“I would take apart anything mechanical I could get my hands-on – a clock, an old radio,” she said. “What always fascinated me was how each part of a device contributed to a larger system and had a specific role in making the device function. Now I get to work on complex actuator systems and I find it incredibly rewarding to be involved in the complete cycle from conceptual design to configuration and optimisation of actuators that demand both precision and reliability.”

It takes a team to bring these systems to life and Santhakumari credits diverse perspectives for successful collaboration.

“Such perspectives are fundamental to driving innovation in engineering,” she said. “When people from different backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints come together, there’s a variety of thought that encourages creative problem-solving and helps teams to identify solutions that might be overlooked in one homogeneous group.” 

The theme of this year’s International Women in Engineering Day is #TogetherWeEngineer, something Santhakumari believes summarises her day-to-day working in Rotork.

She said: “We have many teams of mixed disciplines and experiences. This enriches discussions and sparks innovation by combining technical expertise with different approaches to challenges. #TogetherWeEngineer perfectly captures our spirit because when we collaborate inclusively, respecting and leveraging our differences, we build stronger products and solutions that serve diverse industries and global markets better.”

This is a key point for Santhakumari, and one she believes anyone thinking about a career in engineering must consider.  

Santhakumari said: “Build on your communication and teamwork abilities. Engineering projects rarely happen in isolation and being able to collaborate effectively with colleagues from different disciplines is critical for success.”