Alejandro Cardona Seemann (’12) first heard the beckoning hum of airplanes before he could walk. By the time he was four, he could identify aircraft types and airlines just by looking up at the sky. His fascination with aviation deepened as he grew, and by high school, he had developed an ear for engine sounds. “In high school I could even identify the engine type that the aircraft had,” Cardona Seemann recalls. “I knew then I wanted to work in aviation.”
Today, as the new president of Safran Mexico, he oversees production of the LEAP engine, developed by CFM International. No surprise, he has come to know it well.
“I can identify the sound of our LEAP engine from that of its competitors,” he says. “The subtle differences are there if you listen closely, especially when they’re at idle. The LEAP has a smoother hum, while the Pratt & Whitney engine has a distinct ‘tick-tick’ from its gears.”
The LEAP engine delivers fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and quieter performance to narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919. The 18 Safran facilities across four Mexican states that he leads also produce landing gear, cabin interiors, seats, wiring and water systems.
Come for the Skiing, Stay for the Engineering
After high school, he wanted to study aerospace engineering – preferably somewhere he could ski.
He recognized he was in the right place when he visited Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus. “I fell in love with the labs, the wind tunnel and everything about it,” he says. “Prescott felt familiar, smaller and more intimate, compared to larger universities. And surprisingly, there was skiing nearby, which made it even more appealing.”
As Cardona Seemann advanced in his aerospace engineering (AE) studies, his attention shifted to the business of aviation. Some AE students make this shift when they encounter the challenges of quantum mechanics, but he was unfazed by the technical rigor. It’s just that he had a growing interest in business that prompted him to take additional economics electives. “I wanted to understand the business aspect of the industry while still focusing on engineering,” he says. This early exposure to business concepts laid the foundation for his future leadership roles.
His belief that engineers make good leaders has only increased. “I’ve always said that the most effective leaders in this field are engineers who understand business,” he explains. “The technical side is the hardest to master, but business is a bit more straightforward once you have that foundation.”
From Engineer to Executive: The Capstone Moment
Cardona Seemann’s capstone project as an aerospace engineering student played a pivotal role in shaping his future. His team designed “Slingshot,” an aircraft intended to launch payloads into space by reaching an altitude of 100,000 feet using traditional turbofan technology. “The idea was that you could reduce the fuel needed for space launches by letting the aircraft take you most of the way,” Cardona Seemann explains.
The project, which involved collaboration between propulsion, aerodynamics and structural engineering teams, felt like a real-world business challenge. “It taught me how to collaborate across disciplines and solve complex problems,” Cardona Seemann recalls.
Though Slingshot never became a reality—Cardona Seemann jokes it was “too expensive to develop”—the experience solidified his interest in blending engineering with business strategy.
Attaining Best Rate of Climb
After earning his undergraduate degree, Cardona Seemann went on to complete his MBA from ITAM, global management training at ESSEC Paris and advanced training in Defense and Aerospace at Sciences Po in Paris. His dedication to expanding his knowledge base has been key to his leadership style, as it has allowed him to move seamlessly between technical and business roles.
He also had to brush up his French and master “technical” French as he began his career at Safran in 2012 as a Maintenance Management Officer in Querétaro. In 2015, he was appointed Head of Military Sales for Latin America in Mexico City, where he quickly made an impact with his keen understanding of the defense sector. Between 2017 and 2020, Cardona Seemann worked in France with Safran Electronics & Defense, managing business development for key regions. His diverse experience in both commercial and defense sectors laid the groundwork for his later roles.
Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions
Cardona Seemann continues to navigate the significant supply chain disruptions that have persisted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical unrest. The global aerospace industry has been severely affected by the pandemic and geopolitical events, with Safran facing substantial challenges.
Safran, for instance, experienced considerable production setbacks when its titanium supply from Ukraine was interrupted due to the invasion, directly impacting engine production across its global operations. The sharp recovery in air travel that many countries faced, such as Mexico, which by the way, was one of the leaders to recovery, placed extraordinary pressure on supply chains with shortages of materials and skilled labor contributing to production delays. Cardona Seemann recognizes that these ongoing supply chain issues continue to be a significant challenge to operational efficiency.
Expediting Ingenuity
Digitalization and the integration of artificial intelligence is now a key focus for Cardona Seemann. “Digitalization allows us to make dynamic, real-time decisions in everything from production to supply chain management,” Cardona Seemann explains. This shift has enabled Safran to improve efficiency, reduce costs and optimize its manufacturing processes.
One of the most exciting technological advancements Cardona Seemann has overseen is the integration of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, to produce engine components. “Additive manufacturing is poised to revolutionize how we build engines,” he notes. “It allows us to create complex parts with less material waste, leading to more sustainable and cost-effective production methods.”
Despite these advancements, Cardona Seemann acknowledges the industry’s significant challenges, including attracting and retaining talent.
It’s More than a Talent Gap
The aerospace industry’s talent gap is one of the most pressing issues Cardona Seemann is addressing. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the retirement of experienced workers, leaving a younger and less experienced workforce to take on increasingly complex roles. “The learning curve is steep,” Cardona Seemann notes. “It’s not something that can be overcome in just a few years.”
Additionally, the aerospace industry is struggling to attract younger talent. Many young professionals are drawn to careers that offer flexibility and a better work-life balance. “Aircraft and engines can’t be built from the beach,” Cardona Seemann quips. “That’s one of the challenges we face: How do we make this industry more attractive to a generation that prioritizes remote work?”
Cardona Seemann believes the solution lies in rethinking the industry’s image. By embracing ingenuity and offering clear pathways for career growth, he hopes to draw the next generation of talent into the fold. His commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion is equally strong. “Diversity is essential for ingenuity,” he emphasizes. “We’re seeing more women in the industry, but there’s still a long way to go, especially in technical roles.”
Bridging Cultures: France, Mexico and Global Aerospace
Cardona Seemann is also a strong advocate for welcoming more international talent into the aerospace industry. “Aerospace is a global field, and companies that embrace talent from around the world are the ones that will thrive,” he says. His hope is that more companies will adopt an international mindset when it comes to recruitment and talent development.
As a Mexican working in the French aerospace industry, he sees himself as a bridge between two cultures. His leadership at Safran involves not only managing the company’s vast operations in Mexico but also fostering collaboration between Mexico and France. “Mexico has an enormous industrial footprint, but we need to develop more of the technological expertise that France excels at.”
One of his key goals is to elevate Mexico from a manufacturing hub to a center for ingenuity, particularly in aerospace technology. Safran has already made significant investments in research and development, and Cardona Seemann is focused on ensuring that Mexican engineers have the skills and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge advancements.
Entrepreneurial, from the Inside Out
While Cardona Seemann’s talents and ambitions could have easily led him down an entrepreneurial path, he ultimately chose the corporate world. “I’ve always wanted to be entrepreneurial,” he admits, “and in many ways, I still do. But aerospace is a capital-intensive industry, and the returns on investment take years—sometimes a decade.”
The financial risks of launching an aerospace venture were simply too great. “The complexity of becoming a tier-one or tier-two supplier is immense,” Cardona Seemann explains. “It requires significant upfront capital, certifications and patience to wait for a return on investment.”
Instead, Cardona Seemann channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into his leadership role at Safran, where he can push the limits of aerospace without the financial burdens of starting from scratch. “In my current role, I have access to all the ‘toys’ I dreamed of working with,” he says. “I’m able to push the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace without the constraints of building a company from the ground up.”
El Futuro Es Incierto, Pero Siempre Se Puede Construir (The Future is Uncertain, But It Can Always Be Built)
Looking ahead, Cardona Seemann is excited about the continued digital transformation of Safran and the opportunities it presents for the aerospace industry. His unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen and cultural insight positions him as a leader not only in Mexico but on the global stage. Alejandro Cardona Seemann’s journey — from a boy captivated by airplane engines to a top executive shaping the future of aerospace — is a story of passion, discipline and strategic thinking. His ability to navigate the complexities of the industry while pushing for ingenuity ensures that his impact will resonate for years to come.