Traditionally, the engineering industry was characterized by heavy machinery, industrial sites, and physical endurance. Today, it is fundamentally reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, advanced analytics, and digital technologies that are transforming how industries operate. This shift is creating new pathways for women to enter, grow, and lead in the profession.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological advancements are expected to create 170 million jobs, equivalent to 14% of today’s total employment, and to transform the skills required across existing roles, creating opportunities globally. Engineering sits at the center of this change, with growing demand for professionals who can interpret and optimize data, streamline complex systems, and drive intelligent decision-making.
As these technologies transform how industries operate, the qualities that define engineering excellence are expanding. Technical expertise remains critical, but as engineering challenges become more complex, professionals must continually evolve their skills to remain competitive. Engineers are expected to communicate complex concepts clearly, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, think strategically, and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and market demands. Success is increasingly determined not only by an engineer’s ability to solve technical problems but also by their ability to align solutions with business objectives, influence decision-making, and drive meaningful outcomes.
Increasingly, engineers are expected to understand how electrical, mechanical, software, and data systems interact to create integrated solutions. A working knowledge of AI and machine learning is becoming increasingly valuable as industries adopt predictive maintenance, optimization, and intelligent automation.
“The most profound shift is the move from ‘fix-it-when-it-breaks’ to ‘predict-before-it-fails‘,” says Zanele Petane, Sales Specialist and Electrical Engineer at ABB. “Engineers are increasingly using data, digital technologies, and predictive analytics to optimize performance and prevent failures before they occur.”
At the same time, growing connectivity across operational technology systems is elevating the importance of cybersecurity awareness, while technologies such as digital twins, simulation software, PLCs, and SCADA systems are becoming integrated across modern engineering environments rather than being treated as specialist tools.
For women, these developments are creating significant opportunities. Emerging fields such as automation, AI, cybersecurity, digitalization, systems integration, and advanced analytics are broadening the scope of engineering careers and creating exciting new avenues for growth.
For Sharon Bam, Mechanical Engineer at ABB, these developments signal an exciting future for the profession. “The engineering profession continues to present limitless opportunities for growth and development. As technology reshapes industries, women have an opportunity to build expertise in emerging fields that will define the future of engineering,” she notes.
While progress has been made, women still account for between 16% – 23% of South Africa’s engineering workforce and remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions. As the industry evolves and new career opportunities emerge, there is a significant opportunity to strengthen the pipeline of female engineering talent and support more women in progressing into the leadership roles where they can shape innovation, influence decision-making, and help drive Africa’s industrial transformation.
“At ABB, diversity and inclusion are viewed as essential drivers of innovation and business success. We have set an ambitious goal of achieving 50% representation of women in senior leadership positions because diverse teams bring broader perspectives, stronger decision-making capabilities, and better outcomes for customers and communities alike,” says Petane.
The importance of expanding opportunities in engineering extends beyond individual careers and organizations. As countries across Africa strengthen energy security, modernize infrastructure, and accelerate industrial growth, engineering talent will be critical to building resilient economies and sustainable communities. Intelligent engineering solutions powered by data, automation, and digital technologies will play a central role in shaping the continent’s future, creating significant opportunities for the next generation of engineers to drive innovation and progress.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the women already shaping Africa’s future while inspiring the next generation to imagine themselves at the forefront of engineering’s next chapter. Under the theme “Engineering Intelligence”, this year’s commemoration highlights the growing role women are playing in shaping a profession that is becoming smarter, more connected, and increasingly central to Africa’s industrial transformation.
