Breaking Barriers in Mechanical Design Engineering
Mechanical design and engineering has long been a male-dominated profession, yet its core demands—curiosity, precision, and problem-solving—are qualities that transcend gender. Jill Brotz, a May 2024 graduate of Lakeshore Technical College’s Mechanical Design & Engineering Technology program, has emerged as a compelling example of how diverse perspectives can strengthen the field. “I strongly encourage females to enter this field!” says Brotz, now working as a mechanical design engineer. “Females are definitely underrepresented in Mechanical Design Engineering.”
Brotz, based in Sheboygan, did not initially envision herself in a mechanical career. Entering the program in spring 2022, she faced early challenges with confidence, particularly when comparing herself to peers who had grown up immersed in mechanical work. “I was comparing myself to men who grew up with it. But I’ve learned that there are so many other skills that go into being successful as a design engineer, such as a high attention to detail, a curious mind, and a problem-solving mentality. Learning the ins and outs of mechanical design comes with time, through school and job training,” she explains.
Her interest in mechanical design was sparked while working at a fabrication company, where she observed engineering teams at close range. Seeking career advancement, she consulted with design engineers—some of them Lakeshore alumni—who encouraged her to pursue formal training. This guidance led her to enroll in the program that would ultimately reshape her career trajectory.
Kelly Ryba, an adjunct instructor at Lakeshore, underscores the significance of Brotz’s journey. “Jill is proof of how successful females can be in a field traditionally filled with men. I welcome more females to join me and Jill in this field,” Ryba says.
Brotz’s transition from student to professional accelerated when she joined UNISIG as an intern. The Menomonee Falls-based company designs and manufactures precision drilling machines and systems used globally, serving industries where tolerances and reliability are paramount. Within months, she was offered a full-time position, a decision influenced by her proficiency with design software, her hands-on fabrication background, and her nearing completion of an associate degree. Her Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt certification, earned at Lakeshore, added further value.
While still a student, Brotz was assigned to redesign a specific mechanism. “I was able to improve on the design by making it more cost-effective and easier to manufacture. I also worked closely with our electrical and automation teams to improve the design for their needs. It turned into a more complex project than what was initially planned, but the result was very positive,” she notes. The refinements she introduced are now applicable to similar products, enhancing efficiency across the company’s portfolio.
In April, Ryba toured UNISIG and examined the machine Brotz had redesigned. “Not only was the company impressive in their engineering, manufacturing, and machine building, but for me it was so great to see how Jill has applied the skills she learned at Lakeshore to the significant work she does at UNISIG as a mechanical design engineer,” Ryba remarks.
UNISIG representatives also credited Brotz with playing a key role in bringing the company’s fabrication department in-house, reversing a longstanding practice of outsourcing. “Jill is a terrific example of the top caliber Mechanical Design & Engineering Technology program students Lakeshore is training to satisfy needs in the manufacturing industry,” Ryba adds.
By spring 2024, Brotz was one of only four women enrolled in Lakeshore’s program, underscoring the ongoing gender gap in mechanical design engineering. Her trajectory—from hesitant newcomer to integral contributor in a high-precision manufacturing environment—illustrates the breadth of skills and determination required to excel, and the tangible impact that dedicated professionals can have on complex engineering operations.
