People in Lighting: Humberto Garcia
Humberto Garcia
Field Application Engineer - Schréder Chile
Companies are defined by the people who work for them. For more than a century, Schréder has been at the forefront of lighting because of the innovative thinking of our employees worldwide. Life@Schréder is where we tell the stories of the people who make Schréder what it is, across the 70 countries where we do business.
For decades, Schréder has been changing the game for lighting across Latin America. From innovative neighbourhoods in Santiago to bird-friendly lighting in the heart of a wine district, we have been installing state-of-the-art control systems and stylish luminaires across the continent. It’s also home to one of the world's most ambitious tunnelling projects.
Originally from Venezuela, Humberto is a Field Application Engineer (FAE) at Schréder Latin America, based in Santiago, Chile. With his background in electrical engineering and his understanding of what customers need, he has worked on projects across Chile that have transformed areas through lighting. Here, he talks to us about his passion for lighting and innovation - and swimming.
I was already an inspiring engineer as a child…
You know, the little kid who is always taking things apart to see how they work, helping
Grandma fix Christmas lights? Growing up in Venezuela, that was me. As I got older, I became more and more interested in technology, and I went on to study electrical engineering. I graduated in 2018, moved to Chile and worked on control systems for Coca-Cola, then in the sustainable energy field, with a focus on solar projects.
I didn’t know much about lighting…
But I knew someone who worked for Schréder, and he kept telling me what a great company it was! There was a role available as a certification engineer, which tied in nicely with my studies, so I applied. I joined in January 2020, so I only had two months to settle in and meet my colleagues before the pandemic struck. We were lucky because, working in critical infrastructure, we could still go out on site visits, so although I was mainly working from home, I wasn’t stuck indoors all the time.
Working in certification was interesting…
Schréder cares a lot about global standards - in fact my colleagues at the company are involved in setting them at bodies like the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). My first job was as a certification officer, testing products to ensure they complied with Chilean national standards, which are among the most demanding in the world, they are very, very tough! This role provided a great introduction to our products. After a year, I was promoted to tender engineering, a more sales-focused role, before becoming an FAE.
There’s no such thing as a typical day…
I’m the only FAE in Chile, so I’m very busy. The best part of my job is that no two days are the same, as I do so many different things. I design and commission connected control systems such as Schréder EXEDRA, Schréder ITERRA and DMX controls. I also provide technical support to our customers and our sales representatives. I work on projects with SHUFFLE and other luminaires. And I’m also still responsible for the product certification, among other things. That’s the part I truly enjoy - the variety keeps the job from feeling monotonous.
A dynamic region keeps us on the move…
For now, I am focusing on Chile, but hopefully in a few years I will be travelling much more widely around our region. We are currently working on projects in Mexico while continuing to support our colleagues in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.
I learn something new every day…
Since joining the company, I have learnt a lot about lighting, smart cities, connected lighting and different types of controls, as well as tunnels and many other things. That's the best part of my job! Another thing I really appreciate about Schréder is its people. I have made some really good friends here, and that helps a lot when we're working together to meet deadlines. The company has given me the opportunity to learn and develop professionally.
I do have a favourite project…
It’s hard to choose, because they are all like my children. However, I am really proud of our work in Peñalolén, a very hilly district of Santiago. In 2023, we upgraded their public lighting by replacing around 12,000 luminaires and connecting them to a lighting control system. This was the first project where I was essentially in charge. It was a challenging project, but it was also the first to use the OWLET IV controllers which had been designed especially for South America. This was the first time the system and connected luminaires had been put to the test. At the time, it was Schréder Hyperion's fifth largest project worldwide.
So, we had to work closely with the Schréder Hyperion team in Portugal to set everything up. We were responsible for carrying out all the necessary tests to make sure the equipment was working properly. This process took a couple of months and involved a great deal of communication, pressure, and reporting to colleagues here and in Portugal… and it worked! We got it up and running and it still looks great. We are in constant contact with the city, too - it’s not about installing a system then leaving, we have an ongoing support relationship with our customers.
I am really proud of the way we work…
We have a really friendly working environment where everyone helps each other with whatever they need. I'm part of the technical team, but if a lighting designer has a problem, I am happy to help them. Likewise, if the people working on the tender have an issue, they can ask us. There are no hierarchies or silos. I work in Latin America, but I have asked colleagues in Europe or South Africa for help with particular issues where they have expertise. Not all companies work like that, and it’s a pleasure to be part of one that does.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me in the pool…
I’ve been swimming since I was six years old, but it’s much more than just a hobby for me. I’ve competed at an international level, representing Venezuela and now Chile, taking part in competitions across the Americas. Swimming is a huge part of my life, and I still keep up my training.
The company has also supported me in this. We recently took part in Chile’s first ever Corporate Games, doing very well in the smaller company category (1-20 employees). I swam in two events and won both of them, while my colleague Jose Manuel competed in the chess event. We have a trophy now, which is great - hopefully we can take part again!
Connect with Humberto on LinkedIn.