You are not hiring a firm. You are hiring a person.
Switzerland
With a sole consultancy, that matters more than usual. Twenty-five years of engineering leadership, three Build-Operate-Transfer programmes across three countries, and a consultancy that runs on the same methods it sells. Here is the full picture.
Based in Switzerland. Serving Swiss and European organisations across laboratory technology, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and public sector.
My career has taken me from writing code to leading departments of 40+ people, from local Swiss companies to international programmes spanning six countries. Along the way, I've learned that the hardest problems aren't usually technical - they're about people, priorities, and making things actually work in practice.
In 2025, I founded Fognini Tech to bring that perspective to leadership teams who are navigating AI transformation, scaling challenges, or technology strategy decisions. This page is a bit about who I am and what I've done.
At a Glance
Challenges I've Solved
A few examples from my career that show how I approach difficult problems.
Growing a department through rapid change
BUCHI Labortechnik AG, 2021–2025
When I joined, the software department had 18 engineers and was struggling to keep pace with product demands. Over four years, I grew the team to 40+ people, brought critical roles in-house, and increased our release frequency fourfold - all while keeping the team motivated through significant change.
Outcome
A department that now ships predictably and has the internal capability to drive its own roadmap.
“Roberto Fognini developed a clear strategic direction for the software department and implemented it vigorously.”
Introducing AI to a team that wasn't sure about it
BUCHI Labortechnik AG, 2025
Change is hard, and scepticism about new technology is natural - especially when you've seen hype cycles before. The executive team wanted AI modernisation, but the engineering culture needed convincing. I focused on practical wins first - tools that made developers' lives easier - before tackling bigger architectural changes. Building trust before building systems.
Outcome
A foundation for AI adoption that the team actually believes in, with noticeable improvements already visible.
“His strong commitment, enthusiasm, and perseverance have already brought noticeable improvements and laid a solid foundation for the department's future progress.”
Establishing a MedTech delivery hub in Spain
ERNI Schweiz AG / MedTech client, 2020–2022
Setting up a new delivery site means asking people to work differently - and that's never easy. We built a 20+ person team in Barcelona for a MedTech client, helping everyone adjust to new processes and ways of collaborating. Lots of conversations, pairing senior engineers with newcomers, and staying patient when things took longer than expected. Eighteen months later, the client took over a fully functioning operation.
Outcome
A successful delivery site that continued to operate long after handover.
“Work effort and results were perfectly aligned, and targets were often exceeded.”
Helping build the digital banking of the future
ERNI Schweiz AG / Fintech client, 2019–2020
Digital banking was still finding its feet, and our client was building something genuinely new - a mobile-first bank designed for a generation that expected everything to just work. I led a 40+ person delivery team, coordinating across multiple workstreams while keeping everyone aligned on what mattered: shipping features that customers would actually use.
Outcome
A functioning digital banking platform that launched on schedule and continued to grow.
“Work effort and results were perfectly aligned, and targets were often exceeded.”
Full ownership from the start
root-service ag, 2003–2013
Early in my career, I was given full responsibility for two complex software products - product ownership, quality assurance, customer support, and training. Most people don't get that breadth of exposure until much later. It was an accelerated education in what it actually takes to ship software that works.
Outcome
A foundation in understanding the full product lifecycle that still shapes how I approach problems today.
“He convinces even in critical situations with his customer-oriented thinking and constructive proposals.”
Where I'm Strong
The areas where I've built the most experience and can add the most value.
Scaling teams without losing culture
I've grown departments from 18 to 40+ people while keeping teams motivated and aligned. Scaling isn't just about hiring - it's about building the right structures, rhythms, and communication patterns that let people do their best work.
Grew department from 18 to 40+ people while maintaining team cohesion and delivery quality
Making AI practical, not theoretical
I bridge the gap between AI ambition and engineering reality. I understand both the strategic value and the implementation details - which means I can help organisations move from "interesting pilot" to "working capability".
Led strategic AI transformation initiative that modernised processes and methods
Leading through uncertainty and change
Crisis management, conflict resolution, navigating organisational politics - I've done it all. When things get difficult, I stay calm, focused, and practical. I make decisions independently and take responsibility for outcomes.
"Consistently demonstrated strong crisis management skills and effectively handled challenging situations" - CTO, BUCHI
Bridging strategy and execution
Most people are either strategic thinkers or hands-on doers. I'm both - from writing code early in my career to advising CTOs on transformation programmes. When I give advice, it's grounded in what actually works.
Cambridge CTO Programme + 20+ years of building, shipping, and leading
My Path
The organisations that shaped how I think and work.
Founder
Fognini Tech
After two decades building within organisations, I founded Fognini Tech to help leadership teams who face the same challenges I spent my career solving - turning technology ambition into working capability.
Head of Software Engineering
BUCHI Labortechnik AG
Four years leading a department transformation: scaling the team, increasing delivery frequency, and introducing AI. Reported directly to the CTO.
Subject Matter Expert / Principal
ERNI Schweiz AG
Led global programmes with teams across six countries. Established delivery sites, managed complex stakeholder relationships, and reported directly to the Group CEO on strategic initiatives.
Software Project Manager
root-service ag
Where it all started. Full product responsibility from early in my career - an unusual level of ownership that shaped everything that came after.
Professional References
Excerpts from formal Swiss reference letters (Arbeitszeugnisse) - official documentation of performance and conduct.
Roberto Fognini played a decisive role in a strategic transformation initiative aimed at improving and modernising the software department's processes and methods through the introduction of AI-driven tools and technologies. His strong commitment, enthusiasm, and perseverance have already brought noticeable improvements and laid a solid foundation for the department's future progress.
Work effort and results were perfectly aligned, and targets were often exceeded. Even under high demands, he worked with focus and delivered consistently good performance.
He communicates clearly, directly, and can also address uncomfortable topics.
He convinces even in critical situations with his customer-oriented thinking and constructive proposals.
Roberto Fognini is a very loyal, independent, and inspiring leader who possesses assertiveness and excellent conflict resolution skills. He practised a consultative, coaching leadership style and enjoyed the trust of his employees.
His actions are thoroughly considered, professionally grounded, and highly responsible. He makes decisions very independently, with foresight, and with great expertise.
Roberto Fognini possessed outstanding professional competencies, particularly regarding software organisation in an agile environment. With his profound knowledge of organising efficient software teams from his previous work in consulting, he developed a clear strategic direction for the software department and implemented it vigorously.
Roberto Fognini consistently demonstrated strong crisis management skills and effectively handled challenging situations to secure project outcomes. By focusing on business priorities, he optimised team performance and ensured continuity in affected projects.
Want to talk?
If you're facing a technology challenge that sounds like something I've worked on, I'm happy to have a conversation. No pitch, no pressure - just a chance to see if I can be helpful.
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