Meet – Eduardo Sanchez, Lead Process Engineer

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Eduardo Sanchez

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Eduardo Sanchez: “Engineering at Keppel Seghers Belgium is a continuous improvement process. We learn from trial and error, knowning the next iteration will be better.”

Redefining the art of process engineering in the Waste-to-Energy industry

On March 17, 2020, Eduardo Sanchez started working as a Process Engineer at Keppel Seghers Belgium (KSBE), just days before the COVID-19 lockdown. One year later, he was assigned the role of Lead Process Engineer for a waste-to-energy project in Singapore. We met Eduardo at the Head Office in Belgium and talked about his story of working at KSBE.

KSBE: Who is Eduardo Sanchez?

“I’m a Chemical Engineer from Colombia, born and raised. During my studies, I developed strong analytical skills that go beyond just engineering and technical knowledge. Thanks to Keppel Seghers Belgium, I’ve learned how to use my analytical abilities to tackle organizational problems related to planning, communication, and project documentation. They’ve given me the tools to make a positive impact in those areas.”

KSBE: What triggered you to become an engineer?

“At the early age of 16, I proudly graduated from high school. Initially, my aspirations leaned towards becoming a genetics engineer. However, I soon realised that to specialise in genetic engineering, I would need to study medicine. Considering the lengthy path ahead, I yearned for a more immediate way to apply my theoretical knowledge while making a sustainable impact on the environment.

KSBE: So, how did you transition from studying in Colombia to making your
way to Europe, specifically Belgium?

“When I graduated as a chemical engineer, I was all set to dive into the oil and gas business because I wanted to bring about change from the inside. So, I kickstarted my career as a process engineer for an oil and gas company in Colombia, where I spent a good two years. It was an exciting professional journey since the oil and gas sector is at the forefront of technological advancements. I had a great opportunity to learn and grow in that environment. But, as a process engineer, I also faced the challenge of making tough decisions. One such instance was when I had to weigh the option of releasing tons of CO2 into the atmosphere against the high cost of an alternative solution.”
“In the midst of it all, I came to realise that instigating change is no easy feat; it takes time and progress can be slow. This realisation led me to reconsider my career path. As luck would have it, an opportunity arose in the form of a scholarship in fire safety engineering, which brought me all the way to Belgium. After completing my studies, I embarked on a five-year journey, starting in 2015 and lasting until 2020, working in the field of fire safety engineering and traveling extensively.”
“From 2015 to 2017, I resided in Cyprus and worked as a fire safety engineer on petrochemical projects in Saudi Arabia. Then, in 2017, I made the move to Belgium and focused on safety engineering projects for the oil and gas industry, spanning locations such as Singapore, Greece, Egypt, and Spain. Joining Keppel Seghers Belgium in March 2020 has been a transformative experience. With the guidance and support of my exceptional colleagues, I quickly advanced to become a lead process engineer having the privilege of overseeing a state-of-the-art Waste-to-Energy facility in Singapore. It’s been an incredible journey of growth and fulfillment.
Keppel Seghers Belgium, Belgian Engineering and Technology Hub
Keppel Seghers Belgium, Belgian Engineering and Technology Hub
“Keppel Seghers Belgium offers you the opportunity to learn. You have the flexibility to choose where to focus your efforts depending on the needs of the project that aligns with your interests. KSBE gives you the option to pursue the career path you want to take.”

KSBE: How would you define the significance of Waste to-Energy in your perspective?

“To me, Waste-to-Energy represents the epitome of engineering complexity. It’s a remarkably intricate process, not just from a technical standpoint, but also in terms of project management. You have to consider the involvement of various parties responsible for managing and constructing the project. On he technical side, you’re confronted with the unpredictability of waste, the intricacies of the water and steam cycle, the challenges posed by ashes, and the presence of different substances not typically encountered in conventional processes.” “As a process engineer, I have a bird’s-eye view of the facilities we design at the heart of the project. If a technical issue arises, I’m ready to dive into it. Waste-to-energy truly pushes the boundaries of engineering and provides a stimulating environment for problem-solving and innovation.”

KSBE: How do you experience the collaboration with your colleagues?

“Oh, working with my KSBE colleagues can be quite interesting! You see, every colleague has their own set of special qualities and quirks that make them unique. It’s like a colorful tapestry of personalities coming together. And let me tell you, mastering the art of collaborating with each one of them is degree in chemical engineering, right here in Colombia.”

KSBE: Next to your role in process engineering, there are a lot of other things that you do as well. Can you tell a bit more about that?

”Around May 2020, I got an email invitation for a brainstorming session about a program called We Organise. The idea behind “We Organise” is to progress, improve, challenge the status quo, and challenge how we’re doing things. We can do things better. We can always improve. A week later, the person who was leading this program contacted me and said: “We’re actually looking for workshop managers to lead improvement projects for the company. Do you want to join?” I immediately said yes to supporting the initiative.”
Keppel Seghers Belgium, Belgian Engineering and Technology Hub

Got inspired?

Step into the world of Keppel Seghers Belgium, where innovation meets action. Check out the ‘Work at KSBE’ section – it’s your gateway to cool, cutting-edge projects and a chance to be part of a team that’s creating a climate positive impact.
Work at KSBE

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