International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), organised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), celebrates the achievements of women engineers around the world and helps encourage more young people to consider careers in engineering. This year’s theme, #EngineeringIntelligence, highlights the expertise, innovation and problem-solving skills that engineers bring to some of society’s most important challenges.
For Enspec, the day provides an opportunity to recognise the engineers helping clients navigate an increasingly complex energy landscape and supporting the transition to a more sustainable electricity network.
Commenting on the day, Enspec Power CEO Mara Rastall said:
“International Women in Engineering Day is an opportunity to celebrate the women already making a significant contribution to our industry.
When we talk about representation in engineering, it’s easy to focus on the workplace itself. In reality, many of the challenges begin much earlier. We need more young people to see engineering as an exciting and rewarding career path, and we need to ensure they have access to the opportunities, education and support that will help them get there.
Engineering businesses across the UK are full of talented women in a wide range of commercial roles. Those contributions are hugely important, but we should continue asking how we can encourage more women into technical engineering positions and leadership roles. That’s not a challenge any one company has solved; it’s something the whole industry continues to work towards.
What gives me confidence is the calibre of engineers entering and progressing within the profession today. At Enspec, we’re fortunate to work alongside talented women who are solving complex technical challenges, supporting critical infrastructure and helping shape the future of our energy system. Their stories deserve to be shared not because they are women, but because they are excellent engineers.”
Dhruti Shah – Engineering the Energy Transition
With seven years of experience in electrical power systems, Principal Power Systems Engineer Dhruti Shah has built a career around solving complex technical challenges and helping organisations operate more reliable, resilient and sustainable power networks.
Her interest in engineering began with a fascination for how things work and a desire to pursue a career that could have a tangible impact on people’s lives. That curiosity developed into a passion for power systems during her studies, where she recognised the critical role the sector would play in supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Today, that sense of purpose continues to motivate her.
“Power systems today are at the heart of the energy transition. We are solving technically complex problems that have real societal impact – from integrating renewables to maintaining grid stability. It’s challenging, meaningful and constantly evolving.”
Since joining Enspec, Dhruti has continued to develop both technically and professionally, strengthening her expertise in advanced power system analysis while building confidence in client-facing and technical communication.
Looking ahead, she is particularly excited by the challenges that increasing renewable energy penetration presents for power systems engineers and the opportunities for innovation that come with it.
Sushumna Raja – Finding Purpose in the Energy Transition
For Sushumna, a career in power systems engineering grew from an interest in solving complex problems and a desire to contribute to a more sustainable future.
While electrical and electronics engineering was not initially the path she expected to follow, her perspective changed as she began working on real-world power system challenges and saw the impact engineering solutions can have on the reliability and efficiency of power networks.
Today, she is motivated by the role power systems engineers play in supporting the transition towards cleaner sources of energy.
“With the global shift toward renewable and sustainable energy, power systems are becoming more dynamic and complex than ever before. I find great satisfaction in working on problems that are not only technically stimulating but also meaningful, as they contribute to building a more sustainable energy future.”
Reflecting on her development since joining Enspec, Sushumna highlights the confidence she has gained in her own abilities and the opportunity to take ownership of increasingly challenging technical work.
“I learned to function on my own and also believe in my technical skills.”
Sushumna enjoys the pace of change across the energy sector and the opportunities it creates for engineers to learn, innovate and help shape the future of the electricity network.
Ayesha Ifran – From Student to Power Systems Engineer
Ayesha’s route into power systems engineering has taken her from Canada to the UK and from university study to real-world engineering projects.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Calgary, she later pursued a Master’s degree in Energy and Power Systems at the University of Liverpool. As part of her studies, she joined Enspec for an industrial placement year before continuing her career with the company as a Power Systems Engineer.
She was initially drawn to engineering through a curiosity about how things work, before discovering a particular interest in electrical engineering and renewable energy.
“I find it rewarding to be part of an area of engineering that not only presents complex technical challenges but also plays a critical role in addressing global energy and environmental issues.”
Ayesha believes that practical experience played a key role in confirming she had chosen the right career path, allowing her to see first-hand how engineering theory translates into solutions that support the operation and reliability of power networks.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, she is interested in the rapid growth of renewable energy technologies and the new engineering challenges they will bring.
Looking Ahead
Although their journeys into engineering have been different, Dhruti, Sushumna and Ayesha share a common passion for problem solving, continuous learning and contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
As the electricity network continues to evolve, power systems engineers will play a vital role in delivering the reliable, resilient and low-carbon infrastructure needed to support the energy transition. International Women in Engineering Day provides an opportunity to celebrate those already making an impact while helping inspire the next generation of engineers to follow in their footsteps.
