Sachsen-Anhalt is the ideal spot for anyone who wants to live and work at a more relaxed pace.
Madrid?Magdeburg!
Carmen Rubio came to Saxony-Anhalt by chance – and stayed for the opportunities. Now she’s a mechanical engineer at HORIBA FuelCon in Barleben near Magdeburg, where she develops high-end testing systems for next-generation hydrogen technologies. Discover what this transplant from Spain loves about her work – and what makes her feel at home in her new surroundings.
Whether it’s a day trip to Quedlinburg, a hike in the Harz Mountains, or a long walk along the Elbe, there’s no better place to relax and breathe easy than Saxony-Anhalt, says Carmen Rubio. But what really makes Saxony-Anhalt stand out for the mechanical engineer isn’t just the fresh air and great leisure options – it’s the professional opportunities. In addition to the wide range of job openings, she appreciates the considerable freedom that skilled professionals have here.
If you’re looking to grow, develop, and advance your career, Carmen says Saxony-Anhalt is the place to be.
How did you find your current job in Saxony-Anhalt?
I ended up at HORIBA FuelCon thanks to a lucky coincidence. My cousin works for a company that uses their technology, and he told me about a job opening at one of HORIBA’s service providers. Just a few weeks later, I was offered a position as a mechanical engineer. At first, I worked for HORIBA as an external contractor from my company’s Madrid office for ten months. Then one day, my contact asked if I’d be interested in joining them directly in Magdeburg – and of course, I said yes. So in March 2023, I made the move to Saxony-Anhalt.
What does your typical workday look like?
I bike to work almost every day – something I would never have dared to do in Madrid. Here in Saxony-Anhalt, I feel much safer biking on the roads, and I arrive at work relaxed. Twice a week, I start the day with a German class held right at the office. On the other days, I dive straight into my projects. Some tasks are challenging and push me out of my comfort zone, while others have become part of my routine – for me, it’s the perfect balance. After finishing my desk work, I head to the assembly hall to check on the progress of our current projects. Every day I can watch how our engineering plans come to life step by step. This is something I really enjoy – and something I couldn’t do when I was working from Madrid.
From the north of Spain to the heart of Germany: it was a big step for Carmen to leave her home country. But Saxony-Anhalt made her arrival easy.
What do you like most about your job and working environment?
My team and my tasks! HORIBA FuelCon is an extremely international company, but I’m the only person on my team who isn’t German, and all the software applications I work with are all in German. My coworkers are incredibly supportive – they help me whenever they can and are always happy to answer my questions. We also enjoy sharing things about each other’s cultures, and I’ve even started teaching them a few words in Spanish. The atmosphere on our team is warm and open-minded.
I also truly appreciate the opportunities I have here to grow and develop my skills. I love a good challenge. Just a few months ago, I asked my manager if I could take on a more demanding project – and they said yes! That kind of support and encouragement means a lot to me.
What do you like most about working in Saxony-Anhalt?
There are so many exciting job opportunities here with real long-term potential – companies like HORIBA FuelCon are doing truly innovative work. I also get the sense that employers genuinely care about the well-being of their staff. You aren’t just a number in the system. And my friends here who work at other companies say the same thing. Another big plus for me is the combination of competitive salaries and a low cost of living. All my monthly expenses combined are about the same as what a friend of mine pays just for her share of the rent for an apartment in Berlin.
What advice would you give to skilled professionals considering a move to Saxony-Anhalt?
Get a German phone number before you start looking for a place to live! When I was searching for my first apartment in Magdeburg, I was still using my Spanish phone number. I couldn’t figure out why landlords weren’t calling me back – or not even picking up when I called. Turns out it was because of my foreign number. They were probably just skeptical, since second time around, with a German number, I had absolutely no issues finding an apartment.
And if you want to advance your career, don’t be shy – ask your team or your manager directly about opportunities. People here are really open-minded and supportive. Last but not least: Saxony-Anhalt offers a high quality of life.
If you’re looking for a place that has all the comforts without all the stress, this region might be perfect for you.
How do you see the future of your industry?
Right now, I’d say the outlook is excellent. The emerging hydrogen sector is advancing rapidly, and whenever a company conducts research on a new hydrogen technology, they need reliable testing systems to validate it. This is where we come in, because at HORIBA FuelCon, one of the things we do is develop precisely these kinds of test benches. Just like the companies conducting the research on hydrogen technologies, we constantly have to keep evolving too. It’s a very dynamic, fast-growing field – and an increasing number of companies in the sector are choosing Saxony-Anhalt as their base. This state is an ideal place for anyone looking to grow their career – not only, but especially – in this future-focused industry.
