CAE Engineering Kft. - CAE Engineering Kft.

“My name is Jose Portella, I’m from Lima, Peru where I lived all my life. I recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to pursue my dream: working abroad.  It took almost three years to achieve because the US embassy was shut down due to COVID. I have always been passionate about aviation. My dad used to be a flight engineer. Did you know that back in the day, you had to have a flight engineer at the back of the plane? He was replaced by a computer eventually but as a kid, I always watched him traveling to train on flight simulators!  Growing up, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in aviation. I got a first degree in aircraft mechanics and currently working on a second one in system engineering. Eight years ago, I heard that a Canadian company called CAE was opening a training center in Peru and I was curious about it because of my dad! I applied and haven’t left since.

I worked for CAE Peru for 6 years and one day, one of the managers of operations from the US came to Peru and since I was the only guy speaking English, I had the opportunity to talk about my dreams. I told him I had applied a few years before for a position in the US but never heard back. He offered to put me in contact with a person from HR. I had a couple of interviews and ended up getting the job! I don’t believe in coincidences, but it surely was one! The process was complicated, but it was definitely worth the wait. I have been in Phoenix for three months now and loving every second! I must say that getting my work visa has been the proudest moment of my life. CAE has been so good to me and my managers even helped set me up in one of CAE’s facilities. They have been really supportive throughout my journey.

As a flight simulator technician, my main duty is to keep the simulator running. Every day I go to work, it’s a different day. I do believe that when you love what you do, it will be fun forever. What I love the most about CAE? Every employee is an entire world. I work with engineers from the UK, China, Vietnam and in that way, I get to meet different coaches from all around the world and learn from them. My father always told me that hard work pays off and I’m proud to have finally managed to accomplish my dream. I wouldn’t change this for all the money in the world.” – Jose Portella