Women in Tech: Qorvo’s Isabel Gavela-Perez Blurs the Lines Between Engineering and the Arts
August 21, 2024
Take a peek behind the scenes at some of the many faces of Qorvo, and it won't take long to see a strong connection between engineering and the arts. Staff Design Engineer Isabel Gavela-Perez is a prime example.
Since joining the company in 2008, Isabel has been a linchpin in Qorvo design. A designer with a flair for modules and amplifiers, Isabel combines her technical skills with a love for creative problem-solving. She's a self-admitted perfectionist and says she's relentless in her quest for knowledge. "I am very technical," Isabel said with a smile. "I like working creatively and making difficult things. I'm a perfectionist. I always have the feeling of not being good enough. I have to improve. I have to learn more. I'm always learning."
Born in Madrid to a family steeped in technical expertise—her father an engineer and her mother a mathematician—Isabel's path to engineering seemed a natural one to follow. "I was born with numbers," she said, "but I wanted to be a writer. I still write, but just for family theater plays at Christmas. It's usually pretty funny with some educational points for the children thrown in there, too."
Isabel's love for mathematics and her family's influence led her to study electrical engineering in Spain and later earn her PhD in Austria. "I love mathematics, especially. It's objective," she adds. "There is a result, and you know whether this result is good or not. It gives a certain feeling of security."
Isabel's career journey wasn't without detours. She said a brief stint in sales made her realize her true calling was in design. In 2008, a chance encounter with a recruiter steered her to Qorvo, where she says she found the perfect fit for her skills and aspirations.
Qorvo's Women in Tech QNet Group aspires to foster a culture where women thrive through an inclusive forum that promotes career development and mutual growth for all involved.
Isabel recalls her early years in Austria as the only woman engineer and foreigner in her group. "The first half of my career, I was completely alone as a designer. Sometimes there was skepticism about my long-term commitment, but my determination saw me through. Now, there are more women in the field, and it's becoming more inclusive and supportive."
Outside of work, Isabel enjoys running, hiking and, of course, her writing. Her storytelling talent adds a creative touch to her technical life. As an advocate for STEM careers, especially for young women, she emphasizes the compatibility of engineering jobs with family life and the significant opportunities they offer. "It's a great job for women, she says. "It's well-paid, very creative and perfectly compatible with having a family."
Her office features a sculpture and quotes from Don Quixote and Cicero—all reflections of her eclectic interests and philosophical outlook. Her favorite quote, "The truth might be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above the lies, as oil floats on water," captures a belief in perseverance and integrity.
Isabel says she gets a great sense of achievement from going beyond what's necessary, as well as her commitment to helping others in the tech community, "I think my best satisfaction is doing what I have to do. It guides me every day."
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