Recent research suggests that women currently make up 26.1% of manufacturing and just 16% of the engineering and technology sectors. As they make up half of the world population, these numbers are far from where they should be.
Organisations within the industry such has Women in Manufacturing (IfM Cambridge), WISE (Women in Science and engineering) and Stemettes are continuing to highlight women within the industry and are showcasing the incredible work they do and encourage the next generation of women and girls to begin their careers.
Saturday 8 March marked International Women’s Day and to celebrate the occasion, The Manufacturer spoke with Catherine Yokan, Senior Research & Development Engineer at National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, about her career in the sector and why more diversity is needed within STEM.
Can you tell me about your journey and what you do at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland?
CY: In my current role at NMIS, I work as an R&D Engineer and partner with academics, OEMs and supply chains to develop, de-risk and validate next-generation manufacturing technologies. We help translate cutting edge research into real applications that will drive innovation and benefit society.
Prior to joining NMIS, I moved from the US to Europe a decade ago through a fellowship with the US Department of State. Since then, I completed a Master’s degree in Germany and worked at various research institutes.
My work primarily focuses on developing and implementing composite materials and manufacturing processes, which provides a lot of variety in the job. Over the past five years, I’ve been fortunate to work on several exciting projects that are helping advance space exploration in Scotland, as well as sustainable use of composite materials. Currently, I am overseeing the structural design, assembly, and production of a recoverable second-stage demonstrator for a launch vehicle, integrating a range of technologies like automated fibre placement and unique methods in composites manufacturing.
In addition to managing projects, I contribute to STEM outreach activities at local schools and universities, working to increase diverse representation and get young people excited about science.
What sparked your interest in a career in STEM and how did your career take you from studying physics in the US, to working at NASA, and beyond?
My interest started early, mainly from a fascination with the natural world. I’ve always loved animals and being outdoors. Physics has given me a way to understand how the world works – how and why things behave the way they do. But what really excites me is engineering, because it allows me to take that understanding and apply it in a hands-on way to solve real-world problems.
During my Master’s, I was working at a Fraunhofer Institute in Germany when I came across research that aligned with what NASA was doing. I knew NASA’s internships were highly competitive but took the chance to apply anyway, a decision that has shaped my career in ways I couldn’t have predicted. I spent a year at NASA across two different internships, gaining hands-on experience in a high-performance research environment. It meant taking a longer path to graduation, but the experience was invaluable and has benefited my research career ever since.
How was your experience working at NASA and what projects did you work on while there?
NASA is a very interesting place to work and of course, has a lot of history and legacy. There is a Landing and Impact Research Facility, which included a gantry that was used by Apollo astronauts to simulate and practice their lunar landings. Now, it’s a crash test facility for various components. When I was working there, they performed a drop test of a full-scale aircraft, and pretty much the whole centre came out to watch the show.
Beyond the facilities, I had the privilege of working with and learning from brilliant mentors like Dawn Jegley and Ramy Harik. At the time, I may not have fully appreciated the sheer scale of research and technological advancement happening at Langley, but in hindsight, it was an inspiring environment that shaped how I approach engineering challenges today.
A project that stands out involved remanufacture of fan blades for one of NASA’s many wind tunnels. The original blades had been crafted decades ago with composite materials, painstakingly by hand, and it was my job to figure out how to use modern technologies like 3D scanning and automated fibre placement of composite materials to remake them.
Space and manufacturing are still male dominated fields. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
One key fact about being a woman in engineering is that you often walk into a room or meeting as the only woman present, and sometimes it can feel quite isolating. However, I’ve learned that with enough preparation, confidence and a degree of assertiveness, you’re able to still be as effective an engineer as anyone else. If you have made it into the room, there’s no need to doubt yourself.
It is also about finding mentors and allies. Having people around who can support you and advocate for your voice as well.
Can you discuss some career highlights and where do you see yourself in the future?
It is difficult to pick highlights because I’ve had exposure to lots of different projects in many interesting research environments. I have found some of the most rewarding projects are ones with smaller companies, where you are able to see an immediate and tangible impact from the work you’re doing. I have also enjoyed meaningful projects around sustainability across a range of sectors, where the challenge isn’t just about supporting the business but also contributing to a more sustainable future.
Beyond hands-on technical work, a key part of my role has been developing ideas and proposals for new research projects. Over time, these projects have grown in scale, with larger consortia, more funding, and broader collaborations. Right now, my focus is on space, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability, three areas that are rapidly evolving and where I see exciting opportunities for innovation.
Looking ahead, I want to continue deepening my technical expertise and becoming more independent in my research. I also see a lot of value in developing strong networks to create innovative proposals that translate into high-impact projects. Another goal is to engage more with universities, whether through supervising PhD students and interns, mentoring, or bringing real-world engineering challenges into the lecture hall.
You’re passionate about promoting STEM careers. Why should more women and girls consider a future career in space and engineering?
Engineers play a crucial role in solving many of the world’s biggest challenges. For me, a career in engineering has been incredibly rewarding- it has taken me around the world, allowing me to experience different cultures, ways of working, and approaches to problem-solving. It has also given me the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and see ideas evolve from concepts into real-world applications. There’s something exciting about watching an idea in your head turn into something tangible that makes a real impact.
The perception of an engineer is also changing. Some areas such as space and manufacturing – that were male dominated for such a long time – are slowly becoming more diverse and more welcoming to different groups of people. Encouraging more women and girls to pursue careers in engineering isn’t only about representation but bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas to industries that thrive on innovation.
International Women’s Day celebrates women achievements. Why is this important for you, and especially in STEM?
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need International Women’s Day, but now, it’s an important opportunity to highlight career paths in the STEM sector. Young women and girls need to be able to see what’s possible for them and to witness women in successful positions at all levels.
One of the challenges that International Women’s Day can highlight, is not just getting women into STEM roles but keeping them there. Too many women leave due to lack of support from the company or recognition of career progression. Diversity isn’t just about hiring, but about fostering an inclusive workspace where women feel like they can thrive.
How have different perspectives shaped innovation in your work?
Engineering is problem solving and the more perspectives that you bring into the conversation, the more innovative the solutions are. Diversity of thought is crucial to creativity, so having many different people in the room helps to weed out any blind spots that you might have when developing a solution.
I started by completing a physics degree, and due to my path into engineering being less traditional, I have gained a multi-disciplinary perspective, which has been helpful in my career.
What advice would you give to young women who dream of working in space, aerospace or manufacturing, but feel a bit unsure about the gender gap?
If you love science and engineering, don’t let anything stop you. The gender gap might seem intimidating, but it is evolving, and the next generation can also be part of that change.
It’s important to seek out opportunities, even if you feel under qualified. Apply for internships, research roles and scholarships, despite the fact you can’t check all the boxes. A lot of people suffer with imposter syndrome, but it shouldn’t hold you back.
Remember that you’re not alone; if you do decide to go into engineering as women, there’s lots of us, never be afraid to take up space.
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