International Women in Engineering Day
Watching HMAS Warramunga sail away after a significant upgrade refit was a ‘pinch-me’ moment for Commander Felicity Petrie.
Leading test and trials team, Commander Petrie helped deliver the Anzac-class anti-ship missile defence program, taking the ship from bare bones to a technologically advanced, combat-ready frigate.
“I still remember standing on the wharf and watching the first ship I saw complete the program sail away,” Commander Petrie said.
“Going from a bare, stripped back ship with all the masts removed and entire systems taken out to having it painted, fitted out, tested, put in the water, crewed up and sailed away to go on a mission – I haven’t done a job before or since where the outcome was so starkly tangible.”
Since joining Navy at 17, the weapons engineer has honed her technical skills through the lifetime of the Anzac-class, witnessed the introduction of the Hobart-class, contributed to the adoption of autonomous capabilities and moved from practical to policy roles.
‘You can leap from waterfront to strategic roles and back again, and to be able to do that within the same organisation is unique.’
She hasn’t ruled out one day returning to the waterfront, given the vast opportunities available.
“The experiences and the opportunities for engineers in the Navy truly are enormous,” Commander Petrie said.
“There is no shortage of options. I’ve enjoyed the dynamic nature of my career hugely. You can leap from waterfront to strategic roles and back again, and to be able to do that within the same organisation is unique.”
Commander Petrie said the rapidly changing nature of the industry, the fast-developing technology and the ambitions set out in the recently released National Defence Strategy presented a perfect storm for engineers wanting to step into the challenges of the future.
“If you’re interested in rapidly changing technology, Navy has got that in spades,” Commander Petrie said.
“Equally, many fundamental technologies are not going away in any hurry. There is huge scope for marine and mechanical engineering, and keeping ships at sea, supporting and upgrading them.
“There are also ample opportunities in the development of new capabilities. Those are really dynamic, valuable and interesting areas to work in.”
While Commander Petrie acknowledged engineering hasn’t been a popular career choice for women in the past, she has seen huge strides in attracting women into STEM roles in recent years. But there is always more that can be done.
“When I was working with the Anzac-class frigates, at one point we had females at every level from the 1-star down to me as a lieutenant commander, and some amazing female technical sailors as well. It was a completely different experience to what I had seen up to that point,” Commander Petrie said.
“I think there is unfortunately still a lot of messaging around STEM subjects being more masculine, and as there are fewer women in these careers, getting that visibility is harder, but it’s a great career choice.
“Engineers are in medicine, science, banking, heritage, environment. There really is something for everyone – we need to get that message out there.”
‘If you’re interested in rapidly changing technology, Navy has got that in spades.’
Taking advantage of the flexibility offered by Defence, she recently moved into a reservist role as Navy liaison to the Australian War Memorial.
Commander Petrie was surprised how much her skills and experience as a weapons engineer helped her tackle the new career.
“I think there is an uncapitalised opportunity to connect technicians and history,” she said.
“I recently did a piece looking into the Second World War gunnery support by HMAS Arunta I.
“Many of the problems they faced then are ones we still face today: ship repair and defects, capability management, refitting to keep up with technology development.
“The technology might be different but some of the problems remain, and we can learn a lot from what has come before us.”
International Women in Engineering Day is on June 23. To mark the day, Commander Petrie and Squadron Leader Kate Yaxley represented the ADF and spoke at an Engineers Australia panel discussion and networking event on June 20.
