Michel Fombellida
About Michel Fombellida
Michel Fombellida serves as a Director at the European Patent Office, where he has worked since 2013, and has held various leadership roles within the organization since 1996. He holds a Doctorate in Computer Science and has a background in Electrical Engineering.
Work at European Patent Office
Michel Fombellida has held various positions at the European Patent Office (EPO) since 1996. He currently serves as the Director of Infrastructure and Software Engineering, a role he has occupied since 2013. Prior to this, he was the Director of System Engineering from 2006 to 2013. His tenure at the EPO also includes a decade as Team Manager and Project Manager from 1996 to 2006. Fombellida's extensive experience at the EPO spans over 27 years, contributing to various initiatives and projects within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Michel Fombellida studied at the University of Liège, where he earned his Doctorate in Computer Science from 1986 to 1993. He also completed a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from 1980 to 1985. Additionally, he attended the Gartner Academy for Leadership Development, enhancing his leadership skills in the technology sector. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his roles in engineering and management within the European Patent Office.
Background
Before joining the European Patent Office, Michel Fombellida worked as a Research Engineer at Université De Liège for 11 months in 1985-1986. He then served as a Maître de Conférences at the same university from 1986 to 1993. Following his academic roles, he worked as a Project Manager at Spacebel from 1993 to 1996. His diverse background in research, academia, and project management has contributed to his expertise in engineering and leadership.
Professional Experience Prior to EPO
Michel Fombellida's professional journey includes significant roles prior to his long-standing career at the European Patent Office. From 1993 to 1996, he was a Project Manager at Spacebel in Angleur, Liege, Belgium. His early career also involved a brief tenure as a Research Engineer at Université De Liège. These experiences laid the groundwork for his subsequent leadership roles at the EPO.