Frederic Lauzier is a Canadian electrical engineer who has built his career on solving complex problems with practical, elegant solutions. Born and raised in Quebec, he grew up in a bilingual home that valued curiosity, hard work, and creative thinking. From an early age, he was dismantling radios and experimenting with circuits—habits that led him to study electrical engineering at university.
After graduating with distinction, Frederic earned a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, publishing research on power system optimisation and real-time sensor integration. These early academic successes laid the foundation for a career that now spans over 15 years in energy infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications, and industrial automation.
He began his career in power generation and distribution, where he developed fault-tolerant systems for the electrical grid. Over time, he expanded into industrial control systems, IoT integration, and embedded firmware design—often working to modernise outdated systems without halting operations.
Frederic is known for bridging the gap between hardware and software teams, designing systems that are efficient, reliable, and intuitive. He believes, “Good engineering should be simple, strong, and intuitive,” a philosophy reflected in his work.
A committed mentor, Frederic has guided junior engineers through technical and professional challenges. He is also active in IEEE, speaks at industry events, and is pursuing certifications in machine learning and cybersecurity.
Outside work, he enjoys hiking Quebec’s natural reserves, restoring vintage radios, and experimenting with open-source home automation—always keeping his hands, and mind, engaged.
Q&A – Frederic Lauzier on the Topic of Success
Q: How do you personally define success?
For me, success is not just about outcomes—it’s about the process and the people involved. In engineering, you can hit every performance target, but if you burned out the team or made the system too complicated to maintain, that’s not success. I want my work to be sustainable, both for the people who run it and the systems themselves.
Q: What role did your upbringing play in shaping your approach to success?
Growing up in a bilingual household in Quebec taught me adaptability. Switching between languages is like switching between ways of thinking. My parents encouraged both curiosity and discipline. That mix has been essential—curiosity to explore solutions, and discipline to actually deliver them.
Q: Can you share a career moment where you felt you’d achieved something significant?
One that stands out was a manufacturing plant retrofit. They had equipment from the 1980s and couldn’t afford downtime. We designed a predictive maintenance system that ran alongside the old one. It worked so well they saw a 25% drop in unplanned downtime in the first year. It was satisfying because it solved a real problem without disrupting their operation.
Q: Many people talk about bridging gaps in the workplace. How have you done that in your career?
In engineering, the hardware and software teams often work in silos. I’ve made a career out of acting as a translator between them. It’s not just about knowing both domains—it’s about understanding what each side values. Once you speak their “language,” you can move projects forward much faster.
Q: What’s a misconception people have about success in engineering?
That it’s all about the latest tech. The reality is, most of the time you’re working with existing systems, and success comes from integrating new ideas without breaking what’s already there. It’s less glamorous, but it’s where the real value is created.
Q: How important has mentorship been in your journey?
Critical. I had senior engineers who took time to walk me through problems, not just give me answers. That built my confidence and skill set. I try to do the same for younger engineers. It’s not just good for them—it’s good for the industry.
Q: What daily habits contribute most to your success?
I set aside at least 30 minutes a day for learning—reading technical papers, experimenting with code, or testing circuits. It keeps me sharp. I also keep a notebook where I jot down ideas and lessons learned from projects. It’s amazing how often I go back to it.
Q: How do you deal with failure?
By treating it as data. I’ve had designs that didn’t perform in real-world conditions, despite looking perfect on paper. Instead of blaming, I focus on why. Every failure is a prototype for a better solution.
Q: What’s your advice for someone starting out in engineering who wants to succeed?
Learn the fundamentals, but also learn how to communicate. You could design the most efficient circuit in the world, but if you can’t explain it to your team or client, it won’t get built. And never stop being curious—tech changes too fast for you to stand still.
Q: What’s next for you in your definition of success?
I’m focusing on integrating machine learning and cybersecurity into industrial control systems. Both are becoming essential, and I want to be ahead of that curve. My goal is to create systems that are not just efficient, but adaptive and secure for the next generation.