Hermine Schnetler- 2013 SPIE Women in Optics Planner
Head of Systems Engineering Group, The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, UK
Country of birth: Republic of South Africa
Educational background: BSc Electronic Engineering; MSc Systems Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa; PhD Software Engineering, Cranfield University, UK
Who or what inspired you to work in science/engineering?
The work of Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci as an artist and engineer.
What are the primary responsibilities of your current job?
I am primarily responsible for defining and specifying the detailed requirements of the instruments and equipment we need to develop. These need to be specified so the instruments will be capable of doing the science required by the UK and European Astronomers. I am also responsible for the overall design of said instruments.
Do you have advice for young women considering a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)?
Working in science and technology is one of the most rewarding careers. This is mainly because you have the opportunity to combine innovation, design and facts to create something that has the ability to change the world!