Systems Engineer · Head of Engineering Delivery

Richard
Franco

Cloud OTA Americas
Thales DIS · Austin, Texas

Prague, CZ Austin, TX

Chapters

Villavicencio, CO
Bogotá, CO
Rio de Janeiro, BR
Cuernavaca, MX
Prague, CZ
Austin, TX — Now
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From the stone bridges of Prague to the wide skies of Austin —
a life shaped by movement, and grounded in purpose.

About

Born in Villavicencio, Colombia — shaped by five countries, one relentless curiosity, and a belief that great technology is built by people who've truly lived.

I lead engineering delivery for Cloud OTA solutions across the Americas at Thales DIS, bridging complex distributed systems with clear strategic outcomes. My career has taken me from Bogotá to Rio, Cuernavaca to Prague — and now to Austin, Texas, where the next chapter begins.

Each city left something behind: Rio taught me scale; Cuernavaca, patience; Prague, precision. Austin is teaching me momentum.

What moves me
⚽
Football - Atletico Nacional
💻
Technology
📚
Reading
☕
Coffee
🍷
Wine
✈️
Travelling
😊
Being Happy

A life in
motion

Austin
🇺🇸 Texas, USA — Now
Head of Engineering Delivery · Cloud OTA Americas · Thales DIS
Leading cloud Over-the-Air engineering delivery across the Americas for Thales Digital Identity & Security. Driving technical strategy, team performance, and operations excellence.
Prague
🇨🇿 Czechia
Engineering Leadership · European Chapter
Four years immersed in Central Europe's tech scene leading Cloud OTA Software Development team. A chapter defined by deep work, a growing family, and the timeless beauty of a city that makes you slow down and think clearly.
Cuernavaca
🇲🇽 Mexico
Systems Engineering · Latin America
The City of Eternal Spring. Leading AOTA Engineering Delivery, building solutions for a region of enormous potential.
Rio de Janeiro
🇧🇷 Brazil
Technical Engineering · Brazil
The Cidade Maravilhosa shaped my view of scale — both technical and human. A formative chapter in navigating complexity with warmth.
Bogotá
🇨🇴 Colombia
Early Career · Systems & Engineering
Where the career began. Colombia's capital gave me foundation, hunger, and an enduring connection to the country that made me.
Villavicencio
🇨🇴 Colombia — Origin
Born & raised
The Llanos Orientales of Colombia — the beginning of it all. The landscape instilled a certain restlessness, a love of open horizons, and the discipline to reach them.

My life's
engine

Behind every horizon I've chased, every city I've called home — there are three people who make it all matter.

D
Diana Albarracín
Spouse · My compass
The constant in every equation. Through Bogotá, Rio, Cuernavaca, Prague, and now Austin — Diana has been the anchor that makes every adventure possible and every homecoming meaningful.
M
Maia Franco
Daughter · My joy
Seven years old, turning eight, and already a citizen of the world. From Prague's cobblestones to Austin's wide skies — Maia brings colour, laughter, and warmth to everything she touches.
maiafranco.co
J
Juan Sebastián Franco
Son · My pride
Curious, sharp, and full of potential. Juan Sebastián carries the spirit of every country we've lived in — and the promise of wherever he decides to go next.
juanfranco.co

Get in touch

Whether it's a collaboration, a conversation, or a connection — I'm listening.

→ Sends directly to richardfranco66@gmail.com

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