International Women in Engineering Day: Driving Innovation, Meet Thea O’Brien
International Women in Engineering Day: Driving Innovation, Meet Thea O’Brien
International Women in Engineering Day is all about celebrating the incredible women helping shape the future through innovation, creativity and problem-solving. This year’s theme, ‘Engineering Intelligence’, highlights the people behind the ideas, the engineers using their knowledge, curiosity and technical expertise to create smarter solutions for the world around us.
At Solarport, this is something we see every day in our Innovation Projects Lead, Thea O’Brien.
Discovering a Passion for Engineering
From a young age, Thea knew she loved getting stuck in and figuring things out for herself. While she laughs about being a bit of a “teacher’s pet” at school, it was always the practical side of learning that interested her most. Whether it was designing, building, or problem-solving, she was naturally drawn to hands-on work and enjoyed understanding how things worked. That curiosity and drive to create eventually led her towards engineering.
Thea was the first in her family to go to university, something she’s incredibly proud of. She graduated from the University of Southampton in 2022 after completing both an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering.
As part of her master’s, Thea worked on a biomimetic shoulder simulator to support the development of a new treatment concept for osteoarthritis. The project combined innovative engineering with real-world impact and went on to win the ‘Human Award’ at the University of Southampton Design Show in 2022.
For Thea, engineering was never just about the technical side of things. She always knew she wanted a career where she could make a difference.
A Career in Renewable Energy
After finishing university, Thea spent a month volunteering in Fiji, helping to build a medical dispensary for the local community, an experience that reflected her passion for making a meaningful impact beyond engineering.
Shortly after returning, she was accepted onto Anesco’s Graduate Scheme as a Junior Project Manager, where she spent two and a half years building her experience within the solar industry.
During that time, she oversaw the completion of several large-scale renewable energy projects, including a 20MW BESS site and a 16MW solar site in the UK. Alongside her project work, Thea was also a founding member of Anesco’s Young Professionals Network, later going on to chair the group, helping create opportunities for collaboration, development, and support for others starting their careers in the industry.
Joining Solarport
When the opportunity came to join Solarport as an Innovation & Operations Project Manager, it felt like a natural step.
“I’d worked with Solarport before joining, and every experience had always been really positive,” Thea explains. “I already had great connections with the team, and I loved the idea of being part of a team that genuinely focuses on problem-solving and developing products that can contribute to the wider solar industry.”
It didn’t take long for her impact to be recognised.
Just three months after joining Solarport, Thea was promoted to lead the Innovation team, something that speaks volumes about her technical ability, collaborative mindset, and the positive energy she brings to the business every day.
Looking To the Future
Now leading the innovation department, Thea is focused on keeping Solarport at the forefront of innovation in the solar infrastructure industry. From developing cutting-edge products to improving systems and processes, she’s passionate about making sure the company continues to evolve with the times.
She’s also excited about what the future could look like for the innovation team, including expanding the department into other countries and continuing to push boundaries across the sector.
To Anyone Considering a Career in Engineering
“Start now, you might never feel ready, and that’s ok. Engineering is fundamentally about figuring things out, and that starts from day one. If you’re someone who naturally asks why and how, who gets satisfaction from solving a problem or building something that works, then this is the field for you.
It doesn’t matter where you have come from. I came to university and my career from an unconventional background and there were absolutely moments where I wondered if I belonged. What I’ve learned is that engineering is far more human than people give it credit for. Yes, the technical knowledge matters, but so does curiosity, creativity, and the ability to collaborate with people. Those things can’t be taught in a lecture theatre.
For women especially, the industry needs you. Not as a token, but because diverse teams genuinely solve problems better. If you walk into a room and feel like you’re the odd one out, take that as a signal that your perspective is exactly what’s needed, not a reason to step back.
Say yes, even when it scares you. Some of the most defining moments in my career came from opportunities I almost talked myself out of. The big ones are obvious, but don’t underestimate the small ones either, offering to help on a project, asking the right question in a room full of people who seem more experienced than you. Those moments add up. Opportunity in engineering rarely announces itself loudly; often it just looks like someone willing to step forward.”
Driving Innovation, Shaping Sustainability
That mindset makes Thea a perfect example of this year’s Engineering Intelligence theme, using knowledge, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas to drive meaningful change.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate not only Thea and the inspiring role she plays within Solarport but also all the amazing women across the industry who continue to drive innovation, challenge boundaries, and help shape a more sustainable future.