Mayre Alvarez Sabater

Mayre Alvarez Sabater, Electrical Design Engineer

1. What’s your professional background and how did you first become interested in this field?
I’ve always been fascinated by engineering because it requires problem solving skills and it provides a wide range of opportunities, which is what led me to opt for Automation and Control Engineering at the University of Havana. After completing my degree I started working as an Electrical Design Engineer, which gave me a good understanding of the field. 

Working in Industry, I have been generally involved in the development and maintenance of electrical control systems and components according to required specifications. Assisted by computer-aided design (CAD), we as Electrical Design Engineers, go from the concept and detail of the design, through to implementation, testing and handover of the system. One of the positive aspects about this career is that you feel great satisfaction when after working on a project, it is successful. 
 

2. Can you walk us through a typical day?
As an Electrical Design Engineer I’m usually involved in projects focused on the storage ring operation. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary project team, I produce electrically detailed design drawings for electrical systems such as motion control, vacuum control, insertion devices among others, with the purpose of either improving or maintaining the machine operation. A detailed design is the key phase in which a project’s costs are defined and set. It also offers the guidelines for the installation by technicians.

3. What do you enjoy about your job?
One of the good things about working at Diamond is that it always has something new to offer. There is always something new to learn about, which keeps me motivated and provides me with exciting challenges. The friendly and professional environment you can find here makes everything easier. 

4. What advice would you give to someone wanting to get involved in your field?
I believe deciding on Electrical Design Engineering is a rewarding choice, where team work is essential. Getting enrolled in summer internships may help to give a clearer idea of what being an Electrical Design Engineer means, and it gives you the opportunity of putting the theory into practice. But above all make sure you enjoy what you do.