Engineering Intelligence in Action: Women Shaping the Future of Engineering at BMT

On International Women in Engineering Day 2026, we're celebrating the women across BMT who are helping customers solve complex challenges and create a safer, more efficient and sustainable future.

This year's theme, #EngineeringIntelligence, recognises that engineering is about far more than technical expertise. It is about curiosity, creativity, collaboration, leadership and the ability to turn complex problems into practical solutions.

The women featured here work across disciplines, sectors and geographies, from defence and maritime to infrastructure, environmental services and artificial intelligence. Their experiences are different, but a common thread runs through their stories: there is no single path into engineering, and diverse perspectives make our profession stronger.

There is no single route into engineering

Many of the women we spoke to described careers that have evolved through unexpected opportunities, new experiences and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones.

For Mechanical Engineer Charmaine Lapin, curiosity and openness have been key.

Be open to new experiences and say yes to opportunities, even if they're outside your initial expectations. Those experiences can broaden your perspective, build valuable connections and lead to interesting career paths.

Similarly, Hannah Edwards, Principal Systems Engineer, followed a journey from civil engineering into defence and systems engineering, demonstrating how varied engineering careers can become over time.

For Katherine Ferris, AI Enablement Lead, the path was far from traditional.

I didn't follow a traditional engineering path. My career has been shaped by curiosity, opportunity and a willingness to keep learning and evolving.

Solving problems through collaboration

While technical expertise remains fundamental, many highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration when delivering successful outcomes.

Teegan Burke, Principal Engineer, believes clear communication is essential to engineering success.

Clear communication is an integral skill, helping simplify complex outcomes and connect people with solutions.

For Tania Berry, Electrical Capability Lead, engineering intelligence means bringing together technical knowledge, experience and people.

The best outcomes come from collaboration, diverse thinking and continuous development."

This sentiment was echoed across the interviews, with many highlighting that engineering today requires not only technical rigour, but also the ability to work across disciplines, understand different perspectives and adapt to changing challenges.

The importance of representation

The value of visibility, mentorship and role models was another common theme.

Katherine Amber, Senior Systems Engineer, reflected on the importance of ensuring everyone feels that they belong in the profession.

Everybody belongs in engineering. There is no single profile of who can succeed.

Meanwhile, Zoe Slumkoski, Team Lead and Interim Technologist, emphasised the benefits diverse perspectives bring to teams and organisations.

Different viewpoints help us spot gaps, challenge thinking and improve outcomes.

By sharing experiences and highlighting diverse career journeys, we can help challenge perceptions of engineering and inspire future generations to see themselves in the profession.

Looking ahead

Whether developing critical infrastructure, supporting defence programmes, advancing maritime capability, driving innovation in software and AI, or addressing environmental challenges, the women across BMT are helping shape the future of engineering every day.

Their stories demonstrate that engineering intelligence comes in many forms. It can be found in technical expertise, creative thinking, leadership, collaboration, curiosity and the determination to keep learning.

As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2026, we would like to thank all the women across BMT whose expertise, innovation and dedication continue to make a difference for our customers, colleagues and communities.