Damien Sallé was awarded Ph.D. in Robotics (2004) from University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris) for his research on minimally invasive surgical robotics. From 2005 to 2010, he created and managed the R&D department of the French robotics SME Robosoft. He has contributed to the development of more than 10 robotic products and more than 70 applications: from companion robots for elderly people to autonomous transportation shuttles and off-road rugged mobile robots.

In 2010 he integrated the Spanish technological research center Tecnalia as project manager and created the Agile and Flexible Robotics group (15 researchers). He defines the scientific and business strategy of the group, manages R&D projects and ensures funding from collaborative and industrial projects.

He is also since 2018 the coordinator of the Flexible robotics node of the Basque Digital Innovation Hub (BDIH) in collaboration with the basque government and agencies, promoting the deployment of robotics in the SMEs.

Since 2020 he is coordinator of the technological strategy for Robotics and Automation within all the groups in Tecnalia (82 researchers), promoting transversality and joint technological solutions to provide impact in society and companies. He is Senior project manager and in particular promotes and develops a new activity in Robotics for Environmental sustainability and Circular Economy.

In 2022, he received an award for “Research Career Excellence" issued by the Basque government and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), regrouping 17 research centers and more than 4000 researchers.