Ben Greene - SAP

COMPANY: SAP Research

With 12 million users and more than 1,800 partners, SAP is the world’s largest inter-enterprise software company and the world’s third-largest independent software provider overall. A rich history of innovation and growth has made SAP a true industry leader, today employing more than 51,000 people in over 50 countries.
SAP Research, the technology research department of SAP, prepares the groundwork for future growth by identifying emerging IT trends with a focus on strategically important SAP business areas. SAP Research’s Campus-based Engineering Centre CEC Belfast was founded in January 2005 as the Research Centre of SAP (UK) Limited.

JOB TITLE:

Research Director

JOB ROLE:

Personnel management of SAP Research Belfast
Growth of team
Direction of research projects in Belfast and alignment to other sites
Financial responsibility for SAP Research Belfast
Management of collaboration partners

EDUCATION:

• A-Level: 3A + 1B
• Degree: MEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) QUB
• PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) QUB

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Sponsored by Bombardier (Shorts) during MEng Degree
• Sponsored by Nortel during PhD Degree

Role as Systems Engineer at EADS Astrium (UK)

• Digital design, DSP for next generation communication satellites
• Developing onboard processing and HW/SW co-design

Role as Principal Engineer at EADS Astrium (UK)

• Working on bid teams for new projects (responsible for Onboard processing for Satellites)
• Technical Lead for onboard processing within ExoMars Rover (European Mars Rover Vehicle) – Hardware and Software
• Responsible for projects relating to onboard processing R&D

Why would you encourage younger people to consider a career in IT?

• Access to a diverse range of opportunities available in any business sector
• It is a growing sector with good opportunities to build your skills profile
• IT is a fast changing marketplace so you will always be learning new skills and never standing still
• Opportunities to travel and work abroad as skills are in demand globally

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB:

Technical:

• Ability to interpret technical work and identify / evaluate how it applies to the business
• Ability to identify open technical areas and how these can be addressed by building research
• Ability to cluster research projects to build value into the company (identify the big picture)
• Good broad understanding of many technologies and implementations (not just software and ICT but broader economic, social and engineering issues)

Interpersonal:

• Able to explain ideas and get other people to identify value for themselves
• Able to quickly understand other people’s points of view
• Mentor for newer members of the team
• Able to sell value of research

BENEFITS OF THE JOB:

• Opportunity to contribute to the research community and see ideas grow into products
• Working in a team that can have an impact on a global company and hence a global value to the work executed
• Opportunity to learn new skills and technologies
• Build up a team and team spirit that brings out the best in everybody

CAREER GOALS:

• In 5-10 years I would still be the Director for CEC Belfast, but the organisation would be different
• I would aim that SAP Research Belfast would be recognised for the quality and type of research it performs
• The organisation would grow in size and be self sustaining in terms of staff turnover
• The organisation would be known for providing value into the economy through collaborative research
• The group would be recognised within SAP for the content and value of the work performed here