Charlotte Dunn is a Systems Integration Engineer in the Transport team, where she works on requirements management and compliance for key programs such as project Alaska. She also supports operations, manufacturing, and engineering at Cramlington on various tasks, including skills training, electrical design, quality support and inspection, and manufacturing processes for some of our products.

Inspiration to become an engineer

“I have always been interested in this type of work. From a young age, I was very hands-on and loved to get involved with building and making things,” said Charlotte.
Her curiosity and drive led her to explore potential careers, and she found engineering the most compelling path. Charlotte took the initiative to enroll in an engineering college course after completing secondary school. Determined to gain practical experience alongside her studies, she secured an apprenticeship at AVID in February 2015, where she worked diligently while pursuing her degree part-time.

Why she chose to work at Turntide

“I chose AVID as the work was exciting and involved both practical and theoretical tasks meaning I could gain knowledge and experience from the design phase all the way through to manufacture,” said Charlotte, who is still enthusiastic after spending over eight years with Avid and Turntide.

What she enjoys about working at Turntide

What Charlotte appreciates most about working at Turntide is the people. At Cramlington, she experiences a cohesive team environment where everyone collaborates to achieve the company’s goals, regardless of their job roles or assignments. This sense of unity and collective effort fosters a positive work culture and fuels innovation within the organization.

Personal and professional growth opportunities at Turntide

Charlotte has had several opportunities to grow both personally and professionally during her time at Turntide. Most notably, the company funded her degree, allowing her to enhance her engineering skills and knowledge while gaining valuable working experience. This support has empowered her to develop her expertise and excel in her field.

Advice for young women considering a STEM career

Charlotte advises women interested in an engineering career to seek out a support system and never be discouraged by the attitudes and actions of those who cling to outdated beliefs. “I have been unfortunate enough to be exposed to prejudice and discrimination by a small number of people in the industry, but for every one of those people, there are 100 others that see you and treat you as the equal you are and will support you and help you grow and progress.”

Why it’s important for more women to enter the field

For Charlotte, it’s crucial to not only encourage more women to enter the field, but also to challenge stereotypes and prejudices within STEM sectors to foster inclusivity. She believes that everyone, regardless of identity, race, or sexual orientation, should be able to pursue any field without discrimination. Charlotte feels strongly about continuing the dialogue on creating more inclusive and accepting environments for minorities within engineering and other STEM careers.