How Identity Has Influenced a System Engineer at Raytheon Technologies's Career
Early in their career, a male-identifying system engineer at Raytheon Technologies observed an implicit bias favoring males in a historically male-dominated field, noting teams with "maybe one female in a team of 10." However, the industry is now actively working to "boost" female representation in STEM through initiatives and recruiting efforts, aiming to utilize "untapped talent" to propel the industry forward.
Gender Bias in Tech, STEM Diversity Initiatives, Raytheon Technologies, System Engineering, Career Advancement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Cesar Cabrera
System Engineer
Raytheon Technologies
California State University, Long Beach
N/A
Engineering - Mechanical
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Government & Public Sector
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Honors Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. In the past, the system engineering field had a significant gender imbalance, with fewer women than men.
2. There's been a noticeable push in the last five years to increase female representation in system engineering and STEM fields in general.
3. Companies like Raytheon are actively working to recruit more women engineers through initiatives and partnerships with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
Transcript
As someone who identifies as male, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Early on, when I started, there were definitely more males in the industry than females. I don't think it was intentionally one way or the other, but it was more of an implicit bias.
We might have had a team of 10 people with only one female. There's been a huge push, especially in the five years I've been in the industry, to bring on more female engineers and increase their engagement in STEM overall.
There are many initiatives at companies like Northrop and Raytheon, where I am now. We do a lot of recruiting with the Society of Women Engineers, trying to boost female participation.
I think the industry has gone one way for so long, and it's ready to be shaken up. There's so much untapped talent, and broadening the scope will propel companies like Raytheon or Boeing, and the industry as a whole, forward.