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Passionate about engineering
In 2023, March 8 will once again be marked by the annual International Women's Day and this year will closely follow International Engineers Week with the motto "Creating Future". Reason enough to introduce our female talents and engineers at thyssenkrupp. After all, they are the ones who shape the world of tomorrow every day. What do engineers do and how do you become an engineer? Stefanie Richter, Senior Design Engineer at thyssenkrupp Calvion, explains.
From technical illustrator to becoming an engineer
"I'm fascinated when I'm at a cement plant," Stefanie says. "It's the huge machines, the smell - it makes my heart beat faster." To realize what she liked, Stefanie first trained as a technical illustrator at thyssenkrupp (back then Krupp Polysius) after graduating high school. It quickly became clear that she wanted to study afterward because Stefanie no longer just wanted to draw machines but rather understand, design, and improve them. In other words, she wanted to become an engineer.
After her studies in mechanical engineering, several internships and her diploma thesis, Stefanie was drawn back to thyssenkrupp Polysius in 2006. Since then, she has been working in the product development department. There she has been responsible for project management for new and further developments of machines in the cement industry for 16 years now and contributes to these projects.
A team for a successful machine
What Stefanie Richter appreciates about thyssenkrupp is the work-life balance and the opportunity to work flexibly. "thyssenkrupp is a reliable employer with vision," Stefanie emphasizes.
What does an engineer do at thyssenkrupp Calvion? In her day-to-day work, Stefanie deals with adapting the construction of the plant manufacturer's large-scale plants and machines to the customer's requirements. Apart from keeping costs as low as possible, energy efficiency and the development of new technologies are also becoming increasingly important.
As an example of such a project, Stefanie mentions the new clinker cooler polytrack® eco, short for 'Evolution of Cooler'. A project that started in 2019 and went into operation in 2022. "The cooler manages to cool 1300°C hot clinker from the rotary kiln down to 100°C in just 30 minutes, while being extremely energy-efficient and maintaining positive heat recovery," explains Stefanie. After a year of operation, the inspection has been completed and Stefanie and her team are currently finalizing the development of the series. Looking back, the engineer says with pride: "As a team, we have developed a really successful machine through close cooperation." The perfect answer to the question "What does an engineer do?"
Diverse, varied and creative: the engineering profession
What does an engineer do? And what makes the engineering profession so attractive? What Stefanie likes about her job is how diverse and varied it is and how creative you can be: "As an engineer, I can think outside the box and question solutions. " Above all, however, it's the teamwork that Stefanie enjoys: "Working on successful projects with motivated colleagues is what I enjoy most about being an engineer," she says.
Since Stefanie started as an apprentice at thyssenkrupp, day-to-day work at the company has changed. What does an engineer do with regard to digitalization: "Everyday work has become more digital than before and the tools have changed," says Stefanie. "We now work in a very hybrid way, 3D planning is now standard and the amount of communication in my work has increased." Thanks to this good communication, Stefanie and her team were able to handle the planning for the new cooler, for example, in a completely decentralized and hybrid way.
Only a man can become an engineer? Total nonsense!
Hybrid and digital working at thyssenkrupp Calvion not only makes teamwork easier, but also creates freedom in her private life. Stefanie Richter's son was born in 2014. "I shared my parental leave with my husband," says Stefanie - a matter of course for her. Today, decentralized collaboration and flexible working hours make it easier for working parents to balance family and career, says the engineer.
When asked why more young women should enter the engineering profession or become engineers, Stefanie says clearly: "Statements like 'Only a man can become an engineer' are total nonsense! Girls and women have just as much talent for technology and STEM." They should therefore rely on their inner compass and not be afraid of studying to become an engineer, where 90 percent of students are male, says the engineer. "With self-confidence and assertiveness, nothing stands in your way if you have an interest in technology."
How do you become an engineer?
And what do young prospective students need to bring to the table to become an engineer? "A healthy perfectionism and a willingness to learn continuously and take on responsibility," says Stefanie. Structured thinking and action as well as good teamwork and communication skills are other important foundations.
"For me, the training showed that it was exactly the right thing for me," says Stefanie. "But when you study mechanical engineering, you haven't yet decided what you want to do in life," she explains. "There are many opportunities to specialize both during your studies and in your professional life.
If you are also interested in technology and a career in engineering, you can find our vacancies - from internships to entry-level jobs - on our jobs page.