THIS week marked International Women in Engineering Day – a chance to celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of women shaping the future through engineering.
For Flight Lieutenant Sarah Welsh, an aeronautical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the journey into engineering began not in a classroom, but in a backyard shed in Macksville.
Growing up, Flight Lieutenant Welsh spent countless hours alongside her dad, learning the fundamentals of problem-solving while tinkering with tractors, lawn mowers, and chainsaws.
“Somewhere along the way, I decided to make a career of it,” she said.
That early curiosity and hands-on learning laid the foundation for a career built on technical thinking and practical outcomes.
Her decision to join the RAAF was driven by a strong sense of service, combined with the opportunity to experience new places and roles. Since joining, she has lived in Canberra and Richmond, while travelling across Australia and internationally.
Today, she works as the Flightline Maintenance Officer with 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, a role she describes as her favourite so far, complete with an office view overlooking the flightline.
Flight Lieutenant Welsh’s day-to-day work involves overseeing the maintenance planning and execution for the C-130J-30 Hercules, ensuring the aircraft are safe and ready to undertake missions both domestically and internationally.
As part of a 24/7 unit, her responsibilities extend beyond standard hours, including nights, weekends and deployments. Engineering plays a crucial role in this work, particularly when dealing with complex or unexpected issues.
“Sometimes the solutions aren’t straightforward and we need to think outside the box, especially when an aircraft breaks away from home base and resources are limited,” she said.
Her career so far has included some unforgettable experiences, from flying over the Whitsundays and Papua New Guinea highlands to working alongside international partners on Exercise Pitch Black. She’s also found reward in mentoring junior aviators.
To young people considering engineering, she acknowledges the challenges, but emphasises the payoff.
“Studying can be tough, but once you graduate, the opportunities are endless and it’s incredibly rewarding seeing real-world outcomes from what you do.”
Flight Lieutenant Welsh describes herself as just a very small cog in a much larger machine, but one that plays an important role in keeping operations moving. Whether supporting humanitarian missions, disaster response or overseas deployments, she sees firsthand how engineering makes a tangible impact.
International Women in Engineering Day is celebrated globally on 23 June every year with this year’s theme being ‘Engineering Intelligence’. Flight Lieutenant Welsh’s story highlights the impact of passion, resilience and service, proving that engineering is not just about machines, but about making a meaningful difference.
By Flight Lieutenant Felicity ABRAHAM
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