At the Center of Safety highlights the people behind UL Solutions’ mission to create a safer world. In this interview, Francesca Belfatto, functional safety senior project manager, reflects on her 10-year journey with the company — from joining as a new graduate to growing within the same team she started with. She shares what drives her day-to-day work, how UL Solutions has supported her development, and the colleagues and experiences that have shaped her career along the way.
Tell us about your career.
I joined UL Solutions in 2016, just a few days before graduating. A friend who worked at UL Solutions had completed university a couple of years earlier and always encouraged me to apply after I graduated. I applied and soon joined the company, and 10 years later, I’m still here.
I started as an engineer and have since been promoted five times, most recently to functional safety senior project engineer. I’m still part of the same team I joined on day one, and I couldn’t be happier.
What does your day-to-day role involve?
I am with the Controls team where we evaluate the electrical control components that go into a wide range of appliances across the world. We test and certify that these components are compliant with safety standards. It is a busy but rewarding job.
How are you helping to create a safer world?
Considering my main responsibilities, evaluating the electrical control components, I feel the impact of our mission every day. With every product and every assessment, I approach the task with the right focus, paying close attention to details and ensuring full compliance with all standard requirements. Each evaluation contributes another piece to the larger puzzle of creating a safer world.
In what ways has UL Solutions supported your career development and growth?
I joined UL Solutions immediately after graduating as an engineer, and throughout my career, the company has offered me numerous opportunities to grow and develop. It has been a long journey, filled with countless challenges and learning experiences, and I look back with no regrets.
Can you describe a time someone supported you in meaningful or unexpected way?
This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many examples I could share and the time will not be enough. This was my very first work experience, and I truly started as a rookie. Over the past 10 years, I’ve learned so much, from technical knowledge to soft skills, and my growth has only been possible thanks to the incredible support of my colleagues and the opportunities the company has given me.
If I have to choose one example, I will highlight the time I spent in Frankfurt. Between 2019 and 2020, I had the opportunity to work at the Frankfurt site to train new colleagues hired during that period. It was a challenging experience, but one that had profound impact on my professional development, especially because of the support I received from a colleague named Diego. He dedicated so much time to me, patiently teaching me every evening and early morning the technical aspects I didn’t know. His guidance gave me the confidence and tools I needed to face each day. Diego serves as a steady pillar of support, and I feel lucky every time I can learn something from him.
What is the best thing about working at UL Solutions?
When I hear this question, the first image that comes to mind is a photo collage of all the moments I have shared with my colleagues. It has been an incredible time — something I never imagined could happen in a work environment and I feel truly grateful and proud of these experiences. I don’t wake up in the morning and feel like I have to go to work. I work with great people and I always look forward to coming in.
I have built relationships between colleagues across the organization, I have met wonderful people and now I can call them friends. Beyond work, we share countless amazing moments from company-organized events and those we plan ourselves. From beach volleyball matches to table tennis and table football tournaments — or simply getting together after work — these experiences have helped strengthen our connections.
I still remember the day some colleagues surprised me with a farewell party before my six-month assignment at the Frankfurt site. It was completely unexpected and completely unbelievable at the same time. I will never forget these moments, and I’m proud to have been part of them.