Today we share an interview with Matilde das Neves, an undergraduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a member of the electronics and software department of Técnico’s Formula Student team (FST).

Her interest in science began early: “I always wanted to pursue engineering. At first, I was interested in physics engineering or astrophysics because I read a lot of books, but I quickly realized I prefer that area as a hobby. (…) I still have notes from my 11th and 12th grades filled with physics formulas — I used to do that in my free time,” she says. At the same time, she was also interested in Naval and Ocean Engineering (LENO). She was not admitted due to a small difference in the entry grade and instead enrolled in the BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering (LEEC), a decision she does not regret. She chose to continue in the programme because of its broad scope: “I would like to pursue electrical engineering applied to the naval field,” she emphasizes.

Electrical Engineering is an extremely broad field — you can go into whichever branch of engineering you want. We have an impact on most areas that involve technology.

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member

Matilde highlights that, over time, the role of the electrical engineer has continued to grow, keeping pace with the evolution of technologies used across different sectors. Vehicles are one example, as they increasingly incorporate electrical systems — something also visible in FST prototypes, which now include autonomous driving systems.

She first learned about the team through a friend who told her about the group’s dynamics. After researching the project, she applied and joined as a recruit in her second semester.

I think there were 20 recruits competing for 3 spots, and I was still in my first year (…). I remember telling my mother, “I don’t know if I can do it.”

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member

Since she was only at the beginning of her degree, she dedicated herself fully to studying the field, both in theory and in practice.

Before becoming full members of FST, recruits are challenged to carry out several tasks over six months, including general activities and specific exercises within their department. In electronics and software, recruits work on developing circuit components at the bench stage, before the systems are integrated into the car. It was during this period that Matilde began to fully understand the car’s components and their respective functions.

Her interest in the field continued to grow, motivating her to dedicate more and more time to FST in an increasingly productive way: “Shifts are four hours long, and you have to be as productive as possible — you need to know exactly what you’re doing,” she notes.

As a recruit, I reached 30 hours per week [dedicated to FST]. It was a complicated process. Besides FST, I had football — I was federated — and my degree.

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member

After the recruitment phase, each member may dedicate 40 to 50 hours per week to the team. This year, Matilde says it has been “more chaotic,” but in a positive way: the team decided to redesign the car’s power distribution unit, reorganize system layouts, and build a new circuit board for the autonomous driving systems. In addition, the team is working on systems that collect data on parameters such as temperature and tire condition.

“My main responsibility is the FST15 harnessing: it essentially involves the car’s wiring. I’m responsible for defining all the car’s electrical cable connections. As a result, I know the entire car from an electrical perspective,” she explains.

Beyond being a space for exchanging experiences among members of different ages who share a common goal, the workshop is also characterized by music, relaxed conversations, and strong friendships. Matilde emphasizes that “every day you learn something,” which impacts not only the development of hard skills but also personal growth.

[When I first walked into the workshop, I thought:] “This is exactly where I want to be.”

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member

She also highlights that working at FST greatly develops patience, since problems do not always have immediate solutions. As an example, she recalls a moment when the team attempted to collect data from FST14 as a starting point for developing FST15 systems — and the car simply would not move. It took several days and nights to solve the issue. For this reason, she stresses the importance of “staying calm, analyzing the problem, thinking about possible solutions, and writing everything down step by step in a document.”

However, documentation is only one component of cooperation: “You need to be ready to work as a team and trust other people’s work. If someone is here, it’s because they are as good as you — or even better. The car is not just yours.”

We don’t do less for being girls, and they don’t do more for being boys. There is mutual respect. There is no challenge in being a girl on a team of boys. The recruitment process is the same for everyone.

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member

When asked about female inspirations in her life, Matilde highlights the role of her mother: “She is a very hardworking woman, and I take a lot of inspiration from that. If I am here today, it is because my parents were able to give me this opportunity,” she says.

Looking ahead, she sees herself “exploring as many fields as possible” and participating in projects with social impact that contribute to her happiness: “The difference is between being a good engineer and just an engineer. A good engineer enjoys what they do,” she reflects, noting that many students are influenced by family or friends when choosing their degree. “It’s three to five years — even longer for medicine. If it’s not something you truly enjoy, it’s not worth it,” she adds, also pointing out that many young people have little or no exposure to hands-on projects during secondary school, which would certainly influence their future choices.

To conclude the interview, when asked what she would say to her younger self, Matilde answered:

“Keep working — you’re on the right path.” It’s very hard to see that when you’re in secondary school.

Matilde das Neves, LEEC student and FST member