couldn’t move, that flexibility was key for me. I feel that this flexibility is present throughout the company. 

At first, I thought working remotely might make it harder to build relationships within the workplace, but my experience has been the opposite. Expleo fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, they organise plenty of team-building activities, and I’ve been lucky enough to form some great relationships. Today, I can genuinely say I have friends at Expleo. 

Can you describe a particularly rewarding project or achievement you've had while working at Expleo?

So far, my experience at Expleo has been incredibly positive, as I’ve always felt supported and encouraged to complete my studies. They provided me with lots of flexibility and support. 

My biggest achievement to date, apart from the many I’ve had at work, was being able to finish my degree and see how that has positively impacted on my professional development. It’s been very rewarding

How would you describe the company culture at Expleo, particularly in terms of inclusivity and support for women in STEM?

In my experience, the company culture is one of non-distinction. Personally, I’ve never noticed any difference in the way men and women are treated within the company. I think this sense of equality strongly reflects a very inclusive environment. 

What does visibility, support and recognition mean to you at Expleo?

For me, these three aspects are very important. I believe they are deeply ingrained in Expleo’s culture, where good work is always recognised, and you’re given visibility. Knowing that your work and achievements are valued really motivates you to keep growing within the company, as well as on a personal level. 

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in STEM, especially those looking to join Expleo?

My advice would be: if you enjoy it, don’t hesitate to pursue it. Although STEM careers are often perceived as very challenging and traditionally dominated by men, they are no more difficult than other fields. In fact, from my perspective, careers that have historically been seen as female-dominated, such as medicine, can be even more demanding. Ultimately, the most important thing is for everyone to choose what they excel at and what they genuinely enjoy. 

Employee Stories

Related Stories

Ana

Cybersecurity engineer in Spain

Sergio

RAMS engineer for Technology and Safety in Transportation in Spain

Alvaro

RAMS engineer for software testing in Transportation in Spain

Robert Matthews

What is your name and your role and how long have you been working at Expleo?

This year I’m celebrating my 12th year at Expleo. I started my career at Expleo as a Quality Auditor contractor, and then was offered a Staff position in the Life Cycle Management team, where I became a Deputy Team Lead, after which there was another promotion opportunity to an Engineering Manager, and later I was able to join our Marine division where I currently work.

Where and how long did you serve in the armed forces?

I served in the Air Force just shy of 25 years. I started my career as an Aero Engines Mechanic. My first posting was at Brize Norton working on VC 10s, Tri Stars & Hercules Aircraft. Then I went on to a technician’s course and became a Junior Technician, and then progressed into a leadership position as a Sergeant. I left the Air Force as a Senior Non-commissioned Officer.  

Robert Mathews
Rob in 2022 post remembrance parade in his local village. Remembrance day is very important to serving and veterans of the forces as it gives a chance to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country

What challenges did you have after leaving the Armed Forces?

My main challenge was worrying about Job Security. My manager was very supportive when I was still a contractor at Expleo and he transferred me over from contractor to permanent staff. I remember the conversation I had with him about the opportunities for secure job security and promotion.

And he said: “At Expleo, opportunities are out there for you, so go and get them”. And he was right, there are plenty of opportunities at Expleo. You just have to seize them. And every time I saw an opportunity at Expleo, I just went for it. 

I transferred a lot of my skills over to Expleo. For instance, the aircraft and engine experience, experience in fault diagnosis, and more in-depth engineering project management and of course my leadership & Management Skills 

How did Expleo help you to transition into your civilian job?

I found it quite an easy transition, as there were a lot of ex-forces colleagues within Expleo when I joined, some of which I knew already. For those that didn’t have a military background they were equally as welcoming.

How do you feel Expleo allows you to use your expertise you gained during your service?

Expleo gave me the freedom to use my transferable skills that I gained in the Air Force. My manager and colleagues had an open mindset for my ideas. I could bring those ideas into the office and illustrate how they could be implemented within a business setting They very much welcomed my ideas about improvements, and there is always an open environment for sharing ideas and previous knowledge. I also completed an Expleo Leadership Management course, which differed to the one I had in the Air Force. Combining the two gave me a much more rounded leadership and management mindset.

How do you connect with other members of the Armed Forces Community at Expleo?

I participate in careers transition workshops supporting recruiters. When Ex-Forces are looking for a new career, I attend the workshops chatting to the Armed Forces community sharing my experience and what I have learned.

What advice would you give to other members of the Armed Forces Community who are planning to join Expleo?

Expleo has many different opportunities, whether it be leadership management, various jobs in engineering, project management etc. Don’t think that you don’t have the skill set to join Expleo. It is within you; you do have those skills and Expleo can bring out these skills in people.