Miguel - Group Lead Mechatronic System Design

What does it mean to be a Group Lead at VDL ETG T&D?

‘’To me, being a Group Lead at VDL ETG T&D is about bridging gaps and fostering collaboration. One of the key challenges I face is improving organisational efficiency and teamwork. It’s up to me to bring a perspective on working together, merging different viewpoints into a unified vision and guiding my team to make it happen.

Within the Mechatronic System Design team, I identify the core skills and knowledge behaviours required to advance our technology. One crucial skill is requirements engineering. Validation of the design is another example, as is motion control tuning techniques or making high-precision positioning stages. By identifying the building blocks of these processes, I can ensure our team has the skills to master them. I serve as a voice of reason in technology development, acting as the gatekeeper of our technological processes and projects.''

What are the important aspects of being a successful Group Lead?

‘’In my opinion, the combination of three aspects defines the important aspects of the Group Lead role. Firstly, leading, communicating, and sharing experiences with a large and diverse group of people is crucial. Being a good listener—not just to respond, but to truly understand—is essential. Effective communication is vital to creating an environment for engineers to grow.

Secondly, it’s about understanding the fascinating technology we work on in-house. We strike a great balance between daring to try new technologies and contributing to innovations while witnessing cutting-edge designs firsthand. Technical know-how is crucial for competence development.  It’s because of the exciting technology that I joined VDL ETG T&D.

Lastly, you don't just watch; you actively participate in the company's impact. Being hands-on and tackling challenges within your team allows you to make a significant impact. It's my responsibility to understand the needs of both the company and my group and merge these into a solid vision of what we want to achieve.’’

What is the biggest challenge you are facing as a Group Lead?

‘’We have grown over 50% in FTE over the last few years, additionally, we are building innovative machines in-house that solve our customers' biggest challenges. One of the biggest tasks that I’m facing with my team is defining short-term and long-term priorities. You have 1 million matters to take on and you decide the priority.

We are fortunate to work with very passionate people. Their strong viewpoints and driven personalities can make discussion lively. My challenge is to keep everyone focused on our common goal, this is the bottom line. Aligning our actions with the shared vision can mean stepping away from differing perspectives and encouraging empathy by seeing things from others' viewpoints. Sometimes the Group Lead has to decide alongside this acknowledged vision.’’

Can you share an example of how you've made an impact as a Group Lead?

‘’The ambition of the mechatronics team is to become the best motion control engineers in the world. We aim to create a workplace where engineers enjoy working, can develop themselves, and excel in their chosen fields such as robotics, precision machinery or mechanical design.

I could easily pinpoint areas where I could make a significant impact from my Group Lead position. You contribute to building the company while coaching and helping people. This dual role motivates me, knowing I can make a difference in others' lives on both small and larger topics.

For instance, over the past year and a half, I've focused on creating an in-depth onboarding program for junior mechatronic engineers at VDL ETG T&D. This program helps them kickstart their careers. Together with fellow Group Lead Niels, I’ve defined the core competencies of junior engineers and their first-year tasks. We've designed the program to address the most crucial aspects.’’

Ready to join the Group Leads team? Find the job openings here.