While on the eve of International Women in Engineering Day, while many companies have few women engineers heading any of their company’s departments, Honeywell has 3 female engineers who have important roles in the space program.

Jennifer Reich is an Aerospace Principal Product Design Engineer at Honeywell, who specializes in aerodynamic analysis “using computational fluid dynamics to design and develop engine inlet and exhaust systems, pneumatic valves, space and marine valves, and some unique products in between. This means that she uses analysis software to bring together fluid mechanics, numerical analysis, and computer science to solve and visualize complicated air flows within complex aerospace products,” WhereWomenWork explains. 

Reich develops parts for various aerospace vehicles and analyzes their impact. “"I can see the direct impact we are making, and it is extremely exciting to be a part of aerospace innovation!" Reich said.

She has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Phoenix Chapter since her freshman year of college. “The connections I have made over the years are invaluable," adds Reich. "I also love participating in SWE outreach events to connect with and inspire future women engineers.

Mercedes Valladares is the Director of Engineering in Aerospace at Honeywell working with the Boeing Defense business team. “Her key responsibilities include collaborating with the Honeywell customer business team and business development on the technology pipeline and new products to create growth,” WhereWomenWork notes.

Following in the family footsteps - her brother is a mechanical engineer - Valladares has worked on products for both satellites and other spacecraft such as the Shuttle and the Orion space capsule. She also helped build an automated CO2 Snow cleaning system, designed and built over 22 years ago but still used in the clean rooms at Honeywell's Clearwater site.

Like most engineers, Valladares loves a challenge. "It is always the need to provide a solution to a particular challenge or set of challenges which inspires me to innovate," she stated.

Melissa Jones, a Honeywell Aerospace Engineer, develops software that tests Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems. Used in unmanned space vehicles, as well as fighter jets and military helicopters, her software has been used as the primary guidance for the CH-47 Chinook military helicopter.

Since working at Honeywell, Jones has had the chance to join her local Clearwater, Florida Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and be on the Outreach committee. Jones enjoys facilitating outreach events for teenage girls - one called "Future Figures" had them watch and discussed the film Hidden Figures to encourage their interest in STEM fields.

"This would not have been possible without Honeywell's support of SWE memberships," Jones pointed out. "This support has also allowed me to present at regional SWE conferences to share my experiences and empower Women in STEM."

Honeywell has been a very active supporter and employer of women engineers. For those looking to pursue an engineering career at Honeywell - try here for more information. There is also an interesting video of Honeywell's female engineers here.