Interview with Federico Pagani, Senior Application Engineer at 40Factory

In an increasingly digitalized business landscape, technological evolution has become essential. In this context, the role of the Application Engineer is crucial to ensuring the proper functioning and quality of software applications. To better explore this fundamental role, we interviewed Federico Pagani, Senior Application Engineer at 40Factory.

Federico, tell us a bit about yourself: what was your educational path?

I graduated in Engineering Physics from the Politecnico di Milano, focusing on photonics and the physics of ionizing radiation during my master’s program. I completed my final exams during the Erasmus program at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, and later carried out my master’s thesis project at the University of Wollongong in Australia. My research focused on using innovative techniques to treat tumors resistant to conventional radiation, with an experimental phase conducted at the HIMAC accelerator in Chiba, Japan.

How did you start your career as an Application Engineer, and what were your main motivations?

I initially joined 40Factory as a Data Scientist, eager to apply the skills I had acquired at university to the context of industrial machinery and to deepen my understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning, fields I began exploring after graduation. Later, driven by both an affinity for the role and the demands of the context, I progressively dedicated myself to the technical management of projects alongside clients. This led me to configure our services according to their specific needs and provide continuous support over time, eventually evolving into the role of Application Engineer.

Explain your role in more detail: in short, what does the role of an Application Engineer entail?

An Application Engineer serves as the technical link between the internally developed product and the needs of the clients who will use it. The process begins with consulting with clients to understand how their machines operate and identifying how they can benefit from the tools we offer. Then, we move on to the configuration phase, adapting our MAT technology to their specific requirements, leveraging the experience gained from other clients who faced similar challenges during their digital transformation. This is followed by long-term support, which includes product updates, gathering feedback and new requests, assisting in product presentations to end customers, and more.

What are the most common challenges you encounter in your daily work, and how do you overcome them?

One of the most frequent challenges is introducing highly innovative concepts and tools into traditional sectors, where established practices have always been considered reliable, or where there’s a lack of time for training and updates. In this context, it’s crucial to communicate the importance of this digital transition at all levels, from managers to line operators, to maintain the internal drive necessary to continue on this path.

In your opinion, what are the key skills and soft skills needed to work in this field?

Having a scientific-engineering background is certainly an advantage, as it promotes continuous learning of new tools and techniques. This education enables you to effectively tackle problems, even with limited data, and to continually expand your skill set in response to emerging needs. Additionally, it’s essential to manage and plan work effectively and transparently, both for yourself and for others you collaborate with, including clients. Finally, a good dose of patience and kindness is equally important, as a calm environment and trustworthy relationships always lead to optimal and long-term performance.

What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on recently, and what were the results?

As an Application Engineer, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many projects, each with its own particularities, depending on the client’s industry and how their team interfaces and manages innovation projects. The work is always varied and highly stimulating, so it’s hard to pick a specific project. However, if I had to choose one, I’d mention when the company introduced the training service for Application Engineers. From that moment on, I had to organize my knowledge and develop a training plan to effectively pass on my skills to others, taking into account the students’ backgrounds. This assignment allowed me to view my work from a new perspective and further consolidate my skills. It was a true process of continuous growth, both for myself and my colleagues, and it marked an important step in my professional career.

What are the most important aspects to consider when interacting with a client to deliver a solution that meets their expectations?

To provide a solution that meets the client’s expectations, it’s essential to maintain clear and consistent communication, listen carefully to their needs, and manage expectations realistically. Detailed planning and regular updates help prevent misunderstandings. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for addressing changes and unexpected challenges. Moreover, a professional and courteous attitude fosters a collaborative and calm working environment. Finally, meeting agreed deadlines and promptly communicating alternative solutions in case of delays is fundamental to building a trusting relationship with the client.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career as an Application Engineer?

To pursue a career like mine, it’s important to build a solid technical foundation, develop advanced problem-solving and debugging skills, and hone soft skills such as effective communication, time management, and teamwork. Staying updated with emerging technologies and investing in continuous education is essential. Additionally, gaining practical experience through personal projects, internships, and certifications can make a big difference. These steps will help you start your career on the right foot.

40Factory’s team of application engineers

Those aspiring to this role must be prepared to adapt quickly to change, invest in continuing education, and value technical and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with clients and teams.

Nicola Bosoni

The most fascinating aspect of this work is to immerse oneself in the discovery of machinery and production processes, each unique, but all indispensable to the world in which we live.

Saverio Ghelfi

The role of the application engineer is extremely varied and involves many areas of engineering and beyond. Responsibilities range from writing code, typical of the software engineer, to defining new KPIs, the competence of the automation engineer, to proposing new modules for customers, an activity that requires commercial skills. This diversity makes the job a real challenge, where every day there is something new to learn and discover.

Lorenzo Serafini

The cross-functional nature of the Application Engineer role is a great asset for those who wish to expand their skills. You quickly move from systems and networks to project management and technical dialogue with the customer. All this creates an eclectic and easily adaptable professional figure.

Alessandro Dieci