International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the achievements of women across the industry, while encouraging more people to consider the diverse and rewarding careers engineering can offer.
At STR, we’re proud to recognise the women whose expertise, dedication and collaboration help drive our business forward. One of those women is Shani Perdicou, Group Senior Technical Compliance Engineer, whose career has taken her from the Royal Navy to offshore engineering and now to supporting technical compliance across STR’s global operations. Alongside her role, Shani is also a parent to twins, balancing a busy family life with a varied and rewarding engineering career.
We spoke to Shani about her career journey, what inspires her most about engineering and her advice for the next generation.
Tell us about your career journey
“I have worked in the offshore industry since 2003, starting my career in the Royal Navy before moving into the oil and gas sector as an Offshore Geophysical Engineer.
“The knowledge and experience I gained in those roles helped shape the career I have today. Working in challenging offshore environments taught me the importance of reliability, technical accuracy and attention to detail – skills that continue to play an important role in my work.
“I joined STR in November 2019 and now work as Group Senior Technical Compliance Engineer, supporting employees and clients across all regions of the business.”
What does your role involve?
“My role is incredibly varied, which is one of the things I enjoy most about it. Day-to-day activities can change depending on company priorities and client requirements, but having a structured way of working allows me to manage multiple projects and responsibilities effectively.
“I work closely with teams across STR, as well as external clients, to oversee technical reports, equipment servicing and repairs, calibrations, asset management and quality control processes.
“No two days are the same, but every task contributes to ensuring our clients receive reliable equipment and a high-quality service.”
What skills are most important in your role?
“Organisation and attention to detail are probably the most important skills. Many of the projects I manage involve multiple stakeholders and technical processes, so staying organised is essential.
“Problem solving is also a big part of the job, whether that involves analysing repair findings, managing project timelines or coordinating different teams. Communication is equally important because engineering relies on people working together to achieve the best outcomes.”
What do you enjoy most about engineering?
“I enjoy the variety. Every day presents a different challenge and there is always something new to learn.
“I also enjoy working with people across different departments and regions, bringing together different areas of expertise to achieve a common goal. Seeing a project successfully completed and knowing you have helped deliver a positive outcome for both the business and the client is always rewarding.”
What advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering?
“Go for it! Engineering offers so many different opportunities and career paths. It is a field where you can continue learning, developing new skills and taking on fresh challenges throughout your career.
“My own journey has taken me from the Royal Navy to offshore engineering and now into a global technical compliance role, which shows just how varied and rewarding a career in engineering can be.”
Beyond the role
“Outside of work, I am a parent to twins who keep me busy with their football and artistic roller skating activities. Balancing work and family life is never easy, but the flexibility that STR provides makes it much more manageable, allowing me to be present both at work and at home.”
International Women in Engineering Day is an opportunity to recognise the talented women helping shape the future of the profession and inspire the next generation of engineers.
At STR, team members like Shani play a vital role in delivering the expertise, collaboration and attention to detail that clients rely on every day, helping us continue to deliver quality, confidence and impact across our global operations.
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