Gilles Crofils

Gilles Crofils

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer

Based in Western Europe, I'm a tech enthusiast with a track record of successfully leading digital projects for both local and global companies.1974 Birth.
1984 Delved into coding.
1999 Failed my First Startup in Science Popularization.
2010 Co-founded an IT Services Company in Paris/Beijing.
2017 Led a Transformation Plan for SwitchUp in Berlin.
April. 2025 Eager to Build the Next Milestone Together with You.

Space Debris Management

Abstract:

Space debris, also known as space junk, poses a significant threat to spacecraft and satellites in Earth's orbit. To address this, a Chief Technology Officer and their organization are actively investing in Orbital Debris Mitigation strategies, which aim to minimize new debris creation, ensure safe deorbiting of space objects, and protect operational spacecraft from collisions. This effort involves collaboration with Directors of Technologies and Directors of Engineering, who play key roles in developing and integrating advanced materials and technologies to mitigate the risk of collisions. The Chief Technology Officer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming the challenges posed by space debris to ensure the sustainability of space assets.

Visualize an abstract portrayal of managing space debris threats. In the foreground, a Caucasian female Chief Technology Officer is seen directing a symphony of state-of-the-art technologies, depicted as ethereal, blue-hued constructs. Emerging from abstract shapes are three Directors of Technologies and Engineering, a Black male, a South Asian female, and a Hispanic male, each contributing innovative components to a dynamic shield surrounding Earth for orbital debris mitigation. This shield is shown as intricate designs representing collective efforts to minimize debris, ensure safe deorbiting, and safeguard spacecraft. The entire composition, bathed in shades of blue, signifies unity and innovation against the expanse of space, with Earth, both vulnerable and secured, visible in the background. The artistry should encapsulate the critical collaboration of preserving space utility against the cosmos backdrop.
Space Debris Mitigation and Spacecraft Protection: A Chief Technology Officer's Perspective on Orbital Safety

Space Debris: A Looming Threat in Orbital Space

As a Chief Technology Officer, I am acutely aware of the myriad challenges that space exploration and satellite technology present. Among these challenges, space debris, also known as space junk, poses a significant threat to the safety and longevity of spacecraft and satellites. Comprising defunct spacecraft, spent rocket stages, and fragments from disintegration and collisions, space debris litters the Earth's orbit, putting billions of dollars in space assets at risk.

To address this issue, my organization and I have been actively exploring and investing in Orbital Debris Mitigation strategies. These strategies aim to minimize the creation of new debris, ensure the safe deorbiting of space objects, and protect operational spacecraft from collisions with space debris. This multifaceted approach requires the coordination and collaboration of Directors of Technologies, Directors of Engineering, and other key stakeholders, all working towards a common goal of ensuring a safe and sustainable orbital environment.

Directors of Technologies, Directors of Engineering, and Chief Technology Officers: Collaborative Space Debris Mitigation Efforts

Directors of Technologies and Directors of Engineering play pivotal roles in the development and deployment of space debris mitigation technologies. By investing in state-of-the-art materials, design methodologies, and monitoring systems, these leaders help to minimize the risk of collision and ensure the long-term sustainability of space missions.

Directors of Technologies, for instance, focus on the research and development of advanced materials that can withstand the rigors of orbital collisions. These materials, coupled with innovative design methodologies, enable spacecraft to better absorb and dissipate impact energies, ensuring their continued operation even in the face of space debris.

Meanwhile, Directors of Engineering ensure the seamless integration of these advanced materials and technologies into spacecraft designs. By employing robust engineering practices and rigorous testing methodologies, these leaders help to validate and verify the effectiveness of space debris mitigation strategies, ensuring their successful deployment in orbital space.

As a Chief Technology Officer, I work closely with Directors of Technologies and Directors of Engineering to develop and implement these strategies. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, we are able to effectively address the challenges posed by space debris and ensure the sustainability of our space assets. While the task is daunting, I am confident that, together, we can overcome these challenges and continue to push the boundaries of human achievement in orbital space.

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25 Years in IT: A Journey of Expertise

2024-

My Own Adventures
(Lisbon/Remote)

AI Enthusiast & Explorer
As Head of My Own Adventures, I’ve delved into AI, not just as a hobby but as a full-blown quest. I’ve led ambitious personal projects, challenged the frontiers of my own curiosity, and explored the vast realms of machine learning. No deadlines or stress—just the occasional existential crisis about AI taking over the world.

2017 - 2023

SwitchUp
(Berlin/Remote)

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer
For this rapidly growing startup, established in 2014 and focused on developing a smart assistant for managing energy subscription plans, I led a transformative initiative to shift from a monolithic Rails application to a scalable, high-load architecture based on microservices.
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2010 - 2017

Second Bureau
(Beijing/Paris)

CTO / Managing Director Asia
I played a pivotal role as a CTO and Managing director of this IT Services company, where we specialized in assisting local, state-owned, and international companies in crafting and implementing their digital marketing strategies. I hired and managed a team of 17 engineers.
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SwitchUp Logo

SwitchUp
SwitchUp is dedicated to creating a smart assistant designed to oversee customer energy contracts, consistently searching the market for better offers.

In 2017, I joined the company to lead a transformation plan towards a scalable solution. Since then, the company has grown to manage 200,000 regular customers, with the capacity to optimize up to 30,000 plans each month.Role:
In my role as Hands-On CTO, I:
- Architected a future-proof microservices-based solution.
- Developed and championed a multi-year roadmap for tech development.
- Built and managed a high-performing engineering team.
- Contributed directly to maintaining and evolving the legacy system for optimal performance.
Challenges:
Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision was crucial for this rapidly scaling business. Resource constraints demanded strategic prioritization. Addressing urgent requirements like launching new collaborations quickly could compromise long-term architectural stability and scalability, potentially hindering future integration and codebase sustainability.
Technologies:
Proficient in Ruby (versions 2 and 3), Ruby on Rails (versions 4 to 7), AWS, Heroku, Redis, Tailwind CSS, JWT, and implementing microservices architectures.

Arik Meyer's Endorsement of Gilles Crofils
Second Bureau Logo

Second Bureau
Second Bureau was a French company that I founded with a partner experienced in the e-retail.
Rooted in agile methods, we assisted our clients in making or optimizing their internet presence - e-commerce, m-commerce and social marketing. Our multicultural teams located in Beijing and Paris supported French companies in their ventures into the Chinese market

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