When I left school, I didn’t set out to become an engineer in the traditional sense. I started by working on schematic diagrams for switchgear installations. It was practical and detailed work, and it provided me with a solid foundation in understanding how complex systems come together.

From there, I moved into IT solutions that supported engineering functions, and something clicked. I chose to specialise in computing, not because it was trendy or expected, but because it made sense. I wanted to find ways to apply real technical solutions to real engineering problems, and I’ve never looked back.

Today, I work as a Project Design Authority within Hitachi Rail’s Signalling and Rail Solutions team. My role involves ensuring technical governance and that our software and IT systems perform as intended for both projects and bids. I’m the primary technical point of contact for our customers and internal teams, ensuring everything remains aligned and compliant. I’ve been in this role for just over three years now, and what I enjoy most is the structure and logic that come with it. Governance isn’t about red tape. It’s about making sure we deliver the right outcomes, every time, without cutting corners or overlooking what matters.

One of the moments I’m most proud of in my career was during my time working in emergency services. I pulled together a bid for a virtualised, multi-tenanted infrastructure, encompassing not just the technical specification but the entire proposal to secure authority buy-in and financial sponsorship. It was a perfect example of where good engineering meets real-world impact.

More recently, I was part of Team APEX in our 2023 UK Hackathon. We demonstrated the benefits of integrating TPWS-CS with Darwin, and we won the challenge. It was a brilliant experience, fast-paced, collaborative, and creative. That’s the side of engineering people often miss; it’s not just about individual expertise. It’s about how we bring our skills together.

As the UK celebrates 200 years of railway history this year, I’ve been reflecting on how far the industry has come, not just in terms of technology, but in the people shaping it. We’re solving increasingly complex problems that require diverse skills, fresh thinking, and a strong foundation of governance. It’s a privilege to play a role in that evolution, building on a legacy while helping shape what comes next.

As a woman in engineering, I’ve seen my fair share of challenges. There are times when you have to work harder to be taken seriously. But I’ve always believed in leading by example. When you deliver consistently, reliably, and with clarity, people listen. And that’s what matters.

My advice to any woman considering a career in engineering? Take what you’re good at and passionate about and find where it fits in this world. There’s space for all kinds of skills in engineering, not just the traditional ones. And most importantly, share your ideas. Because when we collaborate, that’s when ideas turn into solutions.

Engineering has given me a career built on logic, creativity, and continuous improvement. I’d like to see more women join the industry, because we need a broad, balanced view to solve increasingly complex challenges. We don’t need to fit a mould. We just need to bring what we’re best at and make it count.