rafael fonseca
Profile:
Electronics and telecommunications engineer with hands-on experience in aerospace hardware, embedded software, and real-time systems. Proficient in PCB design, firmware development, and hardware/software integration across aerospace and automotive sectors. At Exobiosphere, Rafael contributes to the design, build, and validation of the electronic systems that power and control the Orbital High-Throughput Screener (OHTS) — bringing aerospace-grade hardware expertise to miniaturised automated biological experiments designed for deployment in microgravity.
Work History:
2025 - CURRENT: EXOBIOSPHERE | LUXEMBOURGXXX
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2024 - 2025: Redwire Space Europe | Gasperich, LuxembourgElectronics Engineer – Intern
Working within a leading aerospace hardware company, Rafael designed, tested, and optimised electronic systems for space applications under the mentorship of senior engineers. He contributed to robotics software-hardware development and integration, including a robotic arm project, and carried out PCB assembly, soldering, and the fabrication of custom wiring harnesses. Throughout the role he collaborated in cross-functional teams and adopted industry-standard aerospace tools and methodologies.
2023 - 2023: Liangdao GmbH | Munich, GermanyEmbedded Software Developer – MSc Intern
Developed and optimised embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontrollers including the Infineon Aurix platform, with a focus on low-latency and resource-efficient performance. Designed and implemented vehicle communication interfaces — CAN, LIN, UART, SPI/I2C — to enable data exchange between ECUs and sensors, and integrated hardware-software communication protocols for clock synchronisation across multiple microcontrollers over Ethernet using an external real-time GNSS reference signal (PTP). Conducted HIL and SIL validation testing for timing-critical operations.
2019 - 2019: Plan-C Technologies | Viseu, PortugalField Applications Technician
Integrated and configured home automation, audiovisual, safety, and CCTV systems across client installations.
2018 - 2019: ITELA | Arlon, BelgiumEDUcation:
University of Aveiro, Portugal MSc, Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering