Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Ange Pascal Muhoza, and I’m from Belgium. Two years ago, I started my journey with ALTEN, fuelled by ambition and desire to make an impact in the engineering field. With a bachelor’s degree in electromechanics and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Louvain School of Engineering, I was ready to take on new challenges. I started my mission as a Project ATC System Design Engineer, and today, I’m proudly leading a group of Design and V&V Engineers. With this position, I’m still hands-on in my original role, bridging both worlds — managing a dynamic team while remaining deeply involved in the technical side of projects. This dual role gives me a unique perspective, ensuring that while I’m leading, I’m also learning every single day.   

What is your expertise and how did you acquire it? 

My journey to acquiring expertise was anything but linear, and that’s what makes it so rewarding. When I joined my current mission, I was stepping into unfamiliar territory in the railway sector. My first mission was to design, integrate, and test train control systems. With each project, I found myself diving deeper, gaining hands-on experience that helped me adapt and grow more confident in my technical skills. As I gained technical knowledge, I started taking more responsibility, eventually becoming Assistant Team Leader. Here, I learned to manage projects and people — skills that were as essential as my technical expertise. Now, as Team Leader, I wear two hats: I manage my team with a focus on performance and quality, while still solving technical challenges. This blend of leadership and engineering keeps me sharp, adaptable, and passionate. 

What does a typical day look like in your position? 

No two days are the same, and that’s what I love about my position. One moment, I’m deeply involved in technical work, implementing customised requirements, and evaluating them in the lab. The next moment, I’m leading a team meeting, setting strategic goals with the Project Director, or communicating with our clients to ensure their needs are not just met, but exceeded. I also keep an eye on our KPIs and make sure our team stays aligned with both short-term objectives and long-term success. My role is to inspire and guide, but also to jump into the technical aspects when needed.  

Can you tell us about one specific project in which you were able to highlight this expertise? 

One project that truly showcased my expertise was for a client who needed a comprehensive procedure document to regenerate and decode specific data for internal comparisons. Initially, my focus was entirely on the technical aspects—understanding the different processes and detailing them clearly in the documentation. However, as I presented a solution that effectively addressed their needs, I was given the opportunity to lead a presentation for the client, where I not only explained the processes, but also demonstrated how to use the documentation effectively. 

This experience allowed me to merge my technical knowledge with my ability to engage and communicate with clients, answering their questions and ensuring they felt confident in the solution we provided. It was a fulfilling moment that highlighted my growth from purely technical tasks to embracing leadership and client interaction. 

What is the most challenging aspect of your job/area, and how do you approach overcoming it? 

The biggest challenge in my role is finding the balance between leadership and technical responsibilities. Leading a team means you have to be present and guide them, but as someone who still handles technical tasks, I can’t lose sight of those details either. There was one instance where I had to juggle several high-priority projects, each with overlapping deadlines, while still leading my team. It was a real test of both time management and leadership. The key to overcoming this challenge was prioritising communication among all the people involved. This was done through regular check-ins, where we assessed our progress, adjusted priorities, and made sure all deadlines were met.  

In what ways do you continuously seek to improve your skills and stay updated with industry trends? 

Indeed, the engineering industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead is key. My passion for continuous learning drives me to actively seek out training programmes in my free time, ensuring I’m well-informed in the latest technologies and best practices.  

What aspects of our company culture do you find most motivating or inspiring?  

What I find most motivating and inspiring about ALTEN is the possibility of growth. From the beginning, I had a clear vision of where I wanted to go as my next step—a role that combined both technical expertise and management responsibilities. ALTEN not only supported this vision but also worked with me to create a path that allowed me to achieve it.  

If you could describe your work philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?

Lead by example, keep a growth mindset, and never stop striving for excellence.