Building careers together: Two generations of excellence at Calculex
October 31, 2025
Pictured above: (L-R) Sergio and Christopher Favela and Alex and Benita Tinajero
Four employees share what it’s like when your parent — or child — works down the hall, and why Calculex is the kind of place where that actually works.
At Calculex, we don’t just build mission-critical defense technology — we build a workplace that our employees are confident recommending it to others — including members of their own families. In fact, some of our most compelling stories come from families who have chosen to build their careers side by side, generation after generation.
Meet two remarkable parent-child pairs who exemplify what makes Calculex special: Sergio and Christopher Favela, and Benita and Alex Tinajero. Sergio is product test lead and Christopher is an electrical engineering intern while Benita is a test support engineer and Alex is an electrical engineer. Their stories reveal not just a workplace, but a culture where expertise, respect and family values converge.
The Favela Legacy: A Father’s Dream Becomes His Son’s Reality
Sergio Favela attended Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to become a certified IPC tech. When an opportunity opened up at Calculex, it turned out to be one that would span decades and eventually welcome the next generation.
For his son Christopher, the dream began very early.
“Ever since I was 5, I knew I wanted to do something related to engineering,” Christopher recalls. “That’s thanks to my dad always encouraging me to go to college and to strive for greatness.”
Those childhood visits to see where his father worked planted a seed. “My dad had taken me to Calculex when I was little so I could see where he worked and what he did,” Christopher says, “and I always knew that I wanted to work at Calculex one day.”
When the opportunity came from a chance meeting at a company event during Christopher’s third year of college — both father and son felt a mix of emotions. Former CEO Marty Small and Tom Wyzgowski offered Christopher an internship on the spot. Sergio remembers feeling “gratitude, excitement, and even a bit of surprise.”
Setting the Standard
But Sergio made one thing clear from the start: The opportunity was just the beginning. “My dad told me that once I got the job it would be my responsibility to prove that I deserve to work here. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that Calculex provided me with.”
Christopher proved himself quickly. Under the supervision and guidance of Ernie Meza, he demonstrated remarkable aptitude. “In his first month at work, despite having no prior hands-on experience, he demonstrated the ability to effectively troubleshoot, repair, and fix PCBs,” Sergio recalls.
Today, the father-son dynamic at work centers on mutual respect and support. “The work at Calculex is challenging,” Sergio acknowledges, “and it’s nice to be there to support him. I also really enjoy having lunch together — it’s a good way to take a break and connect.”
Their regular 10 a.m. walks have become a cherished ritual. “I love our walks because it gives me time to get my steps in and to talk with my dad about our plans for the weekend,” Christopher says.
A new appreciation
Working alongside his father gave Christopher a new appreciation for Sergio’s skills.
“I always knew that my dad was good at what he did,” Christopher admits, “but I didn’t truly understand how good he was until I started working here at Calculex. Some tasks look impossible, but my dad still gets the job done.”
The collaboration extends beyond breaks. “I appreciate seeing my father at work — he’s always there to help with a challenge,” Christopher says.
For Sergio, the principle guiding both relationships is simple: “‘Respect’ is applicable in both roles — ’parent mode’ and ‘coworker mode.’”
The Tinajero journey: Three decades in the making at Calculex
Benita Tinajero’s Calculex story began over 30 years ago with a summer job. She was in her second semester toward an EE degree and looking for related work.
“I heard that Calculex was hiring solder techs,” she remembers. “I had just gotten an associate degree in electronics technology and had a solder certification.”
What started as a summer position became a three-decade career built on variety and challenge.
“Every day is not the same in my line of work,” Benita explains. “One day I’m doing rework on a board, the next day I might build a cable. Some days I work on the computer searching for parts; other times I am doing paperwork or checking schematics. My job is not just sitting by the workbench all day doing the same thing, which is what I love about it.”
A career path of his own
Her son Alex always had engineering in mind, though he didn’t truly know what it entailed at first.
“I honestly did not know what my parents did when I was growing up,” Alex says, “but for some reason I always had in my mind that I wanted to be an engineer.”
When he graduated, Alex says Calculex offered him something special: “A big opportunity to grow with a smaller company, plus knowing I can help grow and learn more with the opportunity to work on various things.”
Benita supported his decision, emphasizing practical benefits like carpooling and the short commute along with a position at a company she knew and trusted.
What started as a part-time internship while Alex finished his degree evolved into a full career at Calculex.
Reversing roles, building respect
One of the most interesting dynamics of the situation was how the traditional parent-child relationship gets flipped at work.
“It changes the entire dynamic of ‘always listen to your parents,’” Alex laughs, “since now they must listen and follow your instructions. But we are always working together and I’m always receiving advice as to how Calculex works for its process and procedures.”
Benita navigates both roles with grace.
“I know when to advise as a parent and when to guide as a coworker so he can find the answers to work-related questions,” she explains. “When we run into each other in the hallway, I just smile like I do to all co-workers.”
The pride shows through when Benita talks about Alex’s accomplishments.
“I’m always impressed when he picks up work-related stuff so quickly,” she says.
The Calculex advantage
For Alex, working in the same area as his mother provides constant support. The workplace humor is an added bonus:
“Probably all the ‘I’m going to tell your parents’ joke from other coworkers,” he says. “There are always funny moments when new workers have no idea and then find out she’s my mom and are surprised.”
The best perk for Benita?
“Carpool!” she says. “I think that is the best part — having a chauffeur, especially when you must drive 30+ minutes home after a long workday.”
What makes Calculex different
Both families point to the same core values that make Calculex a place where multiple generations have chosen to build their careers.
Christopher Favela puts it simply:
“I think what makes Calculex so special to work at is the people. We have a good work environment where everyone treats each other with respect and kindness. We also have cookouts and other work bonding events that make my coworkers feel like my second family.”
Alex Tinajero highlights the collaborative culture: “It’s so much easier to ask for advice on processes when you have more confidence in asking someone for help on understanding things.”
The parents see it too. Benita appreciates Calculex’s personal touch:
“Calculex knows that I live in a town outside of the city and they are concerned about my wellbeing when there is bad weather, snow or torrential rain showers or bad dust storms.”
Sergio values being heard: “I feel Calculex values my opinion. In a more personal level Calculex has been flexible with my schedule. I understand many of us have personal needs and Calculex has been there for me.”
Building more than technology
The Favela and Tinajero families prove that when you create a culture of partnership, excellence and genuine care for your people, you don’t just build better technology — you build lasting legacies.
As Christopher says: “I love working with my dad because when we have breaks or work activities we get to talk and have our father-son moments.”
Those moments, multiplied across decades and generations, are what make Calculex more than just a workplace. They make it family.
Interested in joining the Calculex family? Learn more about career opportunities at Calculex, a Spectra Defense Technologies company, where we’re committed to partnership, performance and building solutions that matter.