Curriculum Vitae

General Information

Full Name: José Manuel Requena Plens

Languages: Spanish (native), English (intermediate)

Download CV:

CV PDF [SPANISH] CV PDF [ENGLISH]

Experience

R&D Software Developer

Apr 2023 - May 2026

Power Electronics (PE)

Solar + Storage (PE Solar)

Lliria, Spain

Firmware development for solar inverters and control systems in photovoltaic plants, working on STM32 microcontrollers with bare-metal and RTOS environments.

Key contributions:

Optimized the embedded file system, reducing access times and improving stability under continuous operation.
Improved TCP communications performance, reducing latency and increasing the robustness of the network stack.
Optimized tasks on STM32: reduced stack and heap usage, and tuned CPU cycles to improve real-time performance.
Implementation and maintenance of industrial communications: Modbus RTU/TCP, UART, I2C and SPI.
Development in C with HAL layers and low-level peripheral management.
Test automation on real hardware using Python, including unit, integration and stress tests.

Predoctoral researcher

Jan 2023 - Apr 2023

Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) + Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) + Hospital La Fe (IIS)

Medical Imaging and Therapy Systems (i3M)

Valencia, Spain

Researcher in the R&D line: Acoustic Metamaterials for Ultrasound Histotripsy treatments.

Project: New generation of smart metasurfaces based on additive manufacturing for strategic applications in telecommunications (Metasmart). Funded by the Valencian Agency for Innovation (Reference: INNEST/2022/345).

Some planned tasks:

Ultra-close focus acoustic lens design.
Prototype manufacturing.
Experimentation with ex-vivo tissues.

Predoctoral researcher

Jul 2021 - Jul 2022

Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) + Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Medical Imaging and Therapy Systems (i3M)

Valencia, Spain

The main objective is to conduct research and development of acoustic metamaterials for use in architectural applications and medical imaging.

Goals achieved:

Theoretical development of acoustic metadiffusers based on membranes or plates reducing the size of commercial diffusers.
Simulation of the acoustic diffusers and validation of results (MATLAB & COMSOL).
Two publications in national and international congresses:
- Tecniacústica - Beyond Schroeder diffusers using acoustic metasurfaces.
- Euronoise - Sound diffusing metasurfaces based on elastic plates and membranes
Development and simulation of metamaterial-based waveguides for improved ultrasound resolution in air.
Fabrication of waveguide prototypes.
Validated experimental results against those obtained in simulation.
Advisor of the Master thesis of a student of the Master's Degree in Acoustic Engineering of the UPV.

Researcher in European project

Feb 2020 - Jul 2021

Higher Polytechnic School of Gandia (UPV) + European Space Agency (ESA)

Complex Media Acoustics Group of IGIC (IGIC)

Gandia, Spain

Implement and experimentally validate a sound mitigation method, applicable to a real space vehicle launch configuration (VEGA), that results in a significant decrease in sound pressure levels generated in the launch area during spacecraft liftoff.

Project funded by ESA (European Space Agency) with reference ESA AO/1-9479/18/NL/LvH, in collaboration with: CNRS/Laboratoire d'Acoustique de la Université du Mans; COMET Ingeniería; Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Polytechnic University of Madrid.

All project objectives were completed at 100%:

Design of the optimum geometry of the acoustic metamaterial to reduce noise levels.
Simulation of a real environment to validate design performance (MATLAB, COMSOL & Python).
Design of the industrial model for the manufacture of the prototype by means of plastic injection.
Development of software for acoustic measurements according to ISO 10534-2:1998 and ASTM 2611-19 standards. A|Lab
Design and development of a 3-axis robotic system to perform experimental measurements. Photos and some information here: NEWS
Results validated and accepted by ESA.
Three publications/presentations at international congresses (Euronoise and ECSSMET) and one at a national congress (Tecniacústica):
- Euronoise - Perfect broadband sound absorber metamaterial for noise reduction in a rocket launch.
- Euronoise - Application of metamaterials to control noise scattering during space vehicle lift-off.
- ECSSMET - Launch sound level characterisation and mitigation: numerical modelling framework and metamaterial proof of concept.
- Tecniacústica - Acoustic field prediction during the launch of rockets.

Research internship

Feb 2018 - Jul 2018

University of Alicante (UA)

Dep. of Physics, Systems Engineering and Signal Theory (DFESTS)

Alicante, Spain

Internship in different research projects in the Applied Acoustics Group, belonging to the University Institute of Physics Applied to Sciences and Technologies of the Higher Polytechnic School of Alicante.

Goals achieved:

Simulation of acoustic models.
Acoustic measurements by means of a LabView-controlled robotic system.
Investigation of the acoustic radiation efficiency (Vibration-borne noise) of metallic plates for an initial study of ship noise emissions in water. Carried out in collaboration with SAES, here you can read a news item on the subject: NEWS.
A publication at a national congress:
- Tecniacústica - Comportamiento vibroacústico de contenedores cilíndricos en aire.

Founder and Vocal Member

Sep 2016 - Jul 2018

AmicroTech (AµTech)

University of Alicante (UA)

Alicante, Spain

Association based at the Higher Polytechnic School of the University of Alicante. Founded in 2016. Promotes project-oriented microcontroller programming knowledge.

Activities performed:

Group classes of reinforcement and extension of the subject "Digital Electronic Systems" of the Degree in Sound and Image Engineering of the University of Alicante.
Laboratory organization and planning (located at the Colegio Mayor).
Communication and Public Relations.

Sound technician

Jun 2011 - Feb 2018

Acusticox (web)

Cox, Spain

Equipment installation and adjustment for events.
Equipment installation and adjustment for permanent installation.
FOH Technician.
Customer acquisition.

Laboratory technician

Sep 2005 - Nov 2009

Profdent (web)

Alicante, Spain

Reception of work from dentists.
Model preparation and retouching.
Minor responsibilities.

Technical Skills

Embedded Firmware & Electronics

STM32 & ARM

Comm. Protocols (I2C, SPI, RS485, Modbus)

Keil uVision

Instrumentation (Oscilloscopes, DAQs, Logic A.)

Espressif / Arduino

Software Engineering & Tools

Python

C++

Git

MATLAB

CMake

JetBrains Toolbox (CLion, PyCharm, WebStorm)

Simulation & Acoustics

COMSOL Multiphysics

LabView

CATT-Acoustic

EASE

General & Platforms

Linux / Unix

MacOS

Windows

LaTeX

HTML / CSS

Formal education

PhD in Health and Wellness Technologies

2023

Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)

Ultrasound Medical and Industrial Laboratory (UMIL)

Valencia, Spain

Industrial and biomedical applications of metamaterials for the control of acoustic beams. In this project, we propose to combine new air-coupled ultrasound transducers with hyperbolic metamaterials to design vision systems that exceed the imaging capabilities of traditional systems.

During my PhD in Acoustic Engineering applied to Biomedicine, I conducted advanced research:

Biomedical signal processing and acoustic analysis algorithms.
Ultrasound characterization for medical applications.
Computational modeling and simulation of acoustic phenomena.
Development of experimental methodologies for biomedical studies.
Publication of results in specialized conferences and journals.
After nearly completing the doctoral program, I made the strategic decision to redirect my career toward industrial software development. This transition allowed me to apply my solid foundation in data analysis, programming, and analytical thinking to the software sector, where I found a more direct alignment between my technical skills and my long-term professional goals.

Academic record (ENG) Academic record (SPA)

Master's Degree in Acoustical Engineering

2019

Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)

Higher Polytechnic School of Gandia (EPSG)

Gandia, Spain

Degree obtained with honors in: Fundamentals of Acoustics, Acoustic Isolation, Musical Acoustics, Signal Processing in Acoustic Engineering, Ultrasonics and Acoustic Simulation Techniques.

Final Master's thesis entitled Difusores acústicos basados en resonadores de membrana y placa ('Acoustic diffusers based on membrane and plate resonators'), qualified with honors with special mention.

Diploma Academic record

Degree in Telecommunication Engineering in Sound and Image

2018

University of Alicante (UA)

Higher Polytechnic School (EPS)

Alicante, Spain

Degree obtained together with the 2 specializations: Acoustic Engineering and Audiovisual Technology.

Final Degree Work entitled Estudio de la relación campo directo/reverberado; útil/perjudicial ('Study of the direct/reverberated field relationship; useful/harmful')

Diploma Academic record