About The Speaker
When And where
Rodrigo Valgañón Domínguez
Rodrigo Valgañón Domínguez is UK Operations Manager at AVS Added Value Solutions, an international engineering company delivering advanced technologies for the space and Big Science sectors.
Originally from Pamplona, Spain, he studied Industrial Management Engineering at the University of Navarra in San Sebastián. During his time at university, he served as Business Area Lead for the university’s Formula Student team, an experience that exposed him to the challenges of managing a highly complex, multidisciplinary project and demonstrated the significant impact that students can have when entrusted with real responsibility and ambitious goals.
After graduating, he joined AVS as a Quality Engineer, initially working in Vitoria before relocating to Oxford, UK, to support the company’s growing activities from its base at Westcott Venture Park.
Over the years, his role evolved from engineering and quality assurance into operational leadership, reflecting a growing focus on organisational development, business processes, and cross-functional collaboration. Today, as Operations Manager, he helps coordinate the company’s day-to-day activities while supporting its continued growth within the UK space sector.
His professional interests centre on building effective partnerships between academia and industry, facilitating knowledge transfer, and developing the next generation of engineering talent. Through initiatives such as apprenticeships, graduate development programmes, and collaborations with universities, he has seen first-hand how strong connections between education and industry can accelerate innovation while creating valuable opportunities for young professionals.
Alongside AVS’s work in advanced space systems, he is also involved in initiatives supporting emerging technologies, including sustainable in-space propulsion through URA Thrusters. These experiences have reinforced his belief that innovation is driven not only by technology, but also by the people, skills, and partnerships that enable ideas to move successfully from research environments into real-world applications.
His interests include innovation management, skills development, organisational growth, and the evolving role of collaboration within the space sector.