Published: Fri 12 Dec 2025
Basingstoke space engineer crowned Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2025
Jennifer Barry, Senior Systems Engineer at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), has been named the Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2025 at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards, held at IET London: Savoy Place last night.
A passionate advocate for space sustainability, Jennifer has represented the UK at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and contributed to the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris initiative, which tackles the growing challenge of space debris and aims to ensure a safer, more sustainable future in orbit.
Her journey into aerospace began early. As a pre-teen, she won a Metro newspaper competition proposing a mission to study Earth-like planets because she was worried about climate change.
The prize - a week at Space Camp Turkey - “broadened what ‘space’ meant to me,” she said. Time as a Brownie and air cadet built her confidence, often being one of only a few girls, which later helped her feel at home in engineering.
Jennifer’s outreach work spans more than 500 hours, inspiring the next generation through flagship STEM events and initiatives. At Lockheed Martin UK, she co-led a team delivering hundreds of hours of engagement and created Teach the Teacher, a programme bringing educators onto engineering sites to demystify modern careers. She’s continued that commitment at UKSA and SSTL, delivering lectures to hundreds of students and supporting outreach with the Institute of Physics and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
On winning, Jennifer said: “This recognition gives me a powerful platform to drive change – because visibility matters. When people see someone like them in this space, it changes what they believe is possible. I want to use this opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices, challenge stereotypes, and show that engineering is for everyone. Women still make up less than 17% of engineers, and we need to see more diverse spokespeople on panels, in leadership roles, and celebrated across the industry. I’m committed to mentoring others and helping make that happen, while continuing to grow in my own career.”
“Part of that change is inspiring the next generation. I’m excited to promote engineering - and especially space - to young girls, showing them the huge variety of roles available, so more young people can imagine themselves in these careers.”
Other winners include Amy Dillon, a Principal Engineer at Design ID who won the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) Prize, Rachel Donaghey, a Service Introduction Manager at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) who won the Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices, and Vince Pizzoni who won the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award. Finalists Rachel Hayden and Nikkala Pokojski were both highly commended.
The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards aim to showcase the breadth of opportunities for young women in engineering and technology. By highlighting these role models, the IET hopes to address the UK’s engineering skills shortage and encourage more girls and women into the profession.
Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the IET, said: “Engineering and technology are at the heart of solving global challenges and shaping a better future for all. Yet, despite the exciting opportunities this sector offers, women remain significantly underrepresented, making up just 16.9% of the engineering and technology workforce. This is often due to misconceptions about what engineering involves, persistent gender stereotypes and a lack of visible role models for young people.
Our awards shine a spotlight on incredible individuals who are breaking down these barriers. They are not only leaders in their fields but also powerful ambassadors for the profession. I’d like to congratulate all this year’s winners and finalists – they are inspiring examples of what’s possible and will help encourage more girls to consider engineering as a career.
Engineering is creative, diverse, and impactful – it’s a profession that changes lives and shapes the world. We must continue to champion these opportunities to the next generation.”
This year’s YWE Awards were sponsored by GCHQ, Leonardo, London Stanstead Airport, MBDA, Northrop Grumman, Royal Air Force, and BAE Systems.
Entries for the 2026 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards open on 8 March 2026. To find out more information, please visit www.theiet.org/ywe.
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Notes to editors:
Please note that photos from the awards ceremony are available upon request.
About the IET
- We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
- We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth means we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society.
- We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
- Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
- For more information, visit www.theiet.org.
- Follow the IET on LinkedIn and Instagram via @TheIET / @InstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology.
Media enquiries to:
Megan Stearn
Senior Communications Executive
E: meganstearn@theiet.org