International Women in Engineering Day: Spotlighting Project Engineer Conchi Lopez

Meet Conchi and hear about her career below:

Tell me about your career – have you always wanted to be an engineer?

I come from a family of scientists – my mother is a mathematics lecturer, and I have two older brothers who both studied chemistry, so choosing a STEM degree and career came naturally to me. I achieved my bachelor’s degree in engineering in Spain before moving to the UK to study for a masters. I had some fantastic experiences there, working with the Engineering Research Institute to support the NHS. After completing a second master’s degree, I worked for a pharmaceutical lab to create products that assist with surgery and then a biorefinery, studying the bacteria used to ferment whiskey waste with hopes of creating biofuels. That brings me to my current role at GEP Environmental – I work with clients of all types in an energy consultancy role, assessing and recommending improvements in building fabric, replacing boilers with more sustainable alternatives and installing additional renewable technologies.

What is the project you’re proudest of in your career?

The proudest moment of my career was actually this year – a project I worked on with our Principal Engineer. It was a complex project with plenty of different aspects – facilities management and IT consultancy, as well as the standard engineering works. Though the project was complex, it was very successful – but that wasn’t the reason I was so proud of it. That came when, a few months later, the Principal Engineer came back to me and said that the work I’d done on that project was so helpful that it had helped our team secure additional projects. It was great to feel like my work had had an impact, both on the client and on my own organisation.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a female engineer?

It’s always challenging to be a woman and work in an industry that’s dominated by men. However, I’ve always had very good experiences with all the men that I’ve worked with, and especially at GEP. Most men are very conscientious about the fact that I’m the only female, and they adjust their behaviour accordingly – everyone is always kind and nice, and I fully feel like a part of the team.

However, what is interesting is company policies. Many of the organisations I’ve worked for who have employed men primarily may not have policies that are inclusive of women in terms of childcare and maternity leave, so that’s certainly something for organisations around the world to consider.

What advice would you give to other female engineers just starting out in their career?

I think I would tell them not to feel pressured. It’s a field that’s dominated by men, but there is space for you, too. It’s a fantastic career, and so many people want you to be there and they’ll do everything that they can to help you out – you just have to ask. Don’t be afraid to fight for your dreams. The
beauty of working as an engineer is that you make a direct impact on society.

What does International Women in Engineering Day mean to you?

International Women in Engineering Day fills me with pride. For so many years, having a career like this simply wasn’t accessible for women. Being able to say that you’ve studied and had an impact and created change and succeeded – that’s what International Women in Engineering Day means to me.

Thank you so much for speaking with us, Conchi – we are so proud to celebrate all you’ve achieved. Happy International Women in Engineering Day!