What It Means to Be a Woman in Engineering — Voices from Engibex

At Engibex, innovation isn’t just about cutting-edge projects — it’s also about people. On this International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the brilliant women shaping our company, our clients’ successes, and the future of engineering itself.

We asked a few of our colleagues a simple but powerful question:
“What does being a woman in engineering mean to you — today and going forward?”

Here’s what they shared — honest, insightful, and inspiring.

These stories reflect the personal journeys and experiences of our engineers, highlighting the realities and resilience of women in engineering across different industries and countries.

What inspired you to become an engineer?
My love for mathematics in school inspired me to pursue engineering. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that computer engineering was my true passion—especially after I worked with friends on a simple game to teach the alphabet to kids. That class project was one of the first I ever did, and I loved it!

Can you briefly describe your career journey so far?
I started working as a software engineer 10 years ago and was lucky to work at three major multinational companies across Egypt, France, and Belgium. I’ve progressed from junior to senior engineer over the years, specializing in the automotive industry. It’s such a cool field full of fun challenges—and it always makes me proud when I see a car model I’ve worked on driving next to me on the street!

What’s one challenge and one highlight you’ve experienced as a woman in engineering?
Engineering is a male-dominated field—especially the automotive sector. It’s double the challenge for a female engineer like me. Making my mark in this technical field wasn’t easy. It took courage, hard work, continuous learning, and belief in my own abilities to break through gender barriers and leave an impact wherever I worked. I’ve also taken on leadership roles and proven that I can be both a strong team player and a visionary leader.

What advice would you give to young women thinking about a career in engineering?
Don’t be scared—believe in yourself. Grow your skillset and keep learning, because in the end, that’s what sets you apart as a great engineer—not your background or your gender!

What inspired you to become an engineer?
I always enjoyed physics in school, especially electromagnetics. That interest led me to electrical engineering—it felt like the perfect mix of theory and real-world application.

Can you briefly describe your career journey so far?
I completed my bachelor’s in electrical engineering in India, followed by a master’s focused on electric machines and drives in the UK. In 2018, I joined a research institute in Germany, working on flux-switching machines. Two years later, I moved to Belgium to work at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, researching magnet-free motors for electric vehicles. Since 2025, I’ve been with Engibex as an electric motor engineer.

What’s one challenge and one highlight you’ve experienced as a woman in engineering?
A key challenge is that as a woman, you sometimes need to work harder to be taken seriously. It’s not always obvious, but there are moments when you have to speak up more to make your point.
On the positive side, I love that it’s becoming more common to see women in engineering. Working in diverse teams—where everyone brings a unique perspective—makes collaboration more dynamic and leads to better outcomes.

What advice would you give to young women thinking about a career in engineering?
Take time to explore what truly interests you. Surround yourself with people who support your growth, and stay curious.

What inspired you to become an engineer?
Honestly, it started with curiosity. Growing up in a small town in India, I always wondered — how do things work? But more than that, I saw how limited the options were for girls around me. Engineering was not something people expected a girl to pursue, and that made me want it even more. I wanted to prove — to myself and to others — that where you come from or what society expects shouldn’t define what you can achieve. Engineering became my way of pushing past those limits and creating something bigger than myself.

Can you briefly describe your career journey so far?
My journey started with curiosity — and over the past eight years, that curiosity has grown into a really fulfilling career.
Right now, I’m working as a Diagnostic Controls Engineer in Belgium, helping one of Europe’s top transmission providers troubleshoot and optimize complex systems.
Prior to that, I was a Senior Engineering Consultant in Germany, working with the VW Group. I focused on thermal management ECU software — improving designs and ensuring everything was tested to the highest standards, using tools like MATLAB-Simulink and Stateflow.
Earlier, at Mercedes-Benz R&D, I worked on AUTOSAR-based models for engine ECUs, which deepened my knowledge of vehicle control systems. And even before that, as a Technical Lead at KPIT Technologies in India, I was involved in developing emission systems — an experience that really helped me grow technically and as a leader.
Throughout all these roles, I’ve been fortunate to work on innovative projects with amazing teams across different countries — and each step has helped me keep pushing what’s possible in engineering.

What’s one challenge and one highlight you’ve experienced as a woman in engineering?
There were times when I was the only woman in the room, and while no one said it outright, the atmosphere sometimes made it clear that I had more to prove. Those moments, though subtle, were challenging — but they also fueled my determination to show that women belong at the table, not just as supporters, but as equals.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been the chance to redefine what women can achieve in the world of engineering. Every role I’ve taken on — from my current position in Belgium to my time in Germany — has allowed me not just to break through barriers, but to make a tangible impact. The pride I feel when my contributions are recognized, and the moments when I see other women stepping into similar roles, are what make all the challenges worth it.

What advice would you give to young women thinking about a career in engineering?
Having worked across different countries for over eight years, my biggest advice to young women considering engineering is to truly believe in yourself. You will face moments of self-doubt — trust me, every successful person has been there. What matters most is pushing forward, even when things feel uncertain or challenging.
Embrace a growth mindset, because no one starts out as an expert. Seek out every chance to learn — whether through education, internships, or finding mentors who can guide you. And don’t be afraid of failure; every setback is a valuable lesson that brings you closer to success.

What inspired you to become an engineer?
I was interested in physics experiments during my studies, and I enjoyed validating theories with test observations and data. That’s how I got interested in engineering. So, I started my career as an NVH test engineer.

Can you briefly describe your career journey so far?
I started as an NVH test engineer, and a year later, my responsibilities expanded — I began working as an NVH development engineer.
Since 2022, I’ve been increasingly involved in the development and testing of electric drive units. In 2024, my title officially changed to Inverter and NVH Development Engineer.

What’s one challenge and one highlight you’ve experienced as a woman in engineering?
As a test engineer, it’s unavoidable to perform hands-on tasks, such as mounting and dismounting the devices under test — which was physically challenging for me.
But over time, as my experience and knowledge grew, I gained respect for my expertise. My communication skills also helped me when working with customers and suppliers, which has been a big advantage as a woman in engineering.

What advice would you give to young women thinking about a career in engineering?
Follow your interests and do what you enjoy. Worry less about others’ opinions.

Final Thoughts

At Engibex, we believe that engineering thrives when driven by diverse perspectives, bold thinking, and inclusive environments. Through the voices of Doha, Kritika, Shital, and Yuan, it’s clear that women in engineering not only contribute deep technical expertise — they bring resilience, innovation, and leadership to the table.

Their stories reflect our core values at Engibex:

• Entrepreneurial spirit — taking initiative, breaking barriers
• Human-centric approach — valuing personal growth and support
• Curiosity and high-tech ambition — pushing the edge of R&D across sectors
• Collaboration across cultures — with more than 20 nationalities and open-mindedness at our core

As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we remain committed to fostering a culture where talent thrives, voices are heard, and every engineer — no matter their background — can shape the future.

Here’s to the next generation of women in STEM — we’re proud to be part of the journey.