People Behind MetisMotion | Shubhangini Awasthi

Originally from India, Shubha built her academic journey around understanding complex physical systems—from Chemical Engineering to a Master’s degree in Computational Fluid Dynamics, followed by a PhD focused on numerical simulation and pharmaceutical process modelling in collaboration with Daiichi-Sankyo and Kiel University.

Her path has always been guided by curiosity. Growing up, countless conversations with her older brother sparked her fascination with mathematics, physics, and understanding how things work. While he eventually pursued finance, those early discussions inspired a lifelong passion for engineering that continues to drive her today.

Today at MetisMotion, she combines simulation, mechanics, electronics, hydraulics, and digital twins to better understand our actuators and help transform complex ideas into reliable technology. But what motivates her most isn’t just solving engineering challenges—it’s making knowledge accessible and helping others understand the systems she works with every day.

We asked Shubha a few questions to get to know her better.

What originally inspired you to pursue engineering?

“My biggest inspiration was actually my older brother. Growing up, he was always curious about technology, and we spent a lot of time talking about how things work. Sometimes he explained things to me, and sometimes I explained the physics behind them to him. Those conversations made me curious about engineering from a very young age.

As I continued my studies, I found myself drawn to mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Chemical engineering felt like the perfect combination of those interests, and over time I discovered that I especially enjoyed using simulations to understand complex systems.”

What attracted you to MetisMotion?

“I’ve always loved working with simulations. When I learned about MetisMotion’s actuator technology, I was fascinated that something so compact could generate such incredible force. I wanted to understand how mechanics, electronics, and hydraulics work together to generate such a climate-friendly device.”

What do you enjoy most about being part of MetisMotion?

“The people. Everyone is incredibly supportive. Whenever I need help, someone is always there, no matter what the project or challenge is. It motivates me not only to do my best but also to help others whenever I can.”

What makes working in a startup different from your previous experience?

“In a larger company, many processes already exist. In a startup, you’re creating them together. Sometimes you don’t know what the next step looks like until you’re already working on the current one. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding because you know you’re helping shape the future of the company.”

What have you learned since joining MetisMotion?

“Electronics! I never imagined it would be so interesting. Understanding it through practical work rather than only from textbooks has completely changed how I see it.”

What makes your work meaningful?

“My work becomes meaningful when it helps other people. I enjoy explaining how our systems work to new colleagues, showing them simulations, and seeing that moment when everything suddenly makes sense. Watching someone understand something new is one of the best feelings.”

How would you describe MetisMotion in three words?

Innovation. Teamwork. Resilience.

“Everyone keeps moving forward, even when solving difficult problems. That’s something I really admire here.”

What technology excites you the most right now?

“Seeing how our latest actuator developments combine pressure amplification with valve technology to generate more than 4,000 N of force from such a compact system is fascinating. Knowing how much work went into achieving the results makes it even more exciting.”

If you could solve one engineering challenge, what would it be?

“I would love to make simulations capable of representing reality in even greater detail while remaining fast and efficient. Being able to accurately visualise every physical interaction without requiring enormous computing power would make an incredible difference.”

Outside of engineering, what might surprise people about you?

“I love singing and dancing – especially with my daughter. Family is how I recharge after a busy week. We enjoy spending time together outdoors, often having picnics by one of Bavaria’s beautiful lakes.”

Quick Facts

Dream job as a child?
Heart surgeon. She wanted to help save people’s lives before mathematics eventually led her toward engineering.

What could you talk about for hours?
Simulation.

What do you still want to learn?
Quantum technologies and the countless possibilities they could unlock in the future.

If you could instantly master one skill?
Understanding the deeper connection between mind, emotions, and consciousness – a lifelong fascination inspired by Indian philosophy.

What daily moment makes you feel you’ve had a good day?
Helping someone understand something new.

At MetisMotion, Shubha brings together scientific depth, genuine curiosity, and an eagerness to keep learning. Whether she is building simulations, exploring new technologies, or helping colleagues understand complex systems, she approaches every challenge with patience, humility, and the belief that engineering is ultimately about improving the world around us.

We’re proud to have Shubha on the team and look forward to seeing where her curiosity will lead next.