June 23, 2025 marks the 12th annual International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
The energy industry is changing rapidly, and meeting the challenges posed by this transition requires a diversity of talent and perspectives – something that we’re committed to addressing in a meaningful and sustainable way at every level of our teams. As AXIS Pledge signatories, Penspen are committed to driving impactful change for our industry through the attraction, retention, and development of a diverse workforce.
This year’s theme for International Women in Engineering Day is #TogetherWeEngineer, so we’re spotlighting women from all across #TeamPenspen’s service lines and regions to show the role that each person plays in engineering the future of energy across the world.
In this first edition, meet Shobhina, Operations & Testing Manager for THEIA, based in the UK; Maria, Analytical Chemist at our corrosion laboratory in Peru; and Rachael, Account Manager for our Asset Management Europe team.
Shobhina Teotia – Operations & Testing Manager, THEIA, UK
What does your role entail? What drew you to your particular field?
As a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer and Operations & Testing Manager for THEIA, Penspen’s Pipeline Integrity Management Platform, I lead cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality, user-focused software applications. My role involves defining effective testing strategies, optimising testing processes, and reducing defects, all while maintaining a strong focus on agile project management throughout the development lifecycle.
I’m also proud to serve as the Information Security Officer, where I led a successful ISO 27001 implementation for THEIA in 2024 – a prestigious milestone that reflects our commitment to the highest standards of data protection.
What drew me to this field was the opportunity to blend technical skill with leadership and strategy. I’ve always been passionate about quality; not just in the code, but in the process and the user experience. Being in tech, especially in QA and security, allows me to make a real impact by improving software performance and ensuring customer trust.
As a woman in tech, I’m committed to showing that leadership in engineering is not defined by gender: it’s defined by passion.
Creativity plays a crucial role in developing practical solutions and designing systems that improve everyday life. There’s a massive range of disciplines within engineering, each requiring different strengths, and there’s truly space for diverse talents and perspectives. Women bring unique insights and approaches that are invaluable to the profession, and it’s important to recognise that success in engineering isn’t defined by fitting a narrow mould.
What would you say to a young person considering a career in STEM?
- Don’t let stereotypes or self-doubt hold you back. Engineering isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about asking the right questions.
- Be willing to learn and believe that your ideas matter. The world needs diverse voices and fresh perspectives to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, and you absolutely have a place in shaping that future.
- Be bold, stay curious, and know that you’re more capable than you think.
What’s a common myth about engineering you’d like to debunk?
That it’s only for people who are exceptionally good at maths or science and that creativity doesn’t have a place in the field. In reality, engineering is just as much about problem-solving, innovation, and collaboration as it is about technical skills. Engineering is about curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration – and these are qualities that have nothing to do with gender.
Maria Romero de la Cruz – Analytical Chemist, Corrosion Laboratory, Peru
What was the moment that confirmed engineering was the right path for you?
Being honest, I originally applied to study chemistry, with the intention of later switching to medicine, which was my childhood dream. But from the first academic year, the course was so intense, so investigative, and so full of practical work that I decided that it was right for me.
I no longer wanted to transfer to medical school. Even knowing that the following years of study in chemistry would be even harder, I wanted to continue with it because it was so fascinating to me.
What does your role entail? What drew you to your particular field?
I work as an Analytical Chemist, monitoring the internal corrosion of hydrocarbon storage tanks and pipelines.
What attracted me the most is that it’s never a static job, both physically and in terms of the subject itself. The subject of corrosion monitoring is constantly seeing new forms, techniques, equipment and tools being developed that change the way we work.
It’s becoming a multidisciplinary line of work that helps us to understand and provide solutions to corrosion challenges.
What gives you hope about the future of women in engineering?
The development of technology is giving us all opportunities, regardless of gender.
Describe engineering in three words
Three words that define engineering for me are work, dedication, and passion.
Rachael Williamson – Account Manager, Asset Management, UK
Who or what first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Engineering was heavily present in my family life. My father was a structural engineer, as was his father before him. My brother also followed the same career path. So, I grew up with an early awareness of engineering, its positive impact to everyday life, and how it supports innovation.
What does your role entail? What drew you to your particular field?
As an Account Manager, it’s my responsibility to maintain client relationships and ensure that we deliver on our commitments to them. It also requires coordination and collaboration with internal stakeholders to ensure the smooth delivery of work.
My first role at Penspen was as part of the planning and scheduling team which helped build my knowledge of the company and how we work, and was a brilliant foundation for naturally progressing into account management.
What gives you hope about the future of women in engineering?
The idea of being recognised for your skills, qualities and abilities regardless of your gender, and with that, being given the same access to grow and progress those.
What’s a common myth about engineering you’d like to debunk?
You don’t need to have a specific engineering qualification in order to be successful in this field. Engineering is made up of many different roles that all play an essential part in the process of meeting our goals and delivering projects that improve energy access.
Thank you to Shobhina, Maria, and Rachael for sharing your stories with us and demonstrating that together we are engineering the future of energy.
- Want to help us engineer the future of energy? Visit our Careers page to view our open vacancies.
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