International Women in Engineering Day 2025
At ENODA, our multidisciplinary team of experts span the fields of Power Systems, Power Electronics, Control Algorithms, Software, Blockchain & Data Engineering.
This year, to mark International Women in Engineering Day, we spoke to some of our team, to hear their perspectives on how the engineering landscape is evolving, and where progress is still required.
We discussed what inspires them, their motivations and learnings and celebrated the achievements of women engineers past, and present.
Q: Which women in engineering (past or present) have inspired you, and how has their work influenced your own career or field?
Akshita Chaudhary, Database Engineer:
“When we think of engineering, we often picture machines code or technical systems. But at its core, engineering is about solving problems thoughtfully and building a better way forward. And by that definition the most inspiring engineer I have known is my mother.
She may not have had the formal title of engineer but has a STEM background. She earned a postgraduate degree in science and worked as a science educator. I watched her engineer her way through life, managing challenges with creative thinking and approaching problems with calm logic. She did not always have all the tools, but she always found a solution. That kind of quiet innovation stayed with me.
She showed me that you do not need a job title to think like an engineer. You need curiosity, resilience and the courage to keep going even when the path is not clear. That mindset shapes how I learn, how I work, and how I solve problems today.
To me, Engineering is a mindset. There are many brilliant women in engineering I admire, but the foundation of how I think and why I care, started at home.”
Swati Yadav, Asset Support Engineer:
“One woman who really inspires me is Edith Clarke, the first professionally employed female electrical engineer in the U.S. She made groundbreaking contributions to power system analysis, which directly connects to my work I’m involved in at ENODA.
Edith Clarke invented a device to simplify complex power grid calculations and helped transform how engineers approached energy systems.
At the time, it was rare for women to even be in the room, let alone lead technical progress.
Her ability to push through so many barriers and still leave a legacy in electrical engineering is something I find really powerful. It makes me proud to be in this field.”
Hannah Brand, Talent Acquisition Partner:
I take inspiration from Mary Jackson, NASA mathematician and aerospace engineer. In 1958 she became NASA’s first black female engineer (6 years before the end of segregation), and was not only a brilliant scientist but also a fierce advocate for women and minorities in STEM. She helped shape science at NASA but also had an incredible impact on the hiring and development of female and minority mathematicians and engineers. Mary reminds me of the importance of creating opportunities for others and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Q: Can you share a story or achievement from a female engineer (historical or current) that you find particularly impactful or motivating?
Asma Aman, Control Algorithm Engineer:
“I find it incredibly motivating to see women today, especially those in deeply technical roles, carving out space and leading with confidence. One story that resonates with me is that of women who balance their careers in engineering with mentorship or outreach - those who not only excel technically but also give back by encouraging the next generation. I think about the many women who may not be famous but are quietly transforming their teams, companies, and communities, to me that’s deeply meaningful. It reminds me that impact isn’t always loud, but it’s always powerful.”
Q: What made you want to pursue a career in Engineering and what has helped you stay on that path?
Asma Aman, Control Algorithm Engineer:
“I’ve always loved maths and physics, they just made sense to me. Engineering felt like the natural path where I could apply that love for problem-solving to real-world challenges.
I genuinely enjoy the problem-solving aspect. Especially when it comes to tackling technical challenges in control systems. It’s like solving a puzzle with real consequences. You’re not just doing theory, you’re implementing ideas that affect systems, performance, and people’s experiences overall. That’s powerful. If someone were considering this career, I’d say: engineering is where creativity meets logic. It’s where you can see the direct impact of your work, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know that what you build actually matters.”
Akshita Chaudhary, Database Engineer:
“What keeps me going is the constant learning. I thrive when I am learning, evolving, and building better solutions than I did yesterday. It is not just about progressing in a career; it is about becoming sharper, more thoughtful and more capable. Engineering is not always easy, but that’s the point. The challenge is what makes it exciting. And for me, as long as I’m growing, I’m exactly where I need to be. “
Q: Have you noticed any changes in gender representation in engineering since you started your career? What positive shifts have you seen? Where is progress still required?
Hannah Brand, Talent Acquisition Partner:
“ It is true that there has been an increase in female engineers in the last few years and an increase in the number of women enrolled in engineering programmes in the UK, however, I still believe that the numbers are too low.
Engineering UK puts the percentage of women working in an engineering role in 2025 at 16.9%, and as the Society of Women Engineers (United Kingdom Tertiary Education - Society of Women Engineers) lays out, as of 2024 only 19.8% of all enrolled engineering undergrads are women. These are some of the lowest numbers in all of Europe.
From a recruitment perspective this is very clear. Whether our team is headhunting engineers or advertising an opportunity, the vast majority of candidates are male- unlike for other non-engineering opportunities where the candidate gender breakdown is closer to 50/50 on average.
Great work has already been undertaken to increase these numbers. From primary and secondary school programmes from organisations like Edinburgh Science to teach girls about the prospect of working in STEM, to commitments from the Scottish government, to increasing the number of women and girls in STEM. But how long before we see the true effect of these programmes, and is it enough?
Being in Talent Acquisition, what this means is recognising the importance of equity when we are hiring and making reasonable adjustments for those who need it.
For example, women are less likely to apply for roles if they don’t meet all the requirements- so we keep job adverts concise and the key requirements vs “nice to haves” separate.
Additionally, women often require more flexibility due to caregiver responsibilities- so we make sure to give all candidates at least a week to complete any technical challenges, and do not penalise candidates if they require more time or need to change their interview time.
Whilst these are small, and very simple ways to encourage equity in the workplace, we recognise that more can always be done. By engaging with our own female engineers and taking advice from women majority engineering communities, we hope to be a positive environment for all engineers and through continual improvement, become an excellent place for women in STEM to develop their careers. “
Asma Aman, Control Algorithm Engineer:
“Unfortunately, I haven’t seen as much change as I would hope. From school through university and now in the workplace, engineering has always seemed to be more male-dominated. I’ve always wondered why more girls aren’t encouraged to go into engineering, it really should come down to personal choice, not outdated perceptions or social biases. That said, the female engineers I’ve had the chance to work with are absolutely brilliant, bringing unique perspectives that add so much value to the work we do. Diversity is not just a checkbox, it’s essential if we want to solve real-world problems in a meaningful way.
Akshita Chaudhary, Database Engineer
“What really stands out to me is how the mindset is changing.
Research shows companies with more women are 21% more profitable (Mckinsey 2024). Women naturally bring collaboration, empathy and creative problem solving skills that make engineering better. The focus should be on truly hearing and valuing their voices, not just counting them.
Progress is still needed to get more women into senior roles and leadership. We also need a culture that supports different ways of working and leading. More mentorship and open conversations will help create real change.
I am fortunate to work in a place that is already progressive, values diversity, encourages open conversations, and is proudly led by women who are both creative and passionate.”
Q: What advice would you give to young women who are thinking about studying or working in engineering?
Swati Yadav, Asset Support Engineer
“Engineering can seem intimidating at first, but it’s a space where your ideas and perspective are incredibly valuable. Think of people like Edith Clarke - she didn’t wait for permission to step into the field; she just kept going. Don’t hold back, be curious, ask questions, and let your voice be heard. You belong in engineering as much as anyone else.”
Akshita Chaudhary, Database Engineer
“If you have the ability to think and imagine, you can most certainly create it. Engineering is all about turning ideas into reality, not because you have all the answers, but because you're curious enough to find them. Be curious, be passionate, and do not be afraid to make mistakes, because they are part of the process.
Whichever domain you choose, try to build something early. Join hackathons, explore small projects, or get involved in real-world applications. These experiences will help connect the dots between theory and practice and give you the confidence to grow.
Every challenge you face sharpens your thinking and brings you closer to better solutions. And most importantly, never stop learning. When you stop learning, you stop evolving. Engineering needs all kinds of minds, and that includes yours.”
Asma Aman, Control Algorithm Engineer:
“If you love problem-solving, if maths and physics excite you, and if you want to build things that make a difference - engineering is for you. Don’t let stereotypes or statistics hold you back. You do belong here. One of the best things you can do is surround yourself with mentors, challenge yourself, and stay curious. Engineering is a field where persistence pays off and where your perspective will be not only welcome but necessary. So go for it, and don’t be afraid to take up space.”
“Impact isn’t always loud, but it’s always powerful.”