Meet Our Team
Novaindef is powered by a team of highly regarded professionals with extensive experience and specialised expertise across their respective fields.
Executive Team
Virgilio García Orgeira
CEO
Electronics and Industrial Electronics Engineer from the University of Oviedo, and MSc in Machine Design from Hochschule Karlsruhe (Germany), with advanced training in Additive Manufacturing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA).
He began his career at Siemens and PMG before joining ArcelorMittal, where he held key positions including Environmental Project Manager and Global Research Program Leader in Additive Manufacturing. From 2022 to 2024, he served as CTO of ArcelorMittal Powders.
He currently serves as CEO of Novaindef Defence & Space, President-Elect of ADDIMAT, and Chairman of the European Additive Manufacturing Committee at CECIMO.
His career achievements have been recognised by ArcelorMittal with awards such as the Best Environmental KMP Project Award, the Gold Medal for Innovation in R&D, and the Best Performance Excellence Award.
Fernando Lasagni, Ph.D.
CTO
Chemical Engineer (Argentina) and PhD in Materials Science from TU Vienna (Austria), where he conducted research on lightweight alloys and composite materials for the aerospace and automotive sectors (2002–2007).
He served as Head of New Technologies at IberEspacio (2008) and was Co-Founder of CATEC (2008-2023), acting as CTO for Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Processes. Since 2024, he helds the position of CTO and Co-Director at Novaindef.
Dr. Lasagni is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Seville (Associate Professor 2008–2014). He served as Spainish representative in Additive Manufacturing at the harmonization meeting of the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2014 and 2017, and coordinated the Additive Manufacturing Working Group of the Spanish Aerospace Technology Platform (2016–2022).
He has received several international awards, including the Fritz-Grasenick Award (ASEM, Austria), the Georg Sachs Award (DGM, Germany), and the “Domingo Faustino Sarmiento” Prize of the Argentine Senate.
He has collaborated with the CTN234 committee on additive manufacturing (UNE/ISO) and actively collaborates with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) as an expert in the field. He has over 280 scientific contributions.
Inmaculada Huertas Olivares
Director of Quality, Certification and Standardisation
Chemical Engineer and Lead Auditor in industrial and aerospace management systems, with extensive experience in quality, certification and standardisation. She has developed her career at institutions including the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT, Austria), Ibérica del Espacio and CATEC (Spain), where for more than 15 years she led key areas in quality and corporate resources.
Since 2024, she serves as Director of Quality, Certification and Standardisation at Novaindef, responsible for regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
Her professional achievements have been recognised with the “Andalucía Joven” Award (University Category) from the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Meridiana Award in Science and Research from the Andalusian Institute for Women (Spain), and her selection as a finalist in the ARC-AWARDS Wissenschaft – Science Awards (Austria).
Francisco J. González Rubio
Navy Program Director
Industrial Technical Engineer with specialisation in mechanics, quality management, and international trade.
He brings extensive international experience in industrial engineering, research, and project management. For more than eight years, he was part of ArcelorMittal Global R&D (Europe), where he led emission control and industrial filtration projects deployed across multiple
European plants. His contributions were recognised with two Global Excellence Performance Awards granted by ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg).
Between 2020 and 2022, he expanded his professional focus into the defence sector through additive manufacturing projects. Since 2024, he serves as Navy Program Director at Novaindef, coordinating the development of advanced naval applications.
Ramón González Merino
Industrial Technical Engineer in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Industrial Design, MSc in Occupational Risk Prevention, and PhD candidate at the University of Córdoba (Spain).
He has built a solid career in engineering, innovation, and technology programme management. Notably, he served as Innovation Director at CETEMET (Spain), where he led additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Since 2024, he becames the Army Program Director at Novaindef.
His academic excellence was recognised with the Extraordinary Master’s Award from the University of Córdoba (Spain). His professional trajectory is characterised by the integration of technology, applied innovation, and leadership in strategic institutional programmes.
Luis Bernardo Díaz García-Rovés
Air & Space Program Director
Engineer with extensive experience in optical technologies, 3D scanning, and additive manufacturing applied to advanced engineering.
He has developed his career in several organisations including Holotek, FIAT Auto España, CSIC-INCAR, and ITMA (Spain), leading pioneering projects in holography, heritage digitisation, and advanced metrology. Between 2016 and 2024, he drived the metal additive manufacturing division at VEROT (Spain), developing advanced capabilities in Powder Bed Fusion – Laser (PBF-L). Since 2024, he is the Air & Space Program at Novaindef.
He is the Air & Space Program at Novaindef.His work has been showcased and recognised at prominent international scientific and technology forums in Europe and globally.
Javier Santaolaya Sánchez
Programm Director for GDELS
Aerospace Engineer and MSc in Science and Technology of New Materials from the University of Seville (Spain).
He has a solid background in advanced manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing, non-destructive testing, and project management within industrial and defence environments.
He was part of the Advanced Manufacturing Unit at CATEC (2017–2024). In September 2024, he joined Novaindef as Program Director for GDELS Project, whrer he is supporting the establishment of its Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the Santa Bárbara facilities in Alcalá de Guadaíra.
His experience includes the execution and coordination of R&D and industrial projects in metal additive manufacturing, process qualification, and quality control under aerospace and industrial standards. He is certified as a Level 2 Digital Radiography Inspector and as a Radiation Safety Supervisor.
Jose Sivó
Romero
Manufacturing Director, CEDAEC Linares
He brings over two decades of experience in industrial machining, metal fabrication, and advanced manufacturing.
He began his career as a CNC operator and progressed into leadership roles in workshop management and business operations. As Managing Director of H.J. Sivó S.L. (Spain), he led the company’s technological modernisation and the pioneering implementation of hybrid CNC systems with Meltio additive manufacturing, positioning the company as a European benchmark in the field.
Since 2024, he acts as Manufacturing Director of CEDAEC Linares at Novaindef, overseeing the centre’s production activities and the development of complex components.
His professional trajectory is recognised within the industrial sector for leadership, technological innovation, and operational excellence.
Eladio Barrientos Martínez
Director of Administration and Finance
Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Jaén (2004), with specialised training in New Technologies Applied to Business Management completed at CEPES Jaén (2004).
He began her career as an Administrative Assistant at the Jaén Chamber of Commerce (2004), where she participated in report writing, document management, and coordination with member companies. Subsequently, she worked for almost two decades as an Administrator at Kazzano (2004–2023), where she was responsible for the sales and logistics departments, as well as managing the company database.
Since January 2024, he serves as Director of Administration and Finance at Novaindef, overseeing the department’s administrative, financial, and operational processes while providing comprehensive support to the company’s technical and executive areas.
Careers
At Novaindef, we believe that people are the true driving force behind innovation. Our commitment to advanced manufacturing and high value-added engineering is built upon diverse, highly skilled teams focused on technological progress.
Careers
At Novaindef, we believe that people are the true driving force behind innovation. Our commitment to advanced manufacturing and high value-added engineering is built upon diverse, highly skilled teams focused on technological progress.
