National Engineers Week: 10 women shaping engineering today

Whether through groundbreaking research, leadership, or advocacy, these 10 women continue to shape the world around us.

Gwynne Shotwell (aerospace engineering)

As President and COO of SpaceX, Shotwell has been instrumental in the development of Falcon rockets and the ambitious Starship programme. Her leadership has propelled SpaceX to achieve reusable rocket technology and secure NASA contracts, making space travel more accessible and sustainable.

Fei-Fei Li (AI and computer science)

A trailblazer in artificial intelligence, Fei-Fei Li co-founded the ImageNet project, which revolutionised deep learning by providing vast datasets for AI training. A professor at Stanford University, she is also a leading advocate for ethical AI, ensuring responsible applications in fields like healthcare and automation.

Ursula Burns (mechanical engineering and business leadership)

The first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Burns transformed Xerox from a traditional photocopying business into a technology-driven solutions provider. She continues to champion diversity in STEM through advisory roles and leadership initiatives.

Mary Barra (automotive and electrical engineering)

As CEO of General Motors, Barra is driving the company toward an all-electric future. She has overseen the launch of innovative EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt and spearheaded investments in battery technology, shaping the next generation of sustainable transport.

Kate Crawford (AI and ethics)

An authority on AI ethics, Crawford has been at the forefront of research into bias and fairness in machine learning. Through her book 'Atlas of AI Power, Politics and The Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence’', she examines the social and environmental impact of AI, influencing policies and industry practices. Crawford leads also leads the ‘Knowing Machines Project’, a collaborative research investigation on how AI systems are trained.

Debbie Sterling (mechanical engineering and STEM advocacy)

Founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, Sterling is on a mission to inspire young girls to explore engineering. By creating educational toys and media content that challenge stereotypes, she is helping to close the gender gap in STEM fields.

Dame Dawn Childs (civil and mechanical engineering)

A leader in engineering and former President of the Women's Engineering Society, Childs has held senior roles across aviation, transport, and energy. She has broken barriers as the first woman in several RAF and industry engineering positions, all while championing gender diversity in the sector.

Limor Fried (electrical engineering and open-source hardware)

As the founder of Adafruit Industries, Fried has made electronics and programming more accessible through open-source hardware. Her contributions to the maker community have earned her awards for technological innovation and advocacy in the field.

Danielle George, CBE (radio frequency engineering and outreach)

A professor at the University of Manchester, George specialises in radio frequency engineering and has contributed to space and wireless communication projects. Through her science outreach, including the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, she inspires the next generation of engineers.

Ellen Stofan (planetary science and aerospace engineering)

A former Chief Scientist at NASA, Stofan has played a key role in planetary exploration and climate research. Now Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, she continues to advocate for women in STEM and the future of space exploration.

These women have made a lasting impact across industries, from AI to aerospace. Their work continues to inspire engineers, researchers, and innovators around the world, proving that engineering thrives on diverse perspectives and new ideas.