Laura Petrescue is a materials engineering graduate from the University of British Columbia. After graduation, she started her career in the aerospace industry at the Institute for Aerospace Research at the National Research Council. She then moved into the manufacturing sector by joining Avcorp Industries, now known as Latecoere Aerostructures Canada, in Delta, BC, where she currently serves as the Manager of Engineering and Technology Development. At Latecoere Aerostructures, Laura manages the material review board and works on projects to improve efficiency, quality, and information gathering in the manufacturing processes for aerostructures used by major aerospace OEMs such as Boeing, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems.
When asked what made her decide to work in the manufacturing sector and what she enjoys most about her job, Laura said,
"I believe that the outcome of one's work is key. It is rewarding to see a product that you have worked on be used by others and make a difference in their lives. In contrast, working in a lab often involves building and testing things with no tangible outcome, other than the reports and information gathered. The fast-paced nature of the manufacturing industry, with its deadlines and customer expectations, adds an extra level of motivation to my work. I also really enjoy the teamwork aspect of my job. It takes a team of people with different skills and roles to come together and build a product. One person cannot do it alone, and it is through the group's collaboration and effort that we can achieve success."
In a conversation with Laura, she shared her insights from her career and the manufacturing industry.
Who do you think should consider Manufacturing engineering?
It is a field that offers the opportunity to bring innovative ideas to life and make a tangible impact on the world. If you have a passion for problem-solving and hands-on work, and thrive in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment, then this could be the perfect career for you. It is important to be comfortable working in teams and have the ability to adapt to new challenges as they arise. In this industry, you will have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of professionals and learn from their expertise, all while supporting and collaborating with them to achieve success. If you enjoy the excitement of a constantly moving and changing environment, then the manufacturing industry may be the right fit for you.
As a professional, what trends or future developments do you foresee in the manufacturing industry?
The trend toward digitalization seems inevitable and will likely impact all industries. Automation adoption, however, will be based on the industry's unique requirements as well as the quantity and nature of the items produced. Automation might not be the ideal fit for all production setups, even though it occasionally may be a cost-effective solution. Students should be aware of both manual and automated procedures and think about the possible return on investment of automation in their particular profession. In the end, the technology trends that apply to a particular manufacturing environment will depend on the particular requirements and objectives of the sector. But it appears inevitable that digitalization will affect most, if not all, industries.
In the manufacturing sector, what role can women engineers play?
Female engineers can excel in any role they choose, and there is a wide range of needs in the manufacturing industry that can be filled by individuals with diverse skill sets. There are female leaders at Latecoere Aerostructures in the department and recent graduates on staff. However, it would be great to see more female applicants for these roles, as the skills required are diverse and can lead to many different career paths within the company. From learning about engineering and the planning process as a manufacturing engineer, to moving into project or program management, or even engineering management, there are many opportunities for growth and development. It is important to remember that the skills and interests of individuals can shape their careers and guide them toward roles that best suit their strengths.
What has been your personal experience as a female engineer working in the manufacturing sector? Have you encountered any obstacles?
As a woman in the engineering field, upon graduating I did not encounter significant gender-based barriers among my peers. However, I did notice a lack of female representation in higher-level management positions within the industry and often found myself as one of the few women in the room at conferences or seminars. Although the representation of women in leadership roles has increased within our generation, there is still room for improvement at the executive level. It is encouraging to see more women in leadership positions and I hope to see even more representation at all levels in the future. I believe that there should not be any significant barriers for female engineers starting out in their careers.
What advice do you have for students who are thinking about majoring in manufacturing engineering or who are already enrolled in the program and pursuing a career in the industry?
To succeed as a manufacturing engineer, it's important to gain practical experience through internships or co-op jobs in various production environments. This helps you gain a comprehensive understanding of the sector and identify your areas of interest. Interpersonal and teamwork skills are also crucial, as collaboration with people from different departments and backgrounds is a central aspect of manufacturing engineering.
In addition, it's valuable to have a diverse set of skills, such as programming, data analysis, and Lean and Six Sigma training, which can be applied in a variety of industries. Continuing to learn and be open to new ideas and experiences also enables you to adapt your knowledge to different environments. Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences and justify decisions based on both technical and business considerations, are also essential for success in the industry.
Overall, manufacturing engineering is a rewarding and fascinating profession with lots of opportunities for advancement.