Career Story Hugo Campos
Hugo Campos’ career journey didn’t begin with machines or CAD models. For many years, his ambition was rooted in healthcare. He dreamed of becoming a doctor, particularly a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, fascinated by the complexity of the human body and the precision required in medical procedures. Watching surgeries and learning about medicine were part of his daily routine.
When his grades didn’t meet the demanding entry requirements for Medical School, Hugo reassessed his options and considered Nursing as an alternative. The real turning point, however, came during his final year of high school. While retaking exams in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to improve his GPA, he revisited these subjects with a more mature perspective, and discovered where his true strengths lay.
He realised he had a strong natural aptitude for Physics, perfectly aligned with his long‑standing interest in Mathematics. This combination led him to look for a field where analytical thinking and problem‑solving played a central role. Mechanical Engineering quickly stood out as the right choice.
What began as a pragmatic decision soon became a conviction. Today, for Hugo, engineering is not just a profession, it is his vocation.
Growing at ACE: From Mechanical Designer to Project Leader
Hugo joined ACE in 2019 as a Mechanical Designer in Eindhoven, working on projects for ASML. From the very beginning, he was encouraged to take ownership and develop his technical skills, which naturally led to increased responsibility.
In 2021, he progressed to a Senior Designer role, followed by a transition to Lead Engineer in 2022. With each step, his role evolved, from hands‑on design work to guiding others and contributing more actively to project direction and decision‑making.
A defining milestone came in 2023, when Hugo was entrusted with reopening the ACE office in Delft. This marked a clear shift in his career, moving from technical execution into project leadership. Today, as a Project Leader, he focuses on coordinating technical activities, structuring workflows, and supporting a growing team.
His day‑to‑day work centres on planning, alignment, and removing obstacles, ensuring engineers can focus on delivering high‑quality work while projects run smoothly from both a technical and organisational perspective.
An International Mindset and the Way Back Home
International experience has played an important role in shaping Hugo’s career. Through an Erasmus programme in the Czech Republic and professional experience in Switzerland, he developed a strong appreciation for multicultural environments and different working cultures.
The Netherlands ultimately stood out for its openness and ease of communication, making both professional and social integration feel natural.
After fulfilling his ambition of living and working in Delft, Hugo decided in 2024 to return to Portugal to get married and start a family. At the same time, ACE was opening its Porto office, an opportunity that allowed him to continue growing professionally without having to choose between career and personal life.
Engineering Beyond Work
Engineering doesn’t stop for Hugo when the workday ends. With a strong interest in 3D printing, electronics, and home automation, he enjoys applying his technical skills to solve everyday problems.
One project, in particular, stands out. After his mother underwent shoulder surgeries, a simple daily task, using a manual laundry rack became physically demanding. Instead of accepting the limitation, Hugo decided to design a solution.
Using microcontrollers, sensors, and custom 3D‑printed components, he built a fully automated laundry system that eliminates the need for manual effort. With a simple command, the system takes care of the task transforming a routine activity into an accessible and effortless one.
This project reflects how Hugo approaches engineering: identifying a problem, designing a solution, testing it, and creating something that genuinely improves everyday life. It’s the same mindset he brings to his work at ACE.
My journey at ACE has been one of continuous progression. Every year brought new challenges and greater responsibility, always pushing me to grow both professionally and personally.
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