International Women in Engineering Day: Sunseeker Recognises Women in Marine Engineering
Sunseeker International, a leader in luxury yacht design and manufacturing, is proud to announce its celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on Sunday, June 23rd. This significant day is dedicated to recognising and honouring the outstanding contributions of women engineers shaping the marine industry's future.
As a company committed to innovation and excellence, Sunseeker celebrates the diverse roles women play in the marine industry. From design and development to production and project management, women engineers at Sunseeker are setting new standards in yacht manufacturing.
In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, Sunseeker spotlights just a few of its engineers, designers, and project managers, highlighting their stories and achievements across its social media platforms and company website. These profiles will showcase their journeys, accomplishments, and the impact they have made on the company and the broader marine engineering field.
“Sunseeker is incredibly fortunate to have the talented women who contribute to our success every day. International Women in Engineering Day is an important occasion to recognise their achievements and to inspire future generations of female engineers. Their dedication, creativity, and expertise are instrumental in our mission to create world-class yachts.”
- Sian DoddsHR Director at Sunseeker Interantional
Gemma (CENG, CMGR, MRINA) Head of Product Management
“I love a challenge, and luckily, at Sunseeker, I have had the support of my peers and management to work through them. For me, the stereotypes around gender in our industry are being broken down, and it is more to do with someone’s attributes and attitudes to the role that defines them. The opportunities with an engineering role are vast; today, I am involved with all aspects of new product development, from design engineering to project management and boat shows. It exposes me to engineers, production, suppliers and clients/dealers and is something I truly enjoy. I would encourage problem solvers with a strong and proactive approach to consider a role in engineering and seek out the opportunities it provides.”
Ellise, Trainee Marine Engineer
“I have been working as a Trainee Marine Engineer for a little over a year, gaining invaluable experience and confidence, contributing to the efficient operation and maintenance of vessels. Sunseeker is such a big company; there is so much to experience. There are plenty of diverse individuals to meet. Whether they are newly skilled apprentices, knowledgeable tradespeople with years of experience, university graduates or office staff, each person specialises in specific roles within Sunseeker, which makes it great to be here because there are so many people to learn from. I encourage other women to consider this field for its dynamic environment, the opportunity to travel, and the chance to break barriers in the industry, fostering innovation and diversity at sea.”
Jasmine, 3D Visualiser and Interior Designer
“Following graduating from Coventry University with a degree in Automotive and Transport Design, a unique opportunity opened for me to gain experience in interior design with Sunseeker International. Utilising my skills in design, material research, sustainability, and, specifically, 3D rendering has allowed me to take control of the role I now hold as a 3D Visualiser & Interior Designer.
The most enjoyable parts of my role are witnessing the projects I’ve developed through meticulous design come to life, combining my love for interior design with the technical attributes of 3D visualisation, and allowing our clients to see their dreams come alive on screen. I take great pride in bridging design intent with market needs and making a production product feel bespoke to each of our clients. I advise anyone seeking a unique career path to identify market gaps and leverage your unique skills and passions to create new opportunities and stand out in your field.”
Sophie, Compliance Engineer and Naval Architect
“I have a Masters degree and PhD in Maritime Engineering (Ship Science) from Southampton University. I’ve been sailing since I was 14 and love design, so I was delighted to discover I could make a career that embraced my interests. I love how my job is so varied; one day, I can be sitting in the office doing a new boat design; the next, calculations, or I might be out on a sea trial taking measurements!”
Sydney, Marine Electrical Apprentice
“I'm a Marine Electrical Apprentice and have been with Sunseeker for over three years. In September, I am attending a Women in Boat Building panel in the United States, in Port Townsend, where women from all over the world will be joining from the trade, and I am so excited to take part. Being a woman in engineering, I try not to make it the focal point. I've wanted to be an engineer since I was tiny; my dad was a royal engineer. When I was young and visiting Disney Land, instead of looking at the attractions, I was fascinated by trying to figure out how they worked and watching all the gears up on the roof. Over the last three years, I've learned a lot of technical skills, including electrical wiring, electrical testing, and electrical design.
The power to build something from scratch is such an uplifting feeling to fire something up and see it working, or you see a finished boat go by and can say I wired that up. I enjoy the comradery you get from being part of a team and building something brilliant. It's gratifying when you get something working and everything falls into place. If you want to get into the trade, don't hold back; go for it and push for it.”
Barbara, Materials Planner
“Since I was very young, I have known I wanted to work in engineering. The journey I have experienced so far within this industry has been extremely valuable and beneficial. Although it is a male-dominated sector, I have always felt welcomed and supported with the tools and knowledge I need to succeed and encouraged to keep progressing. Creating an environment in engineering where diversity and inclusion become synonyms will benefit the industry by allowing it to experience greater productivity and creativity, which undoubtedly will lead to new designs, new products, and different solutions to keep satisfying the customer needs.”
Sarah, Skills Academy Graduate – Systems and Plumbing
I am very early into an Engineering career in Systems and plumbing. At 36, I wish I had started this pathway earlier in my working life. However, it shows that it's always possible to learn something and that previous work experiences can be helpful in many ways. I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and science-based subjects, but I never considered a career in engineering when I was young, as I had never known of female engineers.
Working in an environment where women are the minority certainly makes me want to challenge myself on a personal level. It feels good to have that drive, enjoy what I do and be seen as a productive team member. I value the range of experience and fountain of knowledge shared within the team and appreciate the opportunity to provide a different perspective. It's a great team environment with brilliant mentors and team leaders who want to get the best out of you.
When I think of who inspires me, I’m lucky to have had many positive influences around me. I’m proud of my Grandad‘s achievements; Inventing ‘the helping handle’ for the disability charity Remap is just one of many. I’m thankful for my dad for pushing me to achieve my goals (even when they’ve felt impossible!), which has set me up to overcome challenges.
My mum, however, is my biggest inspiration. She has always excelled in work, particularly sports, showing me there are no boundaries to what women can do. I recommend any women out there considering a career in Engineering to get stuck in!”
Abbie, Interior Design and Development Designer
“I started by studying Product Design A level and Level 3 BTEC engineering in 6th form, which gave me the knowledge and hands-on skills. Then, my journey at Sunseeker began as a Marine carpentry apprentice on the production line, gaining qualifications in Marine engineering, carpentry, and boat building, which gave me the necessary knowledge to transition into the interior designer & development designer role. I feel empowered by my male and female colleagues to make an impact in the marine industry. I love that I always do different projects, and no two problems are the same. I not only get to see my designs come to life, but I feel a real sense of satisfaction with each project I commit to. Working in engineering isn’t always what it seems. There is a wide range of opportunities for working in engineering, from aerospace to luxury marine. You can be creative and challenge yourself every day through the work that you do.”