A requirements engineer is responsible for defining, documenting and maintaining requirements in the engineering design process for the entire lifecycle.
Why did you choose to go into engineering and when and where did that interest in engineering begin?
My first electric shock aged four, was attempting to see how my father’s favourite lamp worked. My parents had opposing viewpoints on women in engineering – my father, an engineer in the Navy, disagreed with women at work, let alone the boiler room. Conversely, my mother, a career nurse, believed a woman could achieve anything.
Your first job
I joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) aged 17 as an electronics technician. On completion of training, my first post was to the Ground Radio Installation Squadron (GRIS). I was part of a mobile team installing, commissioning and decommissioning airfield communications and radar. As the only woman and barely an adult, I found the male -dominated environment quite tough. I became resilient because of it, so that’s a positive.
How has being a woman in engineering changed since you started working in the profession?
We’ve come a long way since 1989. It began with an indoctrination that female engineers were unusual. My technical drawing teacher hounding me out of classes is an example of this This was at odds with my mother’s counsel that the ability to pursue goals is constrained only by attitude. I felt pressure in my early years to prove I deserved my place, but the truth was, it wasn’t my attitude that needed to change. Towards the end of my military career, I witnessed a more positive shift to inclusivity regardless of race, gender and culture, which can only be a good thing.
Sadhana, Airworthiness Officer
Please describe your first engineering job.
As a graduate Systems engineer, I was involved in the research, design and development of a safety critical terrain following system and later its implementation onto future military aircraft programmes. I led laser systems investigations and co-ordinated specialists for innovative solutions to meet programme requirements. I designed, modelled and integrated the sensor system software within a flight simulator to aid engineering and pilot assessments. I also managed the design and development of the pilot interface for the terrain following system from first principles. This involved developing algorithms and performance testing Head-Up and Head Down Displays within an active aircraft simulation and rig environment.
What do you like most about being an engineer?
I find it rewarding as an engineer that I can draw upon my experience working on different programmes and disciplines to help me solve day-to-day engineering challenges in my current role. Engineering and technology is continually evolving and I enjoy that the challenge that I am continually dealing with new technology. I enjoy that as an engineer you work within a team and that you draw upon the expertise of the engineering team around you. Every day is never the same, you are always met with new challenges. You are never bored.
What do you think needs to be done to encourage more girls/females into engineering?
I believe that from the earliest stage of education that engineering projects / exercises should be introduced into the school curriculum and sponsored by industry. This would raise awareness and education of engineering and science and its role in day-to-day life. There should be more role models from different backgrounds visiting schools exposing girls to different branches of engineering, e.g.: Cyber, Aerospace, Medical or entertainment. However I believe industry need to ‘do their bit’ and invite schools to their facilities for open days.
Therese – Test engineer
How would you describe your current role to someone who knows nothing about engineering?
I work in a small development team, testing the software we develop. My role is to work with my team to ensure we deliver the best code we can, which in turn means our customer gets the best solution.
We work using agile principles, so my role is not restricted. I can therefore be closely involved in analysis and design, coding and problem-solving across the software development lifecycle.
What is your number one reason for being an engineer?
I enjoy the work. There is a creative element to it. I look forward to going in to work each morning, and that’s something that not everyone achieves in their career. We spend a lot of our lives at work, so it seems wrong to be wishing your life away, clock-watching or surviving from one holiday to the next. I have experienced this (outside of engineering) and would never want to return to it.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Balance for Better’. How can engineers contribute to a gender-balanced world?
Recent news stories have focused on the gender data gap, where for instance crash test dummies and stab vest designs were based on the average man. Office temperatures typically use a formula developed in the 1960s based on the metabolic resting rate of the average man.
If women were better represented in the engineering workplace, this “absent presence” would not be so evident. We naturally think of people “like us” when we design anything.
Stacey, Software Engineer
I assumed mechanics and technicians were all guys working in overalls covered in dirt and grease. However, I quickly became enthusiastic about the cadets when I realised it would expose me to a world of engineering
I received the most sexist comments when I worked as parts fitter during University when I used to take great pride in showing customers that us ‘girls’ were equally as capable as our male colleagues.
When I joined Raytheon, I was one of three female engineers on the whole site in Harlow – that was an incredibly daunting experience and at times a bit isolating as there was no one to talk to or relate to with regards to the experience. I didn’t feel like I had a female engineering role model to look to. However, in the five years I’ve been at Raytheon, we’ve seen the numbers of female engineers increase and I am sure that will continue.
My hope is that in the future, female engineers won’t have to face that “outnumbered” feeling when entering a lecture hall of 300 people where fewer than 10 are female, or the feeling of “not belonging” or only being there as the “token” female. Hopefully, those kinds of things won’t be concerns for the women who follow in my footsteps.
Yvonne, Staff Executive
What do you like most about being an engineer?
Engineering gives you a toolset with which to solve problems in all areas of your life and helps you to develop a curiosity about the world. I also quite like surprising people when I tell them about my job and my background – I like to challenge stereotypes and break down barriers. Some of my most satisfying work has been delivering solutions for front-line troops – knowing that you are making life a little easier for people in difficult and dangerous situations is really rewarding and I’m proud to support our military and their allies.
Tell us about an achievement that you are most proud of
As I can’t talk about any of the details of most of the interesting things I’ve done, here’s something more accessible! In 2017, I was recognised as a Chartered Engineer by The Institution of Engineering and Technology and as a Chartered Manager by the Chartered Management Institute. It wasn’t ever my intention to go for both at the same time, and it took a lot of time to prepare for them, but it was great to get that level of professional recognition across both aspects of my job.
Why do you like being an engineer?
I like solving problems and helping people. Being an engineer allows me to use my natural aptitude for science and maths to do both of those things whilst continuously learning more about myself and the world around me. There’s a long-standing engineering joke about being born with ‘The Knack’ and I see an element of truth in it – I think I might have always been destined to become an Engineer, or at least go into a strong STEM subject!
Rebecca, software engineer, C&I
What do you like most about being an engineer?
I’ve always been torn between a technical or creative career, having enjoyed both Computing and Art. Being an Engineer allows me to be both at the same time. You’re constantly learning with engineering. New technology is created, which therefore changes the way we learn and complete our everyday work.
Also, I love being a woman in an industry that mostly consists of men, it feels good to be different! I also enjoy encouraging other women to join the industry too, it would be good to witness the gap between the amount of men compared to women, gradually disappear.
What is your advice for someone either at school/college/university considering a career in engineering?
My advice for someone starting a career in Engineering would to not become overwhelmed by other people’s experience and expertise. I doubted myself a lot when I first started my career, but I can now see it’s an area where people learn from one another. Technologies and Engineering practices are continuously changing.
Also, don’t be afraid of doing something that isn’t considered the “norm”. I was one of only three women on my University Course and I never felt like I stood out or wasn’t supposed to be there.
