When João São José moved from Portugal to the Netherlands three years ago, it was to do more than start a new job, it was a leap into a completely new environment, language and career path. What drew him in? The reputation of the team, the chance to learn something new every day and the opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“I’d always been interested in additive manufacturing,” João explains, “but I didn’t feel very confident in my English, so I decided to take a more hands-on role to build that confidence while also learning from the inside.” A recommendation from his brother Tiago who was already at Shapeways painted a picture of a collaborative, open company culture — and that was enough to spark his move to Eindhoven.
Starting from the ground up
João joined Shapeways as a Manufacturing Technician. It was a role that gave him front-line exposure to the entire production process from handling parts straight out of the printer, checking quality, finishing them, through to getting them ready for customers. “Even though the process might seem repetitive, no two days are ever the same,” he says. “Every tray of parts is different. Every part brings new challenges. That’s what keeps it exciting.”
From day one, João was already thinking about improvements. “I had ideas about how to make certain steps more efficient, but I was nervous to share them at first because I was new and didn’t know how people would react. But the team was amazing. That moment really confirmed I was in the right place.”
Stepping up and standing out
João’s curiosity grew with his confidence, especially in terms of how jobs were prepared before printing, how the team managed tight customer deadlines and how so many parts could be produced with such precision. That curiosity led him to join the Planning team and later step into the role of Process Technician.
Today, he works as a Senior Manufacturing Technician, planning all incoming orders and making sure printers are running as efficiently as possible. He also works directly with customers to assess whether their designs are suitable for the selected technology and, if not, helps them adjust for a better outcome.
“I love the problem-solving side of this job,” he says. “Fitting complex orders into print trays, finding ways to optimize workflows definitely keeps you sharp. And we’re always looking for ways to automate and improve what we do.”
Growth is a byproduct of trust and teamwork
João is quick to credit his development to the team around him. “Since day one, I’ve felt supported. People are always willing to answer questions, share what they know and give honest feedback. That gave me the confidence to try new things.”
The trust placed in him made a huge difference too. “Every time I showed interest in something new, my managers encouraged me to go for it. Whether it was learning about planning or optimizing a workflow, they gave me space and support.”
That openness to growth is something João sees as core to Shapeways. “There’s a real culture of continuous learning here. If you’re proactive and want to grow, this is the right environment.”
Balancing complexity with calm
With so many different customers, technologies and jobs to manage, João admits it’s not easy. “It’s a lot of volume and a lot of moving parts, so we have to stay focused to deliver quality on time.”
“You need to stay calm under pressure. If something goes wrong, you look for a solution, not someone to blame. And if you see a chance to prevent future problems, you take it.”
A team that reflects the world
Working in the international, cross-functional team at Shapeways Eindhoven is something João clearly values. “We’ve got people from all over which creates this mix of ideas and perspectives that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.”
That diversity, he says, is one of the team’s strengths. “Everyone brings something different. We’re all learning from each other and there’s a real sense of collaboration. It’s open, it’s supportive and it really works.”
Lessons in leadership
Looking back, João sees adaptability, curiosity and attention to detail as key ingredients for success in his role. “Things change fast — new orders, new priorities — so you have to stay flexible. But communication is just as important. You have to work across teams, explain decisions and stay aligned.”
“In terms of my skills I would say planning, optimization and time management have all grown massively. But honestly, one of the biggest things has been my confidence in English. I never imagined I’d be doing this kind of work in a second language.”
What’s next for João? Probably another challenge. Another improvement to chase. Another process to fine-tune. Because for someone driven by growth, this is just the next layer.