Hannes Hobi and Sandro Gantenbein work at BRUSA HyPower AG in Buchs. The two are team leaders, coworkers, and best friends. Sandro and Hannes got to know each other after work. What began as casual conversation quickly developed into a friendship that goes beyond coffee breaks and foosball matches. Today, the two of them ski together on slopes and cross-country trails and plan adventurous tours in the backcountry. They climb and hike in the most beautiful parts of the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region. Their shared activities open up new perspectives, break down mental barriers, and solve tricky questions from work. Every now and then, the two of them also wander into a bar to continue discussing meaningful and sometimes less meaningful topics.

Working in the premier league

Although Hannes and his team are responsible for hardware and Sandro, as team leader of software engineering, is responsible for what feels like the opposite, they often work closely together thanks to the high degree of interdisciplinarity. Their field of application is power electronics for the automotive industry – or, as Hannes puts it, the premier league. The two engineers develop highly efficient power converters for internationally renowned automotive customers. They proudly explain the construction on the circuit boards, which seems incomprehensible to the layman. Their enthusiasm is palpable when they talk about the possibilities and technical refinements that only become apparent through small black chips and closely interwoven networks of conductors.

Competitive thinking never arises between the two, as they explain in conversation. Rather, their different ways of thinking and approaching problems help them to solve complex issues. Their friendship supports them in growing in their jobs, making decisions, and openly discussing alternatives in a safe environment. They place great value on each other's opinions and judgments. And, of course, with such a demanding workload, it's important not to forget to have fun—the next leisure activity is often planned during the lunch break.

From the office straight to the mountains

It's not far to explore the surrounding region from her workplace, the BRUSA headquarters in Buchs. True to the motto: "Work where others go on vacation," the region has a lot to offer. The diverse job opportunities and strong economic growth make the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region an attractive place to live. BRUSA alone currently has around 70 vacancies, mainly for engineers. The combination of a modern, international workplace and the advantages of country life in a well-connected region also convinced Hannes and Sandro.

The two millennials—Hannes, 31, and Sandro, 30—can look back on what is, for their generation, a relatively long time at the same company. Hannes has been with BRUSA for an impressive eleven years. His journey to becoming a technical project manager began just one building away. He first completed an apprenticeship at the University of Applied Sciences OST in Eastern Switzerland, which was then still called NTB, and then studied systems engineering. Sandro has always felt at home in the world of automobiles. After training as a mechatronics engineer, he also studied systems engineering at OST and has now been working at BRUSA for six years. Today, he regularly travels to the BRUSA site in Stuttgart. When he is in the region, he and Hannes enjoy doing sports together – preferably in the great outdoors.

Inspiring environment

The OST connects Hannes and Sandro across generations with the company's founder: Josef Brusa also studied at NTB Buchs in his day. In 1985, after the first major oil crisis and with the emergence of the solar movement in Switzerland, Josef laid the foundation for groundbreaking innovations in the field of electromobility and founded BRUSA Elektronik AG. He is considered a sustainability pioneer and thought leader, and continues to inspire both technicians and mobility enthusiasts who are committed to a sustainable society.

Green mobility has long since arrived at the heart of our society. Today, BRUSA operates on the market with three sister companies: BRUSA HyPower, founded in 2021, develops high-performance electronics for on-highway, off-highway, and stationary applications. BRUSA Elektronik specializes in powertrains and motors for improving vehicle performance. BRUSA ICS develops and produces inductive charging stations for electric vehicles.

Hannes and Sandro, both employed at BRUSA HyPower, don't need to think twice. They agree: it's an exciting company in a great region. Above all, it's a place where a valuable friendship has developed. And now they have to leave again—the mountains are calling.

Are you interested in a career in e-mobility? Here we have linked the vacancies at BRUSA.