Comment: Community and confidence empower women in engineering

For women in the industry, it’s also about working in environments that foster growth, build confidence, and value collaboration. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that confidence and connection are just as essential as expertise for long-term success.

As the engineering landscape evolves, driven by innovation and increasingly complex global challenges, what we need is not just sharper technical skills, but stronger, more inclusive teams. From infrastructure to clean mobility, the problems we face require fresh thinking and broad perspectives.

Starting out in engineering

My path into engineering started with a love for maths and physics during my A-levels. It wasn’t a fully formed career plan; I didn’t yet understand what engineering actually looked like. But an inspiring physics teacher helped me connect abstract subjects to real-world problem-solving applications.

At first, I imagined STEM careers as solitary pursuits. But once I entered the world of engineering, I quickly realised how deeply collaborative it really is. From day one, whether designing systems or debugging problems, the work was all about teams. That sense of shared challenge and cooperation has shaped my career from the early days through to my current role leading an engineering team at DSD.

Lessons that shaped my career

Like many women in engineering, I’ve faced moments of uncertainty. One of the most defining moments was my return to work after maternity leave. Even with a strong support system at work, navigating parenthood in a male-dominated field can still feel isolating. I questioned my abilities and whether I could keep up.

What helped me most was support from colleagues and mentors, and rediscovering trust in my own abilities. Over the years, I’ve learned that self-doubt is often the biggest hurdle. Confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you feel “ready”; it comes from recognising that you’ve earned your place and stepping up anyway.

Guidance for future engineers

These experiences have shaped how I support others and the advice I give to women starting out or progressing in engineering:

• Invest in your network early. Strong relationships and mentors can be a game changer, especially in high-pressure environments. I’ve been fortunate to receive invaluable guidance, and now I mentor others in my team to pass that support forward.
• Trust the journey. Careers don’t unfold overnight. Be patient with your development. Growth comes from persistence, learning through mistakes, and keeping a long-term mindset.
• Teamwork is a strength. The most rewarding parts of my career have come from working in teams that value each person’s input. Contributing to a healthy team culture not only improves outcomes but also provides a support system that helps you thrive.
• Back yourself. Doubt is normal, especially in leadership roles, but it’s rarely a reflection of your true ability. Remind yourself that your perspective and experience matter. You bring value to the table.

The power of diverse perspectives

As engineering problems become more multidimensional, so must our approach to solving them. Diverse teams aren’t just a box-ticking exercise, they’re smarter, more adaptive, and more creative. Different perspectives help uncover better solutions, reduce blind spots, and push innovation forward.

This mindset is especially important in sectors like energy and mobility, where we’re designing for a future that’s still taking shape. At DSD, we actively seek out voices that challenge convention, ask bold questions, and bring fresh thinking.

But building truly inclusive teams requires commitment. Companies need to invest in mentorship, flexible working, and role models that reflect a range of experiences. And as individuals, we need to keep creating spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to lead.

Creating an inclusive engineering future

International Women in Engineering Day is a reminder of how far this profession has come and how much more can be done. When we prioritise inclusion, mentoring, and collaboration, we don’t just help women succeed, we strengthen the entire field.

Engineering has allowed me to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully. It’s also given me the chance to work with brilliant people who inspire me every day. If you're just beginning your engineering career, know this: you don’t have to do it alone. Build your network, trust your journey, and support others along the way.

Together, we can create an engineering culture that reflects the full spectrum of talent and drives meaningful, sustainable progress.

Miriam Lorenzo, Chief Engineer at Drive System Design (DSD)