Published 23 Jun 2022
Today is Women in Engineering Day and that is why we interviewed Hengameh Hanaei, Process Engineer at Aspen API. Hengameh has been with Aspen API for about a year and she explains all about her role has a Process Engineer, her drive and why she and Aspen API are such a good fit.
Just act fearlessly
“As a Process Engineer, I’m responsible for controlling and assessing existing processes and workflows. I am also responsible for process optimization and design calculation, for the further development of continuous improvement processes. Safety is of the highest priority, and this is extremely important at a process company like Aspen API since we work with high-risk materials, processes, and installations,” Hengameh explains.
“I am also responsible for the technical calculations for these processes while checking all requirements, such as safety, sustainability, and reliability. Once everything has been checked and approved, the process and/or the improvements can be implemented.
Preparing the System Requirement Specifications and writing commissioning protocols, for instance for new products, processes and new buildings are other challenges that I like. This is required before starting new processes, but also when we need to demolish an old building or when we are discontinuing a process.
I grew up in Iran and in my time, it was very common for women to go to ‘technical’ universities. I was good at math. And, since my father is a medical lab technologist, I truly enjoyed working in a medical laboratory and GMP environment. Therefore, it made a lot of sense for me to study chemical engineering, as this encompasses both fields.
I’ve been with Aspen API over a year now. With my education in engineering and my work experience in the laboratory, everything came together here. I enjoy working in this dynamic environment. On one hand, I’m improving the processes and by doing so, I’m helping Aspen API. At the same time, I’m learning a lot, developing my knowledge, which is very important to me.
As a female engineer, you can bring total fresh eyes and attitude to the industry. Look at issues in a different way and think out of the box when traditional solutions are simply outdated. Truly, you can succeed in any engineering field, in my case process engineering, despite your gender. Just act fearlessly.”
