Today, as we celebrate World Engineering Day, the global community is focused on “Smart Engineering.” But what does “smart” actually mean in 2026? Does it just mean faster processors and more complex algorithms?

In our latest STREAM IT interview, three remarkable women – Eszter Varga, Gabriela Filip, and Saga Úlfarsdóttir – remind us that smart engineering isn’t just about the digital tools we use; it’s about the diverse perspectives, human empathy, and authentic leadership we bring to the table.

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Our panel brings together voices from the STREAM IT project Ambassadors across the engineering community:

• 𝗘𝘀𝘇𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮 (Hungary): A Eurospace Safety Engineer and NASA-trained researcher. From wind tunnels to rocket safety, she proves you don’t have to fit a mold – or hide your personality – to reach the stars.
• 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽 (Sweden): IT Senior Manager at Carlsberg Group and digital transformation expert. She bridges the gap between complex engineering theory and the “ambiguous” reality of global supply chains.
• 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗨𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗿 (Iceland): Independent AI Advisor and data science specialist. A passionate advocate for diversity, Saga is working to ensure the technology of tomorrow is built on more than just male-dominated data.

Eszter Varga, a Eurospace Safety Engineer, is turning the “rigid” rocket scientist stereotype on its head. From navigating NASA-affiliated wind tunnels to securing complex aerospace systems, Eszter argues that your personality is actually a bridge to better innovation.

“Don’t hide your personality to fit a conservative mold. I use my authentic, colourful self as a bridge for communication – because in aerospace safety, being able to connect and innovate is just as important as the technical data.” – Eszter Varga

In the world of digital transformation, Gabriela Filip (IT Senior Manager at Carlsberg Group) highlights the essential transition from classroom formulas to the “ambiguous” reality of global supply chains. Smart engineering requires “connecting the dots” between technology and human business needs.

“The true spark of innovation happens when you connect the dots between different disciplines. My journey taught me to move beyond just proving technical competence to becoming a leader who prioritises coaching, empathy, and bold curiosity.” – Gabriela Filip

As we lean further into digitalisation, the ethical stakes of AI have never been higher. Saga Úlfarsdóttir, an AI advisor and data science expert, warns that the technology of tomorrow cannot be built on the “blind spots” of today.

“Diverse voices are scientifically proven to create better solutions. In AI, diversity isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it is a technical necessity to ensure we aren’t building the biases of the past into the systems of our future.” – Saga Úlfarsdóttir

World Engineering Day is a reminder that engineers are the architects of our future. But as Eszter, Gabriela, and Saga prove, that future will only be sustainable if it is inclusive. Innovation is sparked when we break the mold, challenge the status quo, and remember that behind every digital solution is a human story.

🎥 Watch the full interview to hear more about our Ambassadors’ journeys towards redefining what it means to be a woman in engineering today.

F6S Innovation

Melissa Tang, Communication Manager at F6S Innovation, plays a pivotal role in various EU-funded initiative. Her expertise, built on a foundation of a BA in Design and Advertising and a Master’s in Communication and Media Studies, is further strengthened by hands-on experience leading communication, dissemination and exploitation efforts in over 15 research and business projects.