The Future of Aerospace with Quentin Mannes

Welcome to The Future of Aerospace, where I interview some of the most intellectual, creative and inspiring leaders in Aerospace. Here you will find insightful knowledge for up-and-coming leaders in the industry and I couldn't think of a better guest to share their journey.

Today I am joined by Quentin Mannes , Head of Engineering at Bradford Space .

Quentin's exceptional accomplishments are a testament to his innovation, adaptability, and pursuit of excellence.

A big thank you for providing amazing insight.

Charting the Trajectory: Quentin's Odyssey in the Space Industry

Quentin's journey into the space industry began during his studies in control engineering in Belgium. As an integral part of the curriculum, students were required to undertake internships in the industry, leading Quentin to his initial professional exposure at Thales Alenia Space. It was there that he encountered a passionate mentor who not only supervised his work but also transferred his enthusiasm for both space exploration and power electronics. In a reflective tone, Quentin recalls: “one person’s authentic enthusiasm might have, quite literally, shaped the entire trajectory of my career”.

Several years down the road, Quentin decided to deepen his expertise in this new space passion by pursuing the Erasmus Mundus SpaceMaster program, a two-year master’s degree spanning over multiple countries and universities. This immersive experience not only exposed him to a diverse spectrum of specialties but also immersed him into a vibrant network of similarly excited space enthusiasts. During the program Quentin further solidified his practical knowledge through an internship at the German Space Agency, another at Space Applications Services and working on a development project for ICEYE during his semester in Finland, illustrating his early eagerness to connect with industry developments.

Quentin later joined the European Space Agency’s Young Graduate Program where he had the opportunity to work once again, alongside passionate space experts while gaining insights into European institutional-level projects. There, his career took a first decisive turn when during a conference, a captivating presentation led him to reach out, apply and later join AAC Microtec, now AAC Clyde Space in Sweden.

There, he joined a small team of satellite power systems experts gaining further experience in the field of high reliability electronics for space. He swiftly progressed from subsystem designer to electrical expert and finally technical lead for the company’s flagship power product that would be used in a 1.5-ton lunar lander. It was a “lucky positive spiral” as he recalls it.

Motivated by a thirst for challenge and a desire to create Quentin moved to Luxembourg to join Bradford Space Luxembourg. He played an instrumental role in growing the startup from its modest beginnings as a two-member team to its current state as a thriving company with 20 individuals, successfully selling highly competitive products. Reflecting on this part of his journey he shares “In the first year, we were essentially working out of a basement, and now, four years later, we've moved to a bright, sunny office, and we have grown from 2 to 20 people”. Quentin currently holds to position of head of engineering, in which he bears responsibility for overseeing technical development and shaping future strategies for the company.

Overall, Quentin’s trajectory in the space industry has been shaped by his passion for space, a dedication to innovation as well as a combination of invaluable mentorship and lucky opportunities. He emphasizes “similar to what brought me to this point, if people are willing to take ownership and assume full responsibility for their endeavours, I am happy to empower and support them in that”. This forms the foundation of the operational model he established at Bradford Space, cultivating a workplace culture characterized by accountability, innovation, and ongoing exploration within the dynamic landscape of space engineering.

Keys to Quentin's Leadership Success

1. Consistency as the Backbone of Achievement: Quentin attributes a significant portion of his success to unwavering consistency. His dedicated and persistent work ethic, characterized by consistent effort over time, has proven to be pivotal. Quentin underscores that, even in the absence of immediate rewards, a steadfast and consistent approach invariably yields positive results on the long run.

2. Accountability and Ownership: A fundamental principle for Quentin has been accountability and ownership. Regardless of the task's scale and the team’s size, he stresses the importance for him of taking personal responsibility and delivering to the best of one's ability. This mindset not only fostered his personal growth but also contributed positively to the companies he has been a part of.

3. Embracing Uncomfortable Challenges by Saying “Yes” First: Quentin shares a unique approach to seizing opportunities by deliberately stepping outside his comfort zone. Instead of overthinking an opportunity, he instinctively responds with a “yes” and then tackles the challenges that arise. This proactive approach did not only expand his skill set but also fosters a continuous learning mindset. Quentin articulates this philosophy stating, "I say yes, I end up outside of my comfort zone, I'm into trouble, and then I just start figuring it out, and most of the time I succeed, coming out with additional knowledge and achievements".

4. The Clean Desk Philosophy: With a touch of poetry, Quentin states “I keep my desk clean”, highlighting the positive impact of an organized workspace, mindset, and approach. According to Quentin, the symbolic act of maintaining a clean and orderly desk has played a pivotal role in efficiently managing tasks, reaching schedules, and doing thorough engineering.

5. Cohesive Project Management and Engineering Mindset: ?Understanding the crucial intersection of project management and engineering, Quentin underscores the significance of fluency in both domains as the cornerstone of his most successful endeavours.

6. Trust the Process: Quentin advocates for trusting the process and fostering collaborative teamwork. When challenges arise, he believes in leaning on the network, colleagues, and team members highlighting that challenges can serve as motivation and facing them collectively turns potential obstacles into exciting opportunities. The power of teamwork and confidence in abilities are integral components of Quentin's leadership philosophy.

A Stellar Milestone: Quentin's Journey to Products in Space

Quentin reflects on a career that, despite its brevity, boasts a remarkable achievement, contributing to, leading, and designing products that now orbit in space. His proudest accomplishment lies in the realization that, within a relatively short span, he has played a pivotal role in the development of numerous space-faring products. Quentin acknowledges the traditionally slow pace of the space industry but feels fortunate to have defied the norm.

The journey began with Quentin's master thesis, for which he developed a payload that found its way to the International Space Station. This early success set the stage for a career marked by impactful contributions to the aerospace field. Notably, his recurring achievement involves developing systems that evolved into flagship products, demonstrating his skill for aligning technical prowess with market demand.

Quentin modestly attributes his success to luck but underscores the significance of being in environments that value responsibility and rapid progress.

Stellar Innovations: Transforming the Space Frontier

Quentin highlights a groundbreaking shift in the aerospace field, specifically the adoption of off-the-shelf components, not necessarily military or space-grade. This departure from traditional norms has significantly altered the industry's landscape. By incorporating readily available components, often used in non-space applications, the sector has witnessed a transformation marked by reduced development costs and accelerated timelines.

This paradigm shift, observed over the last decade has unleashed a wave of cost-efficient and swift developments characterized by more economical and faster development processes. Quentin notes that this change is a driving force behind the current boom in the space industry, empowering new companies to enter the arena with innovative products.

The traditional space domain, once dominated by slow and expensive institutional programs, has given way to a surge of new space companies characterized by agility, innovation, and paving the way for a new era of innovation in the aerospace industry.

Curiosity as a Compass: Quentin's Approach to Industry Trends

Quentin's approach to staying current with industry trends revolves around actively participating in the technical community, attending events, and engaging in conferences. Additionally, his diverse network, cultivated through years of studies, professional work, and chance encounters, serves as a valuable additional source of insights. Regular conversations with friends and contacts provide Quentin with reliable and varied information on developments across different fields.

An innate curiosity drives Quentin to stay interested in a broad spectrum of topics that extend beyond engineering. He recognizes the convergence of fields and leverages this curiosity to draw connections between seemingly unrelated news, work-related insights, and potential future market trends. Whether delving into the stock market or into political news he actively promotes a holistic understanding of the forces shaping his industry.

Likewise, Quentin encourages his team to engage in continuous learning by attending conferences, webinars, and relevant training sessions. An annual discussion within the team aims to identify individual interests, allowing team members to participate in events that align with their interests and professional growth.

Recognizing that valuable knowledge often arises from informal interactions, Quentin underscores the significance of learning from colleagues within the same office. Casual conversations during coffee breaks become opportunities to exchange information, experiences, and perspectives. This is further enhanced by the enriching value of interdepartmental discussions, where individuals with varied expertise contribute unique insights, leading to a more global understanding of the industry.

Altogether, Quentin's approach to staying current is rooted in his natural curiosity. While he doesn't have specific routines, his general inquisitiveness propels discussions, sparks debates, and leads to continuous learning. This curiosity-driven strategy ensures that Quentin remains well-informed, adaptable, and open to diverse perspectives, making him a dynamic participant in the ever-evolving landscape of industry trends.

Fostering Mentorship and Empowering Growth

Quentin emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his career, pointing to meaningful encounters with key individuals and highly qualified figures whom he still consistently reaches out for both technical and personal advice. Having a genuine group of friends and contacts acts as a robust support system, that significantly contributes to his continual professional development.

Promoting a culture characterized by openness and humility, Quentin rejects the idea that pride should deter individuals from seeking guidance. Leading by example, he continues to actively seek suggestions from those he mentors, acknowledging the valuable insights they can offer. Quentin firmly believes that the act of seeking advice, irrespective of one's seniority, is a fundamental aspect of continuous learning.

In his role as a leader, Quentin extends mentorship opportunities to employees outside the company. Programs such as internships and master theses involve the assignment of mentors and a collaborative definition of high-level project objectives between trainer and trainees. Quentin ensures a collaborative approach, complemented by regular guidance sessions, ultimately nurturing a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Within the company, Quentin believes in empowering employees to take direct gratification from their work. Whether through letting them defend their work to upper management or engaging directly with customers, employees are encouraged to showcase and receive credit for their own contributions. By fostering a culture where individuals feel confident and proud to present their work, Quentin aims to promote a motivating sense of recognition and direct gratification for one’s effort.

Quentin's Guiding Principles for Future Space Engineers

1. Take Full Ownership and Accountability: Quentin advocates for aspiring space engineers to take complete ownership of their work, underscoring the importance of assuming full responsibility regardless of the task or team size. By instilling a mindset of responsibility, individuals are inspired to overcome challenges, fostering a culture of continuous learning and effective problem-solving.

2. Don't Hesitate to Ask and Seek Opportunities Boldly: Encouraging proactive behaviour, Quentin advises future engineers not to shy away from asking for opportunities. Recognizing that waiting passively rarely yields results, Quentin underscores the value of initiative. Whether it's seeking information or pursuing opportunities, asking is the first step toward achieving one's goals.

3. Seize Immediate Opportunities with a Yes: When faced with unexpected opportunities, Quentin suggests an immediate affirmative response. By avoiding overthinking and embracing a “yes”, individuals are propelled into proactive problem-solving mode. This approach not only enhances problem-solving skills but also instils a sense of pride in overcoming the challenge.

4. Build Lasting Connections through Genuine Networking: While Quentin may not be a fervent advocate of traditional professional networking, he recognizes its pivotal role in his career. However, he places emphasis on forging authentic connections rooted in friendship, appreciating the enduring value of contacts that extend beyond the professional sphere. Building lasting connections provides a powerful and long-lasting support system to tackle personal and professional challenges.

5. Keep Your Desk Clean: Quentin underscores the symbolic importance of maintaining a clean desk. Beyond organizational aesthetics, a tidy workspace pairs with a structured mindset and work approach contributing to a more effective day-to-day functioning. This practical tip reflects Quentin's belief in the power of small yet impactful practices that contribute to a successful and efficient work environment.