With a background in Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Felix Batista knows a thing or two about the importance of innovation for industries to evolve and flourish. We had a chat with him about his new role as Innovation Manager at Volvo Group, and how he, despite rumors of Sweden’s volatile weather, truly appreciates the changing of the seasons.
Hey Felix! What’s your story?
I was born in Recife, Brazil, in 1992, and I have a deep passion for technology. I graduated in Mechatronics engineering and studied Aerospace and Nuclear engineering as minors at university. I have worked in many fields throughout my career, from medical equipment to vehicles, and most of the time, I have worked as a Product Manager. My passion lies in developing products that require complex technologies.
You’re starting a new position as an Innovation Manager at Volvo. Sounds like a great fit.
This is a brand-new step in my career but connected to what I have been working on so far. Since my first day on the job, I was already involved in startups – living innovation every day. I was always on the other side of the fence, being managed, mentored, and assisted by incubators and accelerators. Now is the time for me to give back to the community, helping, from the accelerator side, to grow startups into full-fledged companies.
So, on a daily basis, what will you be doing?
I will be mentoring and assisting startups within the Volvo Group environment to adapt and take advantage of Volvo’s infrastructure and expertise, as well as helping them find customers.
As a Brazilian native, what do you like most about Sweden?
Despite what everyone says, I like the weather. I like that we have cold winter days and hot summer days. We have our moments to be at home and moments to be outside. Enjoying the sun all the way until 10 p.m. I love to see the flowers bloom and the falling leaves. There is this constant change happening all the time that makes you appreciate your time.
Was it hard adapting?
It was pretty easy for me, actually. Some things are similar, and some pose a little bit of a challenge. But nothing that can’t be fixed or adapted.
There is this constant change happening all the time that makes you appreciate your time.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I’m a DIYer, and I work on a ton of projects on the side, from 3D printing parts to welding chassis. I love to solder PCB boards and program applications. So, if it’s about technology, count me in.
How do you maintain a work-life balance, considering your wide variety of personal interests?
In Sweden, it’s actually pretty easy: companies respect your time off and also don’t expect you to work extra hours every single day. Therefore, there is plenty of time to dedicate to your projects.
What excites you most about the future of your career?
Technology is always growing and becoming more capable. There are so many things that we are just about to be capable of doing, and yet, we have such a long road ahead. I want to see where this takes us.
Any pro tips for new developers and engineers considering the consultancy path?
Go for it! It is the best way to try different projects and also to transition from one path to another. It’s really flexible and stable considering how much our fields are changing year to year.
Lastly, can you share a memorable experience or accomplishment from your time here at Sebratec?
A really nice accomplishment I have working at Sebratec was diving into the internal onboarding project, making the experience for new consultants easier and more scalable. I think many people will benefit from it in the coming months and years.
