Engineering Intelligence: Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2026

Yesterday, 23 June 2026, marked International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). This annual global celebration is organised by the Women’s Engineering Society. Its purpose is to recognise the achievements of women engineers and, just as importantly, inspire the next generation into the profession. This year’s theme is #EngineeringIntelligence, and at EMBS Talent Group, it resonates deeply with everything we do.

What Is International Women in Engineering Day?

INWED began in the UK in 2014. It was launched by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), a charity founded in 1919 by pioneering women who refused to leave the profession after the First World War. Since then, the movement has grown enormously, receiving UNESCO patronage in 2016 and reaching engineers and advocates in countries around the world.

In 2026, INWED celebrated its 13th year. The theme, Engineering Intelligence, shone a spotlight on the skills, creativity, and leadership that women bring to engineering. Notably, this spans every sector, from advanced manufacturing and aerospace to AI, data, and new technologies.

Why Representation in Engineering Still Matters

Progress is being made, but the sector still has a long way to go. Currently, women represent just 17% of those working in engineering and technology roles in the UK. By contrast, they make up 56% of workers in other industries. Although that figure has improved from under 10% a decade ago, the pace of change needs to be faster.

Furthermore, the impact of this gap goes beyond fairness. The UK engineering sector faces a serious skills shortage, with 76% of employers struggling to find the right talent. As a result, building a more varied pipeline is not just a social good. It is, in fact, an economic and industrial priority.

At EMBS Talent Group, we believe change starts with visibility. In other words, women in engineering must be seen, celebrated, and connected with the opportunities they deserve.

What Does Engineering Intelligence Mean to Us?

This year’s theme captured something we see every day. Engineering is not just about technical skill. Indeed, it also calls for sound judgement, creative thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to communicate clearly across teams and disciplines.

Women in engineering bring all of this and more. Moreover, the sector and the world are better for their contribution. For example, from CNC machinists setting precision tolerances in aerospace to project engineers leading large infrastructure programmes, the women in our networks are doing outstanding work.

EMBS Talent Group’s Commitment to Diversity in Engineering

As a specialist talent partner across Transport, Energy, Defence, Engineering, and Technology, EMBS Talent Group is committed to championing diversity at every stage of the hiring process. In practice, that means:

• Writing clear, open job descriptions that welcome applicants from all backgrounds
• Actively seeking and engaging female candidates across our specialist networks
• Advising clients on fair hiring practices and inclusive employer branding
• Celebrating and profiling the female engineers in our community
• Supporting initiatives like INWED that raise the profile of women in the profession

Representation matters at every level, from apprenticeships to the boardroom. For this reason, our recruitment spans shopfloor to C-suite, and we work only with employers who share our values around inclusion.

Are You Looking for Your Next Engineering Role?

We are extremely busy right now. Consequently, demand for engineering and technology talent is at a record high, and our job board shows it. Whether you are a seasoned engineer ready for a new challenge, or earlier in your career and looking for the right place to grow, we could have the role for you.

Current areas of recruitment include:

• Precision Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing: CNC Machinists, Design Engineers, Quality Engineers, Production Engineers
• Aerospace and Defence: from skilled technicians to senior engineering leadership
• Automotive and Motorsport: across design, development, and quality functions
• Technology and Digital: Software Development, Data and AI, Project and Programme Management
• Transport, Energy and Infrastructure: project engineers, systems engineers, and operations specialists

Both permanent and contract roles are available across the UK. Therefore, whether you are based in the Midlands, London, the North, or elsewhere, there are opportunities worth exploring.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Browse our live vacancies at embstalent.co.uk/job-listings or contact us directly for a confidential chat about your next move.

Call us: 01332 208 888

To Every Woman in Engineering

Yesterday may have been the official day of celebration, but our commitment does not stop there. Your work is seen, your contribution is valued, and your place in this industry matters. Above all, we want to make sure the next generation of female engineers can find a clear path into and through this industry.

Engineering Intelligence is not just this year’s theme. Ultimately, it is the future of the sector, and women are at the heart of it.

#INWED2026 #EngineeringIntelligence #WomenInEngineering #EMBSTalent #EngineeringJobs #DiversityInEngineering #WomenInSTEM