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Career Story Nuno Maganinho

Before becoming a Senior Mechanical Engineer at ACE, Nuno Maganinho had a completely different plan for his future. At secondary school, engineering was not even his first choice. He loved sports, played badminton and seriously considered pursuing a career in the world of sports. But after speaking with a neighbour who was studying Mechanical Engineering, he became curious about the field and its possibilities. What started as a conversation eventually shaped the direction of his entire career.

An unexpected path into engineering

When Nuno looks back, his decision to study Mechanical Engineering was not part of a lifelong plan. "At secondary school, I wanted to go into sports. I loved sports, but I didn't want to become a physical education teacher. I started looking at alternatives and ended up talking to a neighbour who was studying Mechanical Engineering. I liked what I heard and that's basically how it started." 

He went on to study in Coimbra and built his career in Portugal, working on complex machine design projects and gradually taking on greater responsibilities. Before joining ACE, Nuno was already responsible for large-scale industrial projects, leading teams and overseeing the development of complete machines with automation systems. "One of the last projects I worked on involved a completely new production line. I was responsible for four or five people and had to supervise the entire project. We had almost two million euros available for that project." The work itself was challenging and rewarding. What ultimately pushed him to look abroad was something else. "I liked what I was doing. The reason I left Portugal was career progression and salary. I started looking ahead and thinking: how long will it take before I earn a salary that I consider acceptable? The answer was simple: probably never."

Why the Netherlands?

The idea of moving abroad actually started with countless conversations between Nuno and a friend while they were living together in Évora. "We were both getting a bit tired of the situation in Évora and started talking about moving abroad. He was looking at Switzerland and I said: 'Forget Switzerland, let's go to the Netherlands." While Switzerland initially seemed attractive because of its salaries, Nuno looked beyond the numbers. "The goal wasn't to move abroad just to save every penny and send money back home. I wanted to live my life. I wanted to enjoy the experience as well."  The Netherlands offered a balance between career opportunities, quality of life and professional growth. At the time, Nuno fully expected that the move might become permanent. "I honestly thought I might never come back."

Joining ACE during COVID

Moving abroad is already a challenge. Moving abroad in the middle of a global pandemic is something else entirely. Nuno travelled to Eindhoven for his ACE interview just before COVID restrictions started. "I remember thinking: they're about to close everything and I'm going to get stuck here."  Although another company was also interested in him, ACE moved quickly. "I got a call saying: 'Nuno, ACE wants you.' I heard great things about the atmosphere and culture, so I said: let's do it."  A few months later, he was preparing an international move while much of the world was locked down. "They called me in April and said they wanted me to start in August. Suddenly I had to organise everything in the middle of COVID."

Adapting to life in a new country

Despite enjoying change, Nuno admits that moving to a new country was not easy. "I'm someone who is always afraid of change. Even though I've moved many times and generally like new experiences, I still have that fear."  Arriving in the Netherlands during the pandemic made things even more challenging. "I'm quite reserved and shy, even if it doesn't always seem that way." Fortunately, he wasn't completely alone. He shared an apartment with the friend who had made the move with him, something he believes made all the difference. "If I hadn't had him there, I think it would have been chaotic."

Like many people during lockdown, they eventually found creative excuses to leave the house. "We started running because it was practically the only thing you could do. The funny thing is that we both hated running. We were doing it just to get out of the house."

What surprised him most about Dutch work culture

One of the biggest differences Nuno noticed was not technical, but cultural. "Working with people in the Netherlands was much easier for me than in Portugal."  He appreciates the direct communication style and the way work is organised. "If people need something, they simply come over and ask for it."  For someone who dislikes forced small talk, this was a welcome change. "In Portugal, sometimes you had to start with a whole conversation before asking for something. I hate that. If I want to talk to someone, I want it to be because I genuinely want to talk to them."

He also appreciated the planning and structure. "There is generally more time to do things properly."  That said, Nuno is quick to point out that no country is perfect. "Sometimes I think things could move a bit faster as well."

Returning home

After four years in the Netherlands, Nuno had built a successful career and a comfortable life. Returning to Portugal was not originally part of the plan. Several factors changed his perspective. "I started a relationship and my girlfriend was living in Porto. I also wanted to be closer to my family." 

At the same time, another opportunity appeared.  ACE was preparing to establish a stronger presence in Porto, something Nuno had discussed many times with Simão. "When that opportunity became real, I realised it was probably the only chance I would have to return to Portugal while continuing my journey with ACE."

There was also one more reason. "I was getting a bit tired of the rain."

 

 

Outside work, Nuno has always enjoyed staying active. "I love padel."  What started in Portugal continued in the Netherlands, where joining a local padel club helped him meet people and build friendships outside work. One memory still stands out. "A Dutch friend was going on holiday and I offered to take him to the airport. He ended up lending me his car for more than a week. I was honestly surprised by that level of trust." 

His interests go beyond sport. Films, series, PlayStation, Magic: The Gathering evenings with colleagues and even kitesurfing lessons near Haia all became part of his Dutch experience. One of his favourite memories involves regular Thursday evenings with ACE colleagues. "We'd finish work, head upstairs to the canteen, play Magic: The Gathering and order pizzas for dinner." 

Today, some things have changed, but many haven't. Padel is still part of his life. So are films, games and spending time outdoors. The biggest difference is that now he gets to share those moments with the people closest to him.

Looking back

For Nuno, the journey from Évora to Eindhoven and back to Porto was never just about changing countries. It was about finding opportunities, embracing new challenges and building a career on his own terms.

Whether leading large engineering projects, adapting to life in a new country during a pandemic or helping grow ACE's presence in Portugal, he has approached every step in the same way: directly, pragmatically and with a good sense of humour. 

And if there's one lesson his story highlights, it's that sometimes a casual conversation with the right person can change the course of an entire career.

Through ACE, I had the chance to build an international career, embrace new challenges and experience life in a completely different environment.

Nuno Maganinho
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

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