Safa Majidov grew up in the small village of Sapnakaran, Lankaran. From an early age, he was curious about how things worked, a curiosity that led him to the Azerbaijan State Marine Academy, where he graduated in 2011 with a degree in Ship Automation and Electrical Energy Systems. Even as a student, Safa was exploring practical applications beyond textbooks.
After completing his military service, he began his professional journey at Timsport (Technogym), maintaining electrical and electronic systems for sports equipment and amusement facilities. Four years of hands-on technical experience prepared him for the next step: joining Glensol in 2016 as a Top Drive Service Engineer. There, he worked both offshore and onshore, mastering the complexities of oil and gas engineering.
“When I first started, foreign specialists wouldn’t share their knowledge. We had to figure everything out ourselves—reading manuals, studying Top Drive equipment, learning by doing,” Safa recalls.
Mastering Complexity in High-Stakes Environments
Safa’s career progressed rapidly. From Top Drive Field Service Engineer to Maintenance Team Lead, he became a key figure in managing complex operations. Today, he oversees the SMO Project, also known as the Pig Launcher, a station that sends pigs down pipelines to clean and inspect 492 km of infrastructure extending to Georgia. Safa manages diesel generators, HVAC systems, UPS, switchboard panels, pumps, electrical motors, valves and more—every component critical for smooth operation.
In addition, he leads maintenance at a gas drying facility in Hacıqabul, managing an 8-person team and ensuring systems run 24/7. His role requires both meticulous planning and hands-on execution.
“The most difficult problems often come from the simplest places. A cable connection overlooked years ago can cause hours of investigation. Engineering requires patience, persistence, and focus,” Safa reflects.
Life in the Field: Nights, Heat, and Challenges
Safa and his team often work under extreme conditions. There were nights from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., operating in complete darkness with only flashlights and explosion-proof phones. Inside generators room, temperatures reached 50-60°C. Insects, heat, and unforeseen equipment issues tested their endurance.
“Sometimes the toughest challenges hide in the simplest things. But solving them—that’s the satisfaction of engineering,” he said.
It is these experiences that have shaped Safa’s expertise and leadership. He balances multiple roles—supervisor, team lead, and electrical engineer—while always ensuring safety, efficiency, and continuous learning for his team.
Mentorship, Inspiration, and Lifelong Learning
Safa believes in the power of guidance and knowledge sharing. Early in his career, he benefited from the advice and support of experienced engineers, which helped him take ownership of his skills and grow rapidly. Today, he pays it forward by mentoring colleagues, emphasizing discipline over fleeting motivation, and helping others navigate complex technical challenges.
“This is our land, this is our oil. Why should we fall behind?” he recalls.
Guided by such mentorship, Safa not only mastered his craft but also became a mentor himself. He emphasizes discipline over fleeting motivation.
“Motivation comes and goes, but discipline lasts. Even when work isn’t easy, discipline allows you to do your best every day,” Safa said.
Beyond Engineering: A Scholar, Writer, and Translator
Outside the field, Safa Majidov channels the same curiosity and discipline into his intellectual pursuits. He is a prolific translator, working to make technical knowledge accessible to Azerbaijani readers. Over the years, he has translated and completed more than 25 technical books on electronics and electrotechnics, including Electrotechnics (originally by Lomonosov), Fundamentals of Electronics, Electronics 1 & 2, Electronic Components, Q&A in Electronics Science, and more than a dozen others.
“I don’t just translate books—I rebuild them,” said Safa.
One of his most remarkable projects involved a partially translated book he found online. The original Russian version had been translated into Azerbaijani decades ago, but the translation was incomplete and unusable. Safa meticulously researched, completed the missing sections, added clarifications and diagrams, and created a 467-page fully accurate edition. He then donated copies to universities, shared them on online platform, and submitted a copy to the Presidential Library, ensuring students and researchers could freely access this knowledge freely.
Safa’s dedication goes beyond the printed page. He has compiled a technical dictionary from his translations, creating new terms where necessary to make complex concepts clear in Azerbaijani. He also shares his work digitally at elektroavtomatika.blogspot.com, making his books and translations are freely available as PDFs to students, engineers, and enthusiasts across the country.
In addition to technical work, Safa enjoys poetry and creative writing, weaving reflection and curiosity into his personal projects. His literary pursuits complement his scientific mind, offering him a creative outlet that balances the intensity of engineering work.
“Knowledge should be accessible to everyone. If a student or young engineer can learn from my work, then all the effort is worth it,” he reflects.
Through both engineering and translation, Safa demonstrates a philosophy that bridges technical mastery with community contribution—always learning, always sharing, and always building systems that outlast a single person.
A Philosophy of Systems and Continuous Improvement
For Safa, engineering is not just about machines—it’s about systems, reliability, and continuous learning. He designs processes that don’t rely on a single person, ensuring continuity even if a team member is absent. His work combines hands-on field experience with strategic oversight of maintenance, budgets, and operational efficiency.
“Even after years in this field, I know the path of learning never truly ends. The more knowledge a person gains, the more clearly they see the vastness of what they don’t know. No matter how far I walk, I realize that learning is not a destination but an endless journey — and it is this very endlessness that keeps a person alive, curious, and moving forward. Technology evolves fast, and curiosity must evolve faster,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Safa Majidov’s story is one of curiosity, discipline, and dedication. From small villages to offshore rigs, from technical manuals to full-scale pipelines, he has mastered his craft through perseverance and passion. His journey shows that engineering is more than machinery—it’s a mindset, a discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
In every challenge he faces, whether in the field or through the pages of a technical book, Safa applies the same philosophy: precision, continues learning, and dedication to excellence.
“Engineering teaches you patience and observation. Outside work, translating, writing, and reading allows me to explore ideas in ways the field cannot. It keeps me balanced,” said Safa.
Source: NOBEL ENERGY
Prepared: Gulnar Farzaliyeva