Celebrating the industry’s incredible women in engineering
At Marine People, we’re proud to work alongside some of the most driven and talented women in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors. From mechanical designers to senior project leaders, these women are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of engineering.
We’ve had the pleasure of supporting them in different ways, whether by helping fill key roles in their teams or by securing their next step in the industry. Their careers reflect hard work, resilience, and a clear passion for making a difference.
To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2025, we put a few questions to some of these incredible women about their journeys, challenges, and what being a woman in engineering means to them. Their answers are honest, insightful, and a reminder of why diverse voices are so important in this sector. Each one highlights the value of diverse thinking, strong leadership, and the importance of visibility across all levels of engineering.
Meet Jo,
I’m Jo Raven, a multidisciplinary project professional with over 16 years’ experience spanning the maritime, energy, and engineering sectors. My career began from a passion for joining the maritime industry, and I was fortunate to secure a contract with a superyacht consultancy. That initial opportunity, rooted in design, naturally progressed into project management, then into superyacht builds, and later evolved into managing complex hotel refurbishment projects for cruise lines, before pivoting into sustainable energy. I’ve always been driven by design-led delivery and the challenge of making complex projects run efficiently.
Following a spinal cord injury in 2022, I was forced to adjust my working style and role, bringing my experience into strategic project development with Veolia. I now focus on developing effective, collaborative foundations that support successful project outcomes. While the nature of my work has changed, my commitment to engineering excellence, operational improvement, and collaborative delivery remains the same.
Q: What attracted you to your specific industry sector?
“I’ve always been captivated by environments where precision engineering meets creative design, whether it’s ship interiors or energy infrastructure. There’s something compelling about turning abstract plans into physical reality, and I love the problem-solving required to bring big ideas to life.
The maritime industry drew me in because I wanted to be part of something technically brilliant, an opportunity to turn dreams into reality. I proved my value through determination and attention to detail, which opened doors to larger-scale projects and, ultimately, project management.”
Q: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role?
“Beyond the technical challenges, the most difficult was rebuilding my career after a spinal injury. Navigating disability while maintaining professional credibility tested me in new ways, but it also taught me adaptability and reinforced the value of inclusive, flexible work cultures.
Working in male-dominated environments also brought challenges, but I was fortunate to work with teams who valued my project management capabilities and ensured I felt safe and respected.
Managing large-scale projects globally has taught me the importance of cultural awareness. Understanding your team, what motivates them, and what they need to do their best work is paramount. Remaining open-minded and flexible in your approach is essential for delivering effective, sustainable results across borders and disciplines.”
Q: How important is the visibility of women in leadership positions to you?
“Hugely important. I believe that for a long time, I was the only female project manager within the UK maritime sector. The opportunities I received were based on my capabilities and passion for detail. Visibility allows the next generation to see what’s possible. It’s not just about representation, it’s about showing diverse leadership styles and proving that you don’t need to ‘fit the mould’ to be effective.”
Q: Are there any female role models who have influenced your career?
“Interestingly, some of the most important lessons came from observing leadership styles I didn’t wish to emulate. These experiences taught me to listen at all levels, remain open to feedback, and consider broader perspectives beyond just cost. I’ve learned to prioritise effective, efficient solutions over simply chasing the lowest price.
I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside several brilliant women in engineering and construction who led with strength and humility. Their ability to balance technical excellence with emotional intelligence has had a lasting impact on how I lead today.”
Q: What advice would you give to companies wanting to improve support for women in the industry?
“Support should encompass all women, recognising that not everyone follows the same life path. As a single woman without children, I’ve often found that workplace support tends to focus on maternity and childcare. That perspective needs to broaden.
Companies should value a wide range of experiences and provide genuine flexibility. Many women balance complex responsibilities and may step away from linear career paths, so championing career returns, accessible environments, and mentoring programmes is crucial.”
Q: What would you tell your younger self starting out?
“Trust your instincts. You don’t need to shout the loudest to make an impact. Be curious, stay kind, and understand that your career might not follow a straight line, and that’s completely okay.”
Meet Chloe,
Hi! I’m Chloe, a professional working in the field of Shipbuilding. I started my career as an Apprentice Designer in the Engineering function at BAE Systems Submarines, honing my skills in mechanical design using CAD software and FE Analysis and quickly realised I loved the challenge that it brought me. I worked my way up the ranks on the same team, spanning across 11 years, up to Assistant Project Leader (APL), where I got my taste for management. After 4-years in the APL role, I decided to side-step into Project Management which opened a whole new realm of learning and gave me further knowledge of how the work I’d been doing the last 11-years was used, by not only the Production teams, but by every department that comes together to reach the common goal.
In 2021, I took a leap of faith and decided to pack up my bags and move to the vibrant city of Glasgow, where I’ve had the fantastic opportunity to work in three very different companies, which has not only strengthened the knowledge and skills I already had but also given me more. My current role as Project Manager at HB Hydraulics allows me to utilise each skill, collaborate with several clients and get involved with different projects happening simultaneously – highly challenging, but highly rewarding.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“I always say that the reason I am on this career path is because my mum suggested I try an Apprenticeship after failing to like sixth-form college. But in hindsight, my favourite subject at school was Graphic Design, where we had to learn and execute technical drawings using a pencil and drawing board, so it’s likely I’d have ended up on this path regardless, and I can’t imagine doing anything else now.”
Q: What career achievement are you most proud of?
“My proudest career achievement is being given the responsibility of taking over as Lead Designer for the Logistic Escape Towers on the Dreadnought program as a Senior Designer. The previous Subject Matter Expert was retiring, and the knowledge needed to be passed on. I was proud, despite being slightly overwhelmed, for the opportunity given by my Project Leader at the time. I can’t thank him enough, as I truly believe this is where my confidence grew and ultimately led me to where I am today.”
Q: What does being a woman in engineering mean to you?
“Being a woman in engineering means resilience, responsibility, and possibility. It’s about stepping into a space where we’ve historically been underrepresented and taking up space with no hesitation. It means using my knowledge and skills to challenge assumptions, solve problems, and contribute to projects purposefully. It’s also about balancing strength and empathy, technical precision and creative thinking.”
Q: Have you noticed changes in attitudes towards women in the industry during your career?
“Across my years in a traditionally male-dominated field, I have seen improvements in attitudes towards women entering the industry. I witness it, not only towards me, but even down to the number of women applying for apprenticeships each year and the acceptance and respect they are shown. When I first started in 2008, I was 1 of 3 women in an office that could occupy circa. 300 people, by the time I left that same office, I was 1 of 30. Although I believe there have been improvements, there’s still a long way to go.”
Q: What message would you like to share with future women engineers?
“To sign off, my message to future women engineers: you belong in this field. Your curiosity, creativity and determination are not only valuable – they’re essential. Diverse voices, new perspectives and bold thinkers are what Engineering needs. It won’t always be easy, but we learn more about ourselves from challenges.”
Meet Cath,
My name is Cath, and I’m a Senior Manager and Contracts and Supply Chain professional with over 20 years of cross-sector experience, beginning in the UK Rail Industry and spanning international roles in the U.S. and Canada.
Throughout my career, I’ve led high-value projects ($800m+), built and mentored diverse teams, and delivered complex supply chain solutions in dynamic and highly regulated environments—including defence, shipbuilding, and government procurement.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“My career began in heavy engineering with British Rail, right at the time when the UK government was going through privatization. As someone who’s always loved working with people and engaging across complex, matrixed teams, I quickly found that a role in Procurement and Supply Chain was the perfect fit for me.
I was fortunate to have some outstanding female mentors early in my career—women who thrived in what was then a very male-dominated industry. They inspired me to be my best, to take accountability, and to lead with integrity. Their influence helped shape the leader I am today.”
Q: What skills have been most valuable in your career so far?
“By far, it’s the networking and building strong relationships—with peers, stakeholders, and external partners—that I find most rewarding. Strong communication and trust are essential to successfully leading complex and exciting programs. It’s these connections that often make the biggest difference in achieving real results.”
Q: What barriers, if any, have you faced as a woman in the industry, and how did you overcome them?
“One of my most rewarding career experiences was working on the Polar Icebreaker project for Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver. The location itself is truly inspiring—Vancouver is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and ocean, and the shipyard is an iconic part of British Columbia’s industrial landscape.
What made it so memorable, though, was the team. I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented, focused, and inspiring engineers, supply chain professionals, and project leaders I’ve ever met. There was a deep, shared passion for delivering this critical project for Canada, and a strong sense of personal ownership from every team member. It was a powerful example of collaboration, commitment, and pride in purpose.”
Q: Have you noticed changes in attitudes towards women in the industry during your career?
“As a woman in the industry, resilience, patience, and self-belief have been essential. Imposter syndrome is very real—not just for women, but for men as well. Overcoming it takes time and intention. For me, building trust with those around me and having the courage to speak up, especially when it’s difficult, has been central to my growth and success. Doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easy thing, has shaped my leadership and helped me earn the respect and support of others.”
Q: What changes would you like to see to help more women succeed in the industry?
“The culture is definitely evolving, with more and more women stepping into leadership roles—whether as lead contract specialists, chief engineers, program leads, or VPs. It’s exciting to witness, and it’s a trend that must continue.
I’ve had the privilege of co-founding women’s networks in the last three organizations I’ve worked with. These networks are incredibly powerful—not only in supporting individuals, but also in driving broader business success. We need to keep building environments where women are empowered, connected, and heard.”
Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the industry?
“I have two daughters—one is already a skilled mechanical engineer specializing in nuclear engineering. I encourage them, and all young women, to be themselves, build their knowledge.”
