Alexander’s role in the development of electric vehicles at BRP is multiple. He’s responsible for the system architecture to ensure functional safety, as well as being the embedded software architect and embedded software developer for several modules. He came to BRP from an automotive powertrain manufacturer, where he was a developer of safety-related deeply-embedded software for a number of different projects. Although he began his career in computer architecture, his studies in mechatronics (the design of computer-controlled electromechanical systems), specializing in integrated circuits, started him on the path of this EV adventure.

What’s the most exciting thing about your work?

Electrification is the new frontier. There’s no choice but to master it. But it’s a big topic with many aspects: the electric powertrain, for sure, but also the electrification of components both for electric and conventional vehicles. Working on it challenges me every day, to understand how a complex system works and interacts with the rest of the vehicle’s systems, and how that system behaves in our vehicles. It forces me to the next level and constantly expands my experience.

It also brings up daily technical challenges. To solve these in the best way, the team has to work together much more closely, and it’s really very impressive to see how we interact. We have a great platform for discussing the issues and finding innovative solutions, and we all learn from each other’s experience in different technical disciplines. In fact, here, we’re not just colleagues, we’re friends, working together on the BRP vehicles of tomorrow.

I’m really glad I listened to my brother and my old school friend, who were always telling me how much they loved their work here at BRP, and joined the team.
 

Why should someone join your team?

I think the main reason would be that you like a good challenge. At school and university, you learn how to solve technical problems, but here you can apply that knowledge in exciting ways, developing the next-generation systems of BRP’s vehicles.
 

What might a future BRP vehicle look like?

I think it would have a mix of different technologies. Both electric and conventional powertrains are going to evolve significantly, using those different technologies. But, in the end, it’ll be recognizably BRP: impressive and powerful, and it’ll reimagine the way our customers access their world.  

“Working on [electrification] challenges me every day. […] It forces me to the next level and constantly expands my experience.”