Where people power technology

Technology is what brought Telian Franken to Nobleo Technology, but people are what keeps him motivated every day. As Group Leader of Autonomous and Intelligence (A&I) Systems, he works at the forefront of robotics and AI, helping his teams and the customers tackle complex engineering challenges. Yet ask him what he enjoys most, and the conversation quickly shifts away from technology. Instead, he talks about teamwork, trust, and allowing people to thrive. “My job is to give my teams the freedom and confidence to take ownership, removing the obstacles they shouldn’t have to worry about. If people are growing, the team grows with them.”

A global perspective

Telian’s story starts far from the Netherlands. Born and raised in Botswana to a Dutch father and a German mother, he grew up surrounded by wide-open landscapes and different cultures. At nineteen, he moved to the Netherlands to study Mechanical Engineering, determined to broaden his horizons and build an international career.

Over the years, he has worked across different engineering disciplines and took on various leadership roles, steadily expanding his knowledge of technology and team management. Yet he felt an important piece of the puzzle was still missing. “I had worked in hardware, manufacturing and operations, but software was still an area I didn’t know so much about. As the world is becoming increasingly digital, I also wanted to expand my knowledge in that respect. When Nobleo offered me the opportunity to become Group Lead of two software teams, I just couldn’t resist.”

Leading from behind

Although Telian works in one of the company’s most advanced technology domains, he never describes success in terms of software, algorithms or AI alone. Instead, he talks about people. “I don’t believe a leader has to be the smartest technical person in the room,” he says. “My role is to create an environment in which others can perform at their best.” That philosophy shapes his leadership style every day.

Rather than directing every decision, he gives his team ownership and encourages initiative. He describes himself as a shield for the team: “I carry the weight they should not have to, giving them the freedom to excel.” It is an approach that fits both his personality and the culture at Nobleo.

“The openness and willingness to trust people quickly convinced me I had found the right place. If you take responsibility, Nobleo gives you the opportunity to make a real impact.”

Stronger together

That people-first approach becomes especially visible when challenges arise. Telian gets the most satisfaction from seeing a team come together and achieve something that initially seemed impossible. He recalls a project where the customer had spent years trying to solve a robotic challenge internally before they approached Nobleo. Telian’s team had only weeks to deliver a working solution with a minimal budget. “And they came out swinging! The thing I am most proud of is not the solution they came up with. It’s rather seeing the team stepping up, completely relying on each other and simply getting on with it. The less I have to interfere, the happier I am.”

That people-first mindset extends beyond his own department. Alongside leading the A&I teams, he increasingly contributes to customer relationships and business development. Rather than focusing on individual projects, he enjoys building long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and shared ambitions. “We’re not interested in delivering just another solution,” he says. “The goal is to build something together that creates value for everyone involved. That combination of technical excellence and genuine collaboration is, in my view, what makes Nobleo stand out. It is also why customers continue to return with some of their most challenging engineering questions.”

Adventure awaits

Away from work, Telian’s boundless energy finds a different outlet. Together with friends, he regularly heads off on multi-day off-road motorcycle trips through remote parts of Europe, carrying everything needed to camp along the way. He simply enjoys discovering places most travellers never see. “I love going off the beaten track,” he says. “Meeting local people and experiencing places that aren’t in the guidebooks. That’s what makes those trips special.”

Travel has always been part of his life, but these days another adventure takes centre stage. Recently becoming a father has added a completely new dimension to his ambitions. While he still enjoys challenging himself both personally and professionally, his growing family increasingly shapes the future he wants to build. That balance between ambition and people, between pushing boundaries and creating opportunities, is what defines Telian.

A certain drive

And at Nobleo he feels that all those aspects fall into place. When asked what he values the most, his answer is simply ‘the people.’

“They are the type of people I get real pleasure from being around. People who think about things bigger than themselves, driven to make a difference.”

That drive is matched by an unusually open culture, with no closed offices and short lines between colleagues. “If someone has an idea, they are encouraged to bring it in and discuss it with the rest of the team. That creates a feeling that we’re in this together.” “It’s an environment,” he adds, “that matches exactly the kind of person I am; curious, driven and excited to take on new challenges.”

Does working in a team like this suit your style? Take a look at our vacancy page!