At Gentherm, we believe that engineering is a collective force, and the most meaningful progress happens when we work together. This year, in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day and its theme “Together we Engineer,” we’re proud to highlight the voices of women across our global teams.
We asked some of our global engineers to answer questions about teamwork, proud career moments and the influence of mentors. From overcoming technical challenges to lifting each other up, each story reveals the impact of collaboration.
Katie Johnson | Quality Engineer II | Cincinnati, United States
Katie devotes every step in her journey at Gentherm to teamwork and collaboration. From refining processes to enhancing the quality of medical products, the collective effort has been her anchor and her inspiration.
She credits Gentherm’s culture for making this possible. “Working alongside a company that values teamwork and collaboration gives me a reason to be excited to come to work!” That enthusiasm radiates through her work and reminds us how energizing true collaboration can be.
Manali Patel | Product Engineer | Novi, United States
“Collaborating with cross-functional teams has accelerated my technical development,” says Manali. Whether she’s designing for cost, durability, or manufacturability, the collaborative process helps her align technical decisions with big-picture strategy.
She recalls how one intense vehicle validation phase almost went off track due to a sudden customer requirement. “Through intense collaboration with cross functional teams, we identified a solution, validated it, and implemented it within days.” That experience of turning a potential failure into a success remains one of her proudest moments as an engineer.
Manali is also deeply inspired by a fellow female engineer who “led by example—balancing technical depth with strategic thinking.” What stood out wasn’t just her problem-solving ability, but her talent for uplifting others.
Valeriia Hychka | Industrial Engineer | Vynohradiv, Ukraine
Looking back, she reflects on a moment that defined her career: “It was the combined effort, support, and mutual understanding within the team that helped us overcome all challenges and achieve our goal.” She sees that experience as proof of what’s possible when trust and synergy lead the way.
She also speaks fondly of a fellow female engineer whose example continues to inspire her. “Her enthusiasm, perseverance, and collaboration skills made a significant impact on my professional growth… I am grateful for her support and collaboration.”
Rozita Mirceska | Technical Expert, Global Process Owner, PFMEA | Prilep, North Macedonia
Rozita discovered that one of the greatest gifts of teamwork is self-awareness. “During working in a team, learning comes from each member’s experience,” she says. It’s this constant exchange of learning, doing, and observing that’s helped her recognize her own strengths and understand those of others.
“When you combine [strengths and weaknesses] in such a way that they complement each other,” she explains, “we achieve a common goal—effective teamwork.” For Rozita, growth isn’t just individual; it’s shared.
Cimmy Guo | Senior Product Engineer | Langfang, China
Cimmy sees teamwork as a transformative force. In her words, collaboration has the power to shift a project “from single-point breakthrough to systematic construction… from linear thinking to collision of multiple perspectives… from technical executor to comprehensive talent.” Cimmy has seen this power firsthand within her team when they were honored with the title of “Best Supplier” by a customer.
When reflecting on the contributions of fellow female engineers, she points out their thoughtful execution: “Female engineers focus on details, consider things thoroughly, and facilitate smoother cross-departmental collaboration.”
Ilka Eckert | Engineering Manager, Requirements | Treuchtlingen, Germany
“My degree in plastics engineering did little to prepare me for such products at a technical level,” Ilka admits, reflecting on the complex electro-pneumatic systems she works with today. But the collaboration and patience of some highly appreciated senior engineers and experts helped her build the understanding she needed.
Her systems knowledge, from Polarion to ASPICE, comes from cross-functional experience, cultivated over years of teamwork. Ilka’s philosophy is that “teamwork and thinking outside the ‘department’ box are the keys to success.”
Yousra Assadiki | NPI/APQP Engineer | Tangier, Morocco
“Teamwork and collaboration had helped me on my onboarding,” says Yousra, “and is still helping me to go through my tasks easily.” Her career so far has been guided by support, efficiency, and the steady rhythm of strong teamwork. “For me, in the engineering department, all the work is done efficiently and successfully only by teamwork,” she adds, underscoring how collaboration is not just helpful—it’s essential.
Kinga Miskolczi | Commodity Engineer | Pilisszentivan, Hungary
For Kinga, collaboration unlocks more than efficiency, it cultivates growth. “It helps people to be open-minded, flexible, and develop problem-solving skills,” she shares. Through teamwork, engineers gain access to fresh ideas, constructive feedback, and opportunities to both teach and learn.
Every engineer we featured reminds us that progress is not a solo pursuit. It’s shared knowledge, mutual respect, and the courage to lead and learn side by side. “Together we Engineer” isn’t just a theme—it’s how we work, how we grow, and how we shape the future.
We invite you to celebrate with us by reading and sharing these stories, and by joining the conversation on social media as we spotlight each of these incredible women.
