What inspired you to get into engineering? 

One evening, while binge-watching YouTube, I accidentally came across a video of astronaut Karen Nyberg working aboard the International Space Station. I was fascinated by the thought that at that very moment, humans were orbiting our planet - calling space their 'office' for months at a time. How cool!

This sparked my curiosity about space careers and how I could follow a similar path, which lead me to discovering aerospace engineering. I pursued an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, followed by a master's. Now, as a Systems Engineer, I've recently started a new role in the defense aerospace sector, working on tiltrotor aircraft systems within the systems engineering team.

What does your day-to-day look like?  

As a systems engineer, my day-to-day work varies depending on where the project is within the lifecycle.

Most tasks are office-based, focusing on defining and tracking requirements to ensure they are met throughout the design and analysis process. Collaboration is key, with frequent meetings involving design, software, and other engineering teams to keep the project aligned with its goals.

A significant part of my role also involves test planning and analysis for design verification and validation. The testing phase can be particularly exciting, offering hands-on work, data analysis, and even opportunities to travel to different test sites. 

Favourite part of engineering? 

My favourite part of working as a systems engineer is being able to see a project evolve from the start when it’s only just a concept and follow it throughout its lifecycle, to the delivery phase.

You are usually involved with different projects simultaneously, which makes the day-to-day more interesting. I love being able to apply problem-solving skills to any innovation or project that benefits society. 

When I was first assigned to research the impacts of extreme space weather events - when the Sun releases massive bursts of energy and particles that reach Earth, creating the northern lights but also affecting systems like satellites and the power grid - I knew little about the topic and hadn’t considered it as a potential area of work. However, this is often the nature of engineering, which makes it all the more fascinating.

How has your role impacted lives? 

What projects have you worked on? 

In a previous role at Reaction Engines, I worked on the hydrogen aviation project. Here, I conducted aerothermal analysis of the aircraft’s heat exchanger to help determine its final design. Hydrogen-powered aviation is a key step toward reducing the industry’s environmental impact. 

Top tips for getting into engineering?

Work hard at maths and physics, but also find ways to bring engineering to life outside the classroom. Join engineering societies, take on personal projects, or get involved in hands-on competitions. Anything that showcases your passion and problem-solving skills will make you stand out from other candidates. 

Remember: the skills you gain as an engineer, both in university and the workplace are so versatile, and can open doors to countless industries and career paths. Studying aerospace doesn’t mean you're limited to that field; it equips you with problem-solving abilities and technical expertise that can take you anywhere.