Spotlight: Bernardo Ramirez's Journey from Medicine to Mechatronics

In today’s dynamic industrial landscape, the path to a technical career isn’t always a straight line – sometimes the most inspiring stories come from unexpected pivots. Bernardo Ramirez, a Mechatronics and Robotics Technician at C&W Services, exemplifies how passion, grit, and curiosity can lead to exciting new opportunities.

Bernardo’s career began far from the world of robotics and conveyors – he started his professional journey as a medical assistant. But while he was in the healthcare field, another passion had been brewing – one that started at home. Bernardo’s father, who has been working in the maintenance industry for 40+ years, inspired him to pursue another career path. “I have a lot to thank him for – a lot of my knowledge, and the exposure I have gotten. I would tag along on jobs.” and there he was introduced to the world of maintenance.

When a family friend took a chance and offered Bernardo his first role in maintenance, he jumped at the opportunity, despite having no technical background. “He took a big risk on me. I had no experience under my belt or any mechanical knowledge.” That opportunity led him to the Forever 21 distribution center, where he built his foundational skills. “I worked on belt conveyors, mechanical conveyors, MDR rollers, different types of sorter systems. That’s where I started to learn the basics – using tools, power tools, and understanding belt tension.”

Looking to grow, Bernardo attended an open house at Chaffey College InTech Center, a key educational partner of C&W Services. There, he met Erica Tang (Manager, Sourcing & Corporate Recruiting Functions), and Joshua Gonzalez (SBD6 Maintenance Manager), who introduced him to the opportunities at our client site, Amazon. That connection helped him take the next big step into a more advanced, robotics-focused role.

From there, Bernardo moved quickly, applying through the C&W Services career page he’d learned about at the event. The interview process stood out as unique and memorable. After a phone screening, Bernardo had an in-person interview that tested not only his skills but also his mindset. “My interviewer gave a short walkthrough of the site, stopping at a system where he wanted me to explain what it was called and its purpose,” Bernardo recalls. “He said he’d rather pick someone off the street who doesn’t know anything but is willing to learn than someone who knows everything but doesn’t want to work. Then I gave him a personal anecdote from my experience to demonstrate my drive.”

That story turned the conversation around. “His tone and demeanor immediately changed, he became more friendly, and he said to me ‘That right there is what I was looking for, I wanted to see your character.’ That’s when I realized C&W Services wants to develop people’s skills, but we start with a positive attitude.”

Bernardo knew he’d found the right place to grow. “After my in-person interview and walking the site — being captivated by the complex conveyance, the robotic arms, the drives, the people — all of this combined made my choice to continue with C&W Services really easy.”

Bernardo’s current role puts him at the center of Amazon’s material handling and robotic systems. “My current role is Mechatronics and Robotics Technician, traditionally known as Maintenance Technician Level 2. I’m responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the material handling equipment and the robotic systems.”

Working in such a fast-paced environment keeps things exciting. But what truly stands out for him is the technology. “I’d never seen anything like it before. It captivated me from my first interview with Josh, my Maintenance Manager. I’d never seen any machinery work so fluidly with vertical lifts. It was a sight to see for me; my jaw dropped to the ground.”

One of Bernardo’s biggest surprises in his new role wasn’t just the machines – it was the people. “Everyone is very open, easy to talk to, welcoming, and not afraid to share their knowledge.”  That sense of belonging, he says, has made a huge impact. “Everyone gets along so well. The team dynamic is great. And we’re more than just coworkers; they care about me as a person.”

Although he’s only been with C&W Services for just over a year, Bernardo is already planning his next steps. “The next steps would be a Maintenance Technician Level 3 or a Senior Mechatronics and Robotics Technician. But I have bigger aspirations” he says. Long-term, Bernardo dreams of starting his own business or becoming a trainer to help others break into the field. Part of his drive comes from wanting to impress the man who first inspired him: his father. “I want to be able to prove to him that I have great potential.”

For those looking to get into the maintenance field, Bernardo’s advice is honest and direct. “At first it seems like it would be overwhelming. There’s a lot of moving parts that you feel like you just can’t keep up.” But his message is clear: start anyway. “All I can say to them is just to get into it, to put their hands in. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because mistakes are going to happen regardless.” And when things get tough? “There’s going to be days where it’ll be really hard because you will have nothing but mess-ups but just continue to push through.”

Bernardo’s journey is a powerful reminder that the path to a rewarding career doesn’t have to start with a degree – it can start with a wrench, a mentor, and the courage to try something new. His story shows what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity, and when teams create space for individuals to grow.

As Bernardo continues to learn, lead, and inspire, one thing’s certain: he’s just getting started.