Laura GAMEZ LOPEZ

BLDC motor development dedicated to automotive valve applications.
• Conduct electromagnetic simulations to ensure efficiency, durability, and costeffectiveness.
• Collaborate with system and mechanical teams to integrate the motor into complete valve assemblies.
• Support validation phases, troubleshoot issues, and ensure product compliance with automotive requirements.

Research & Innovation Projects:
• Magnet Families & Manufacturing Study
– Lead an internal research project on magnet materials (NdFeB, ferrite, SmFeN, Alnico; sintered vs. injection molded).
– Analyse manufacturing processes, map suppliers, consolidate magnet usage across company projects, and evaluate feasibility of inhouse production of injection molded magnets.
– Build preliminary ROI and cost models; collect supplier quotations to support make or buy decisions.

• Magnetization Process & Characterization
– Develop simulation workflows for magnet magnetization using Ansys / Flux.
– Correlate simulation with laboratory testing, define characterization procedures, and assess equipment needs for potential inhouse magnetization (fixtures, coils, metrology).
– Engage with international equipment suppliers for technical benchmarking and machine selection.

• Product Optimization with HyperStudy
– Learn and deploy HyperStudy for design exploration and optimization of BLDC motors or other motor technologies.
– Create DOE/optimization cases targeting performance, cost reduction, material usage, and geometric simplification; define an optimization roadmap for future developments.

Results & Status:
• Industrialization stage: No product has been launched to series yet by design, automotive customers iterate requirements frequently, which shifts volumes and development scope
• Magnet Families & Inhouse Production Feasibility: Near completion. Supplier quotations and ROI elements are mostly consolidated; decision package prepared for management (make vs. buy for injection molded magnets
• Magnetization & Characterization: In progress. First simulation test correlations defined; equipment
specifications and supplier shortlist under evaluation
• HyperStudy Optimization: In progress. Use cases defined (performance/cost/geometry); initial DOE setups running and methodology baseline documented

E-Bike Electric Motor Development Engineer
• Development of electric motors for e-bike applications, including electromagnetic design considerations and performance validation.
• Execution of benchmarking activities (competitor motors, controllers, and test methods) to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Follow-up and technical coordination with an external development partner (motor development was outsourced before my arrival).
• Monitoring of prototypes, validation plans, test protocols, and issue tracking to ensure alignment with expected performance and industry standards.
• Support to purchasing, industrialization, and management teams regarding technical feasibility, development risks, and budget constraints.

Results & Status:
• Three fully functional first prototypes delivered, enabling performance evaluation and validation of the e-bike motor architecture.
• The project was strategically discontinued by the company after the prototype phase due to high external development costs and the associated economic risk.

• Develop electric motors for a new generation of dry pumps used in semiconductor manufacturing, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, compact architecture, and thermal robustness.
• Conduct bench tests to verify motor performance, validate technical specifications, and secure the reliability required for semiconductor environments.
• Perform product certification testing according to relevant standards (IEC 61010, IEC 60034, SEMI standards, etc.).
• Oversee electrotechnical aspects of pump design, ensuring compliance with certification requirements and integration constraints.

Results & Achievements:
• Successfully reduced the motor size, contributing directly to a more compact dry pump design and improved competitiveness of the new product generation.
• Optimized and streamlined the certification workflow, reducing the certification cycle of a new project from three years to just one year, significantly accelerating time-to-market.
• Became one of the key responsible persons for certifications within the dry pumps department, supporting multiple projects and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Strengthened cross functional collaboration by working closely with mechanical, safety, quality, and certification teams.

Consulting Engineer – Volvo Trucks Aftermarket Service Center
• Draft functional specifications for electrical and electronic vehicle systems.
• Analyze the impact of vehicle architecture changes on diagnostic tools and service procedures.
• Develop operational and guided diagnostic strategies to support troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Verify electrical schematics and CAD models related to system updates.
• Coordinate with international engineering teams in Sweden, the U.S., India, and Brazil.

Results & Achievements:
• Contributed to the launch of the first electric Volvo/Renault truck equipped with its diagnostic valise.
• Defined and validated the software content of the diagnostic kit, ensuring full compatibility with the new electric architecture.
• Improved diagnostic reliability through structured analysis of service workflows and guided diagnostic logic.

Consulting Engineer – MCE5 Développement (R&D Center)
• Supported R&D activities related to innovative automotive powertrain technologies.
• Contributed to system analysis, test preparation, and validation tasks depending on project needs.
• Exposure to advanced research environments, strengthening adaptability and multidisciplinary teamwork.

• Final year Master's internship at SOMFY's R&D center, focused on the design of an electro-brake.

• Perform thermographic inspections on electrical substations to identify early signs of faults and prevent potential power outages.
• Execute insulation resistance tests on transformers, switches, and circuit breakers to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Conduct primary current injection tests to verify substation connections, protection relay behavior, and system continuity.
• Work on electrical overcurrent protection systems, including directional and nondirectional relays (MiCOM, Areva).
• Carry out circuit breaker diagnostics using the PME500TR analyzer to assess opening/closing times and mechanical integrity.

Results & Achievements:
• Served as one of the main engineers responsible for detecting critical faults in substations, directly contributing to the prevention of power outages in the distribution network.
• Improved reliability of several substation assets through systematic thermography and protective device verification.
• Strengthened expertise in high voltage testing, protection systems, and preventive maintenance in utility scale environments.