Maryna Kharlamova: Data & Monitoring Specialist
The 30-year-old Maryna Kharlamova works as a Data & Monitoring Specialist at Omexom, where she is responsible for monitoring solar plants. She develops digital twins, tracks the performance of power plants, and ensures compliance with contractual agreements. Maryna also coordinates interventions as part of the monitoring plan and provides support in the commissioning of new plants. Her responsibilities range from full plant checks to calculating annual performance ratios. In addition, she supervises on-site colleagues to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
“I had no technical background, luckily my
colleagues were very supportive.”
- Name: Maryna Kharlamova
- Age: 30
- Studies: Law (Ukrainian National Law University)
- Function: Data & Monitoring Specialist
- Hobbies: Kickboxing & yoga
Your background is not in engineering, so how did you end up in this position?
Maryna: I originally studied law in Ukraine. It’s quite common there for people to study law or economics, even if they don’t end up working in those fields. Knowing what I know now, I would have chosen something more aligned with my interests—like engineering. After graduating, I started working as an English teacher, but when the war broke out, my students could no longer attend classes. That’s when I decided it was time for a change. I began working remotely for VINCI Energies, a company I learned about through my partner, who worked there as a remote engineer. Later, we were both invited to join the team on-site at Omexom. As you can imagine, I had no technical background at the time, so I had to learn everything on the job. Luckily, my colleagues at VINCI Energies were incredibly supportive and helped me every step of the way.
Have you sometimes doubted yourself during this journey, and how do you deal with this?
Maryna: There are moments when I doubt myself, but the challenges I face push me to grow and test my limits. Besides the invaluable support from my colleagues, my partner has been a big source of encouragement. His best advice to me was not to worry if I can’t do something right away, but to try again—and again—until I get it. That mindset has made a real difference. I also draw strength from the words and legacy of Lesya Ukrainka, a Ukrainian writer and human rights activist who inspires me deeply. Based on my own journey, I would encourage any woman with an interest in engineering to follow that passion. The most important thing is not to let fear hold you back—even if the path is difficult. The tech sector is open to everyone. You just have to trust your potential and believe in your ability to learn and grow.
What factors convinced you and your partner to continue choosing VINCI Energies?
Maryna: What really convinced my partner and me to stay with VINCI Energies was the supportive environment and the chance to learn everything from the ground up. We also really value the flexibility the company offers—for instance, the option to work from home when needed. VINCI Energies also provided us with Dutch language courses, which really helped us integrate better into the local environment. Another great aspect is the company events, which give us the opportunity to connect with colleagues informally—not just within our own team, but also from other departments and branches. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing at Omexom and to keep learning more about the various tasks and areas of expertise, with the support of my team members.
