London, U.K. – June 2026: – John Crane, a global leader in flow control technologies and a business of Smiths Group plc, is marking International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026 by celebrating the career journey of Sook Won Moon, Vice President of Engineering Solutions, while encouraging more women to consider careers in engineering.
This year’s theme, Engineering Intelligence, recognises the creativity, expertise and problem-solving skills engineers bring to tackling some of the world’s most complex industrial challenges.
The awareness day comes at a time when women remain underrepresented across the engineering profession globally. According to UNESCO, women account for just 28% of engineering graduates worldwide and only 35% of STEM graduates overall, highlighting the continued need to attract more women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.
Sook Won joined John Crane in 1997 as an Applications Engineer and has spent almost three decades helping customers solve technical challenges while progressing through a range of technical and leadership positions. Today, she leads global engineering teams focused on developing solutions that help customers improve operational performance, reliability and sustainability.
Commenting on this year’s theme, Sook Won said: “Engineering Intelligence is about much more than technology. It is about curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving and the ability to turn complex challenges into practical solutions.
Engineers today are helping organisations improve efficiency, reduce emissions, conserve resources and adopt new technologies as the industry continues to evolve through digitalisation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. The opportunities for engineers have never been greater.
To fully realise its potential, it is important that the engineering profession reflects a broad diversity of perspectives and experiences. This includes creating more opportunities for young women, while continuing to challenge perceptions of what engineering looks like and ensuring all young people can see the exciting and varied careers available to them.
Engineering offers the opportunities to make a real impact. Whether developing new technologies, supporting the energy transition or helping customers solve critical operational challenges, it is a profession that combines technical expertise with creativity and innovation. I would encourage anyone considering a career in engineering to explore the possibilities it can offer.”
Engineering continues to play a critical role in addressing some of society’s biggest challenges, from improving industrial efficiency and reliability to supporting the energy transition, reducing emissions, conserving resources and enabling the adoption of new technologies.
By recognising role models such as Sook Won Moon, John Crane hopes to encourage more women to consider engineering careers and help ensure the profession continues to attract the talent needed to solve the challenges of tomorrow.
About John Crane
John Crane is a global leader in flow control technologies and an innovator in solutions for rotating equipment in the energy and process industries. Our portfolio spans mechanical seals, seal support systems, couplings and filtration systems, supported by advanced service solutions and digital diagnostics. With over 200 service, sales and manufacturing centres across 50 countries, John Crane is an integral pillar of Smiths Group plc, a FTSE 100 industrial technology company dedicated to engineering a better future. Learn more at www.johncrane.com.
Sources
UNESCO – Women account for 28% of engineering graduates globally:
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-challenges-actors-everywhere-close-gender-gap-science
UNESCO – Women make up 35% of STEM graduates worldwide:
https://www.unesco.org/en/gender-equality/education/stem