Celebrating women in engineering – meet Dr Margi Vilnay

What initially sparked your interest in engineering, or when did you first realise you wanted to pursue a career in that field?

“One of my first memories is being around three years old and having a passionate argument on whether the Eiffel Tower was a bridge (my opinion) or a tower (my dad). I then decided to dedicate my life to proving my point and have since discovered that the Eiffel Tower’s design and construction drew heavily from the engineering principles used in bridge building, particularly Gustave Eiffel’s expertise in constructing large, metal viaducts. So, I think I win the argument😉

“But seriously, I’ve always been interested in how the world around me works – from a young age, I’ve loved building things from Lego (still do) and taking things apart without always managing to put them back together (still happens). I think this curiosity helped me find my way into engineering.”

Were there any specific subjects in school that you particularly enjoyed or excelled at, and do you think they pointed you towards engineering?

“I was one of those annoying pupils who pretty much found interest in most subjects at school, apart from languages – that really wasn’t for me. That made it harder to choose what subjects I wanted to invest in. In the end, I gravitated toward the more science subjects – physics, chemistry and maths.”

Did you have any role models who inspired you or encouraged you to consider engineering?

“My dad is an engineer, and growing up, he always encouraged me to be curious about the world around me, to ask questions, and develop my creative side. That curiosity and encouragement helped me see engineering as not just a possible path, but an exciting and meaningful one.

“As I’ve progressed in my career and become more aware of what it means to be a woman in engineering, I’ve developed enormous admiration for the trailblazers who came before me — women (and some men) who challenged expectations and paved the way so that someone like me could study and build an engineering career.

“There are so many incredible women I admire, but for International Women in Engineering Day, I’d like to highlight a few:”

• Hertha Ayrton was a pioneering electrical engineer and inventor; although she conducted groundbreaking research on electric arcs, she was not allowed to present her own paper at the Royal Society due to being a woman.
• Hedy Lamarr, best known as a Hollywood actress, co-invented a frequency-hopping communication system during the Second World War that laid the foundation for modern wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Emily Roebling took over the chief supervision of the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband, the chief engineer, became severely ill, effectively completing one of the most iconic engineering projects of the 19th century.
• Dorothée Pullinger was an engineer and entrepreneur who designed the Galloway car specifically for women drivers and managed a munitions and motor works factory that trained and employed female engineers during and after the First World War.
• Victoria Drummond was the first female marine engineer in the UK and, despite facing repeated institutional barriers, attempted the chief engineer’s examination over 30 times before eventually gaining recognition for her skills and bravery.
• Marjem Chatterton was the first woman to become a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers and was instrumental in designing some of Zimbabwe’s first skyscrapers.

What kind of higher education did you pursue?

“I completed an undergraduate degree in Structural Engineering; I then went on to do a two-and-a-half-year research master’s (MSc) in Structural Engineering. I was very lucky to be part of an EU research group investigating innovative ways of protecting historical structures from earthquakes.

“I really enjoyed the research element and decided to continue research in the form of a PhD, in which I investigated how to protect reinforced concrete structures from blast loads.”

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced on your journey to becoming an engineer? How did you overcome them?

“To be honest, I didn’t really encounter many challenges on my journey to becoming an engineer – I was very lucky to have a great group of guys to study with as well as a very supportive home environment and partner.

“My real challenges only came later on in my career and were mainly related to my being a woman in a very male dominated discipline; having to come to terms with a lack of recognition in the workplace, comments about being a working mum and how that made me less deserving of opportunities and being told I was not a good fit.

“Despite the challenges, I really believe that engineering is a great profession. The more diversity we can attract to the field – background, experience, gender, ethnicity etc., the more inclusive it’ll become and the more engineering innovations we’ll see.”

How did you land your first engineering job? What was that experience like?

“I approached finding an industry job in an unconventional way (not recommended) – whilst I was still doing my PhD, I came across the Gradcracker A-Z of engineering companies and started applying to engineering graduate schemes starting at A. Luckily, before I’d even reached the end of B, I passed a graduate assessment centre and got my dream job in an advanced analysis team for an Oil and Gas department in a global engineering consultancy. It merged research with solving real-time sensitive scenarios in an amazing team of engineers.”

What drew you to your current role?

“I’m currently a Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering at the University of Dundee. My current role brings together the things I care most about: teaching, structural engineering, and making engineering more inclusive and accessible.”

What do you find most rewarding about being an engineer?

“For me, the most rewarding part of being an engineer is knowing that the work we do has a real, tangible impact — whether it’s designing structures that keep people safe or solving problems that improve how communities live and function.

“I also love the creativity and curiosity at the heart of engineering. It’s not just about calculations — it’s about asking questions, exploring possibilities, and coming up with practical solutions to complex challenges.

“But perhaps most rewarding is the opportunity to work with and support the next generation of engineers. Seeing students grow in confidence, especially those who may not have seen themselves represented in this field before, is incredibly fulfilling. Helping to open those doors — and showing that engineering is for everyone — makes everything worthwhile.”

 What qualities do you think are most important for a successful engineer to possess?

“Curiosity is at the heart of engineering — the drive to ask why, to understand how things work, and to explore how they could work better. But just as important are creativity and critical thinking — being able to see the bigger picture while solving detailed, technical problems.

“Teamwork is absolutely essential. Engineering is rarely a solo effort — successful projects rely on collaboration and being able to bring together different perspectives and skillsets. Being a good team player means listening, contributing, and knowing when to lead and when to support. Key to that is communication – whether it’s explaining a complex concept to a client, collaborating across disciplines, or mentoring others, the ability to express ideas clearly and understand others is really important.

“Finally, resilience and adaptability are crucial. Engineering challenges are often unpredictable, and the best engineers are those who persevere, learn from setbacks, and embrace change.

“Ultimately, a successful engineer combines technical skill with empathy, openness, and a willingness to keep learning — because engineering is as much about people and community as it is about structures and systems.”

Is there a particular project or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your career? Why?

“Out of everything – research, working on large budget industry projects, and career progression – one of the things I’m most proud of is leading a funded Engineering Experience Programme over the past two years.

“This initiative was designed to empower university engineering students to co-create and deliver a summer programme for local high school pupils from underrepresented backgrounds in engineering. Only 10% of engineering students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and dropout rates remain high. The impact was profound — not only on the pupils who gained confidence and insight into engineering as a future pathway, but also on the students who developed leadership and outreach skills.

“Unfortunately, we are now facing challenges in securing ongoing funding, but I’m incredibly proud that we created something meaningful, collaborative, and deeply rooted in the community.”

What advice would you give to young people considering a career in engineering?

“My biggest piece of advice is: don’t rule yourself out. Engineering is for everyone. If you’re curious about how things work, like solving problems, or want to make a real impact on the world — there’s a place for you in engineering.

“You don’t have to fit a particular mould. Are you creative or artistic? Great. Do you care about people and the world around you? Brilliant. Maybe you’re a strong communicator, love numbers, enjoy working outdoors, or prefer a more behind-the-scenes role. The truth is, the best engineering projects rely on diverse teams working together — people who bring different strengths, perspectives, and ideas.

“Engineering is all about collaboration, innovation, and improving lives. So, if you’re even a little bit curious — explore it! You might be surprised by how many paths and possibilities there are, and how much the profession needs people just like you.”

#INWED25