Women in engineering

Elizabeth Hall

Sales Engineer, Atlas Copco Rental

What attracted you to a career in engineering?

In my previous roles, I enjoyed problem-solving. Working for Atlas Copco Rental allows me to find solutions for each of my customers' problems.

Tell us a little bit about the job you do today?

As a sales engineer, my core responsibility is the sales and growth of our rental offering. A key element of this is to generate new business and to raise awareness of our product portfolio to existing customers. A crucial part of my role as a sales engineer is effective account management. My main objective is to maintain an excellent relationship with customers, understand their key objectives, and provide them with the right rental solutions.

What do you like about your job?

One of the most important and enjoyable parts of my role is assisting clients in breakdown situations. As our core products are critical resources for our clients, it is imperative downtime is reduced or avoided. Providing our customers with the right solution and services makes me proud to be part of the rental team.

What challenges do you face being a woman in engineering?

I believe when I first started back in 2016, I was the first female sales engineer to join Atlas Copco’s Rental division in Europe, initially this was quite a daunting experience coming into a male-dominated environment. But I believe regardless of gender, hard work and commitment will always create opportunities - the Atlas Copco World is your oyster if you want it.

What advice would you give to any young woman that is interested in a career in engineering?

I would strongly recommend a career in engineering, especially working in rental sales you are the face of Atlas Copco Rental. Don’t be put off by the perceived culture of a male-dominated environment from my experience I don’t find this is the case working with many female clients in engineering roles.

Rajani Kolani

Technical Manager, Software, Atlas Copco Vacuum Technique

What made you pursue an engineering career?

I loved math and physics in school and later advice from teachers and family about career prospects in engineering made my decision easy.

Can you tell us a bit about your role at Atlas Copco?

I am a software technical manager in the software, electronics, and motors and drives team in the Vacuum Technique Technology Group. I have a small team of software engineers and year in industry students who are working on research and development of innovative solutions to enhance Atlas Copco's products.

What do you enjoy about your job?

We are part of a new technology validation team, where we look at the latest technologies and integrate them into our products and conduct proof of concept demonstrations to inspire product managers to incorporate these technologies into new-generation products. This gives me opportunities to work with the latest and most challenging technologies. There is something new to address every day and I need to constantly learn and update my skills. I get opportunities to develop innovative applications that solve complex problems or demonstrate significant improvements over current solutions.

Do you face any challenges as a woman in engineering?

The main challenge is that you are the minority in a male-dominated world! We may find conflict in our working style. As I am in the fast-paced technical field, I have a fear of being obsolete if I take a break for starting a family. But with great supportive colleagues and a positive work environment, you can overcome all these challenges. I think if you are hardworking and have a ‘can-do’ attitude, you can do anything in this career.

Being a female in engineering, what opportunities are available to you ?

After joining Atlas Copco, I had great opportunities to be visible and have been recognised for my technical work. This is a company that encourages and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness. In my opinion, I have a great work-life balance being a software engineer as I have more flexibility to work from home too.

Do you have any advice to give to young females who are interested in an engineering career?

The only skill you need to start an engineering career is a passion for solving problems. If you like to apply logic and reasoning and are ready to work hard to gain knowledge and experience, nothing should stop you from achieving your goals. There will be obstacles along the way, you may face stereotypes, but believe that you can make a difference in this community. Take help from a good mentor and share your knowledge with others.