In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day 2026

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  • Reading time 38 minutes

Women Shaping the Future of Engineering: Insights from Pyrotek Engineers

International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the achievements, innovation and impact of women across the engineering profession. At Pyrotek, we're proud to recognise the talented women contributing to the future of engineering through research, development, problem-solving and innovation.

To mark this year's celebration, we spoke with several of our engineers about what inspired them to pursue a career in engineering, their experiences as women in the profession, and their advice for the next generation. Their stories highlight the importance of curiosity, encouragement and diverse perspectives in shaping the future of engineering.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering? - Rebecca Volk

From an early age my mother always ensured that her daughters were confident, capable and talented in the fields of math and science. In my senior year of high school, I was encouraged by my exceptional physics teacher to explore STEM based university courses. The support from both my family, particularly my mother who is an electrical engineer and my teacher, led me to the path of studying and completing a chemical engineering degree. My favourite aspects of my degree was the hands research experience and led me to continue to work in that field.  

How can we encourage the future generation of females to become engineers?

I believe it starts from an early age. Encouraging young girls at home to play with building blocks can spark ideas and curiosity. Let them explore engineering through building and problem solving in what they engage with. It is important to be exposed to this thinking in preschool, and in early learning environments and let them know that engineering is an option. Too often, engineering is only introduced to young children through family who work in the field. By showing them clear pathways into the industry and getting schools on board we can better encourage more females in the industry.  

What inspire me to work in the field of R&D -  Emma L. Cedillo Saucedo 

I was exposed to R&D early on with my engineering degree. I was fascinated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact on society through innovation and technological advancements. I became very passionate for discovery and exploration, and the challenge of solving complex problems. It is incredible to see the possibilities that came from pushing the boundaries of science.  

What are your thoughts on the future of engineering? 
 
Engineering is shifting from isolated problem-solving to complex, multi-site innovation. The companies and teams that prioritize diverse talent will see a direct impact on their baseline - because varied perspectives inherently lead to better risk management and higher efficiency. 

How can we encourage the future generation of females to become engineers?

Bridging the gap between creativity and technical skills should start early. Let’s encourage young girls by framing engineering as the ultimate toolkit to change the world, and by creating supportive networks where their curiosity is celebrated, not side-lined. We should be making the invisible visible, by showing that engineering isn't just abstract math, but hands-on creation, problem-solving, and leadership. When they can see women leading teams and running global operations, they’ll know they can do it too.