Quote
Summary
Mini Portfolio
Skills
Overview
Languages
Tools and Technologies
Certification
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Work History
Education
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
Malene Aspesæter

Malene Aspesæter

Barcelona

Quote

The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.
Chinese proverb

Summary

Computational Linguist, Software Developer and Conversational Designer with expertise in AI, ML, and NLP speech technology and localisation. Proficient in developing language models, and fine-tuning voice recognition and intent analysis systems. Demonstrated success in delivering multilingual solutions with accuracy, cultural sensitivity and market relevance.

🗨️ Empathic and reflective thinker with a creative background bringing a nuanced approach to tone, pace and flow in conversational design.

Mini Portfolio

Chaya CC Project – QA & conversation designer for AI training (current).

Volkswagen Group – back-end software development for luxury smart-cars.

"Hey, robot!" – back-end development of AI voice assistant's Machine Learning Language Model and expansion of comprehensive NER database.

Skills

  • Conversational design
  • Discourse & syntax analysis
  • Phonetic transcription
  • Linguistic annotation
  • Data annotation & structuring
  • Python scripting & NLP tools
  • Code review & debugging
  • Speech recognition development
  • Software development lifecycle
  • Creative & academic writing

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
7
7

Languages

1
1

LSRA Face Recognition Certification

Languages

████████ Native English
████████ Native Norwegian
███████░ Advanced Swedish
███████░ Advanced Danish
██████░░ Advanced Spanish
████░░░░ Intermediate French
███░░░░░ Intermediate German

Tools and Technologies

Python, Bash, Zsh, PowerShell, SQL, BNF, JSON, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, GitHub, MS Office, Google Workspace, Notepad++, Confluence, Rdar, Webex, Teams, Quip, Slack, BambooHR, Ticketing systems, ASR, TTS, IPA, SAMPA, Praat, Audacity, Cool Edit, Zoom H4

Certification

LSRA Licensed Super Recogniser

Face Recognition | Behavioural Analysis | Psychology

Z-score: 4.97 - category "Outstanding"

✨ Awarded by Lord Lingfield on behalf of ASR, SRI and the University of Greenwich. London, UK - Nov 2021.

Accomplishments

✨ 1st place winner of PB:Running 5K races in Barcelona in 2023 and 2024.

✨ Completed the 2023 Valencia Marathon and 2021 Glasgow Half Marathon, representing PB:Running.

✨ Commissioned musician and composer for Risør Chamber Music Festival 2008, Norway.

✨ UKM talent show - national distinction in Fine Art in 2003, 2004 and 2006, Trondheim, Norway.

Affiliations

Illustration & storytelling: Naturalistic/conceptual drawing, visual storytelling, social themes through character design.
Music & ensemble: Trained musician and mentor, passion for film scores and emotional sound architecture.

Work History

Linguist, NLP Developer

Self-employed Language Expert
Barcelona
01.2023 - Current

QA developer optimizing human dialogue design for Chaya AI training on project (current).

Computational linguist and software developer with expertise in multilingual NLP.

✓ ⧉ Philologist: Advanced Spanish & Latin American Studies at HIOF (2024).

NLU Software Developer

Volkswagen Group via emagine
Barcelona
01.2023 - 09.2023

NLU Developer of comprehensive Norwegian software package for smart-car voice assistant

  • Owned the full pipeline for Norwegian, from grammar writing and ASR/TTS testing to QA and deployment.
  • Created, fine-tuned, and tested Python scripts, BNF grammars, and NLP models for Norwegian.
  • Part of Agile, remote team maintaining a multilingual codebase; supported teammates across languages through collaborative QA, code reviews, and sprint-based problem-solving.
  • Expanded audio corpora and recorded localised prompts while continuously testing ASR/TTS integration.
  • Localised specifications and dialogue from English and German into Norwegian.
  • Used Git for test-driven development and effective source control.

MEP Computational Linguist (Million Entities)

US tech client via M47 Labs
Barcelona
09.2021 - 12.2022

Computational Linguist developing NLP models to improve ASR and TTS performance in Norwegian virtual assistant software.

  • Used Python and shell scripting for coding, testing, debugging, and QA.
  • Led Norwegian bring-up and developed phonemic models and morphological predictors using expertise in articulatory phonetics.
  • Performed phonemic transcription, linguistic annotation, and cultural research to enrich the Million Entities database.
  • Created technical documentation, shared knowledge, and presented project updates in all-hands webinars.

Substitute Teacher ⧉

Abel Skole, Gjerstad Skole, Fiane Skole
Gjerstad
02.2018 - 08.2020

Substitute teacher for grades 1-10 covering all subjects, excursions, and day-care.

🗨️ ⧉ Linguistics expert providing extra language support and stability for pupils with special education requirements.

Art Teacher ⧉

Kulturskolen Øst i Agder
Gjerstad
02.2018 - 12.2019

Art Teacher managing evening art school for children and youths.

✓ Designed successful art campaign, achieving recruitment increase of 500%.

Managing Director ⧉

Gjerstad Frivilligsentral (2014-15 and 2018-2019)
Gjerstad
02.2018 - 06.2019

Managing director overseeing volunteers, community engagement, event organisation and daily operations.

✓ Directed a portfolio of fundraising, recruitment and volunteering projects to successful completion.

Estimation, Contracts, Audio PA ⧉

CCG Scotland Ltd
Cambuslang
03.2016 - 01.2018

Cross-functional aministrator in the construction industry.

Support Analyst, Temp, Tutor

Primestaff, Arnold Clark, Edinburgh Tutors
Scotland
02.2015 - 01.2018

Managing Director

Gjerstad Frivilligsentral (also in 2018-2019)
Gjerstad
08.2014 - 03.2015

Technical Support Analyst

IBM and Xerox via Concentrix
Greenock
01.2014 - 08.2014

Seasonal Work ⧉

Archived work and volunteer experience (2003-2013)
06.2003 - 12.2013

Experience in retail management, education, hospitality, animal care, advertising, art, music and event production. Details available on request.

Education

Master of Arts - English Language & Linguistics (Hons)

University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, UK
07-2013

60 ECTS - Informatics

University of South-Eastern Norway
Bø, Norway
06-2022

60 ECTS - Spanish And Latin American Studies

Østfold University College
Halden, Norway
06-2024

30 ECTS - Advanced Spanish & Latin American Studies

Østfold University College
Halden, Norway
12-2024

Timeline

Linguist, NLP Developer

Self-employed Language Expert
01.2023 - Current

NLU Software Developer

Volkswagen Group via emagine
01.2023 - 09.2023

MEP Computational Linguist (Million Entities)

US tech client via M47 Labs
09.2021 - 12.2022

Substitute Teacher ⧉

Abel Skole, Gjerstad Skole, Fiane Skole
02.2018 - 08.2020

Art Teacher ⧉

Kulturskolen Øst i Agder
02.2018 - 12.2019

Managing Director ⧉

Gjerstad Frivilligsentral (2014-15 and 2018-2019)
02.2018 - 06.2019

Estimation, Contracts, Audio PA ⧉

CCG Scotland Ltd
03.2016 - 01.2018

Support Analyst, Temp, Tutor

Primestaff, Arnold Clark, Edinburgh Tutors
02.2015 - 01.2018

Managing Director

Gjerstad Frivilligsentral (also in 2018-2019)
08.2014 - 03.2015

Technical Support Analyst

IBM and Xerox via Concentrix
01.2014 - 08.2014

Seasonal Work ⧉

Archived work and volunteer experience (2003-2013)
06.2003 - 12.2013

Master of Arts - English Language & Linguistics (Hons)

University of Aberdeen

60 ECTS - Informatics

University of South-Eastern Norway

60 ECTS - Spanish And Latin American Studies

Østfold University College

30 ECTS - Advanced Spanish & Latin American Studies

Østfold University College
Malene Aspesæter