Engineering is a field that men have traditionally dominated. However, in recent years, there has been significant progress in closing the gender gap. More than one million women are now working in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and organisations like the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and WISE are working diligently to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering.
According to the latest government workforce data, females comprise 26.6% of the core STEM workforce, up from 24% in 2020. This positive trend can be attributed to organisations encouraging more women to enter the engineering sector.
Female leaders in engineering are a considerable sign of diversity progress. Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global, is one such individual who is defying the norms. Today, she commands an engineering team of 80 members, a testament to her exceptional leadership and expertise.
With two decades of experience in technology recruitment, I can personally attest to the scarcity of female technology leaders. Learning about Kirti’s career journey and gaining insights from her success is inspiring. Her story is a testament to perseverance, talent, and determination in overcoming obstacles.
Kirti began her engineering career in India two decades ago, where she entered an engineering field with some female representation. However, when she relocated to the UK in 2010, she became the sole woman on the Mblox engineering team, where she joined as a developer. Kirti advanced within the team, eventually reaching the position of senior developer. Her journey took a new turn when she decided to take maternity leave after having her son, temporarily stepping away from her role to focus on her family. Upon returning to work, Kirti joined MetaPack and demonstrated her exceptional skills again, eventually climbing the ranks to her Technology Leadership position.
To begin our conversation, I asked Kirti:
Working in a competitive environment can certainly bring out the best in individuals, driving them to achieve their goals and strive for success. Building relationships with colleagues is a natural outcome of collaborating within a team, so creating a supportive network that enhances productivity and morale is key. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is essential for fostering innovation and inclusivity and being a solo female developer highlighted the importance of this to me. As a mentor in a female STEM programme, I have witnessed the efforts being made to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM fields. It’s crucial to start at the grassroots level, providing support and guidance to young females interested in technology and science. By offering insights, experiences and success stories, we can help them understand what it means to work in the tech industry. Programs like Women in Tech and initiatives within our office provide vital support for women, creating a community where they can thrive and succeed. Together, we are working towards a more inclusive and diverse future in the world of technology.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
The shortage of female technology leaders can be attributed to a combination of factors, including bias in interviews, choices at the university level, and the working environment and career options available to women.
Addressing these issues through increased diversity initiatives, supportive policies, and promoting a more inclusive culture can help bridge the gender gap in engineering. I wanted to understand from Kirti what she felt was the biggest roadblock in attracting women into engineering and technology roles.
A study conducted on engineering applicants by our HR department revealed an interesting gender disparity in how men and women approach job requirements. When faced with a job description that included additional requirements they did not possess, the male applicants showed a higher level of confidence in their ability to acquire those skills on the job and were more inclined to apply for the position despite lacking certain qualifications. On the other hand, female applicants tended to be more cautious and hesitant to apply if they didn’t meet all the listed requirements, with many feeling they needed to have about 90% of the skills mentioned before considering the opportunity. This discrepancy highlights a significant difference in self-assessment and risk tolerance between male and female job seekers when it comes to pursuing new opportunities.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
While concerns about women in engineering were important, I also wanted to gain insight into Kirti’s decision-making and collaboration methods when faced with various viable solutions or conflicting perspectives. As the overseer of 80 engineers, Kirti is pivotal in steering the team towards success. I sought valuable lessons for efficient team management and project execution.
Having a clear strategy is the foundation for any successful business endeavour. By defining your objectives and breaking them down into achievable goals, you set a roadmap for your company’s growth. To achieve these goals, it is crucial to hire intelligent and skilled engineers capable of offering diverse solutions to tackle challenges. By dissecting the process layer by layer and focusing on: the scalability and adaptability of solutions, speed to market, we can evolve with the changing needs of the business, setting the stage for sustainable success.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
Creating an environment to attract and retain intelligent and skilled engineers is no easy feat. It requires a combination of factors such as offering competitive compensation packages, providing opportunities for growth and development, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, and creating a positive work-life balance. I wanted to understand what actions Kirti was taking to attract and retain her large engineering workforce.
What is crucial for the success of any organisation is ensuring that every engineer, team lead, technical lead, and architect comprehends the business goals. They must have a clear understanding of the organisation’s objectives and how their tasks contribute to the broader picture. This level of clarity is essential as it not only aids in problem-solving but also streamlines work prioritisation. When each member of the team is aligned with the overarching business goals, it paves the way for smoother operations and more efficient decision-making processes at all levels within the organisation. When employees take ownership and responsibility for their work, they are more likely to be fulfilled.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
We then dug deeper into Kirti’s’ retention strategies for engineers, particularly in terms of the opportunities for growth and development that she offers. Kirti’s retention strategies for engineers create ample opportunities to foster an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to excel. By providing avenues for career advancement, skill enhancement, and continuous ownership, Kirti ensures that her team members are retained and inspired to reach their full potential.
Creating a culture of support and empowerment within engineering teams is crucial for fostering innovation and growth. By providing a safe space where team members feel encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them, companies can cultivate an environment that thrives on continuous improvement. Offering autonomy to engineers allows them the freedom to explore new ideas and solutions while also instilling a sense of ownership and accountability in their work. This symbiotic relationship between autonomy and accountability not only enhances individual performance but also promotes collaboration and teamwork within the team. Ultimately, by nurturing this culture of trust and responsibility, companies can empower their engineering teams to achieve greater success and drive impactful results. In addition, Succession planning is viewed negatively by some, but for me, it’s a positive and proactive exercise that should be started early on. It involves identifying future leaders within an organisation and investing in their development. Succession planning is not only about preparing individuals for leadership roles but also about ensuring everyone has a clear career path. Evaluating individuals’ problem-solving skills and pragmatism is essential.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies is crucial for success. I wanted to find out how Kirti remains at the forefront of technological advancements to maintain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
Continuous learning is crucial for staying relevant and innovative. The moment you believe you have mastered it all is the moment your growth stagnates. For instance, currently, I am immersing myself in a course on artificial intelligence at the Saïd Business School. This course delves into not only the technical aspects but also the strategic implementation of AI in businesses. It’s not merely about adopting a new technology but about effectively integrating it across different business functions in a sustainable way. Understanding how to align technology with various divisions is key to leveraging its full potential
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
As our conversation ended, I couldn’t help but wonder what advice Kirti would offer to women starting their engineering careers with aspirations of becoming a technology leader like her. She was very open with her final piece of advice:
Women have often discussed biases and challenges they face in various settings. From my experiences in male-dominated environments, I’ve learned the importance of setting aside these biases, staying confident, and believing in the value of my contributions. Women can offer a unique perspective that adds a different dimension to problem-solving and decision-making processes. It’s essential not to doubt ourselves or question our viewpoints simply because they may differ from those of men. Embracing diverse perspectives is a strength, as it allows for more comprehensive analyses and innovative solutions to emerge. By recognising and valuing the distinct viewpoints that women bring to the table, we can foster a more effective environment for collaboration and growth.
Kirti Lalwani, Technology Leader at Metapack Global | Distinguished female leader in Engineering
Kirti Lalwani’s journey underscores the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity in engineering, technology, and all STEM fields. As we strive for progress, let us heed Kirti’s advice and embrace the value of diverse perspectives, recognising that they are the catalysts for innovation and growth. By empowering women in technology and creating supportive environments, we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in the world of technology.
