Fresh Perspective

Omar Rivera

Utility and controls engineer at Monterrey Metal Recycling Solutions

Omar Rivera began his career as a machine maintenance technician in the manufacturing industry.

With multiple degrees from DeVry University, including an associate’s degree in information technology, a bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences and support services and a master’s degree in information systems management, Rivera held multiple engineering roles before landing in the recycling industry a little more than a year ago.

“When the chance came to work with [Monterrey Metal Recycling Solutions], it seemed very ambitious,” he says. “Our CEO, Jordan [Vexler], has great plans for the company. I saw the opportunity to learn and grow, so I thought it was just too good to pass up. I love a challenge, and her vision for Monterrey is that she’s trying to take it to new heights. That inspired me to join the team.”

As a utility and controls engineer at San Antonio-based Monterrey Metal Recycling Solutions, Rivera provides professional advice, custom designs and software and hardware modifications to keep the company’s systems running smoothly and efficiently. His work spans project management, 3D modeling, programmable logic controllers and human machine interfaces programming, troubleshooting and drawing up schematics. Rivera also has been involved in implementing multiple safety controls on the company’s machines.

Although his previous skills and experience in manufacturing transferred smoothly to his role with Monterrey, the recycling industry wasn’t on Rivera’s radar initially.

“All of the processes were very new to me,” he says. “I learned how some metal is sorted, what kind of people bring in metal, what companies are in the industry. It’s fun to learn. … I feel real satisfaction in working with complex projects and challenging issues.

In the following interview, Rivera discusses the recycling industry’s evolving safety landscape.

"Now that I’m working in the recycling industry, it’s especially rewarding to know that my work has a positive impact on the world.”

Recycling Today (RT): What are some of the safety initiatives you’ve helped spearhead at Monterrey?

Omar Rivera (OR): Safety is a core element in everything I design, program and recommend. We’re currently working on implementing a custom shredder rotor-stop to enhance worker safety when they’re working near the shredder. We’re also working on making machine guards.

I like to make things easy to work with while also being safe but easy to maintain. We’re considering what other work is going to be involved with machine guarding. There’s a lot of cleaning [and upkeep] that they have to do. All the things we make have to be easy to use and easy to work with. Sometimes, you just want to make something easy, but that’s not safe. It’s got to be a good balance between both of them.

RT: How do you see the industry’s approach to safety evolving?

OR: Technology will push safety to a new level in this industry. Things like safety notifications, automated emergency calls, fire suppression and robotic systems, they all can be implemented to improve safety.

can definitely create some systems that can help with specific scenarios that that are unsafe.