Introduction
For International Women in Engineering Day 2026, Soluroc is highlighting Sarah Teng, Sales Strategy Analyst at Soluroc.
With a background in mechanical engineering, technical sales, wear solutions, piping, CAD, project management, and data analysis, Sarah’s career reflects this year’s INWED theme: Engineering Intelligence.
At Soluroc, engineering intelligence is not limited to calculations or drawings. It is the ability to understand real operating conditions, connect technical information to customer needs, and turn complex data into better business and engineering decisions.
Interview:
1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and your current role at Soluroc?
I’m Sarah Teng, currently working as a Sales Strategy Analyst at Soluroc. My role sits at the intersection of sales, technical knowledge and data. I support the team by structuring data, improve reporting, analyze opportunities and translate technical and commercial data into insights that can support better decisions.
2. What originally led you toward engineering?
I was drawn to engineering because it combines problem-solving, structure and practical impact. Engineering is all about taking a complex situation, breaking it down into simple components and work towards a solution that functions in the real world.
I’ve always appreciated that engineering is not only theoretical. Whether it’s a drawing, a material selection, a piping isometric, or a wear solution, the work eventually has to perform under real conditions.
3. This year’s International Women in Engineering Day theme is “Engineering Intelligence.” What does that mean to you?
To me, engineering has always been about information and data. Engineering intelligence would refer to making informed decisions based on facts.
In industries like mining, steel, piping and heavy equipment, there is rarely a one size fits all. You have to understand the operating environment, the customer’s constraints, the material behaviour, the production process and the long-term impact of the decision.
Engineering intelligence is also knowing how to ask the right questions, connect information from different teams and make decisions that are practical, measurable and useful.
4. Your career has moved across engineering, technical sales, wear solutions, and now sales strategy. How do these experiences connect?
They connect more than people might think.
In engineering and technical sales, you learn to understand the customer’s problem, assess the requirements and propose a solution that makes sense.
In sales strategy, I use that same problem-solving mindset but the system I’m analyzing is different. Instead of looking at a mechanical component or a project, I’m looking at sales processes, customer data, reporting, market opportunities and how information flows across the organization.
The engineering mindset remains: define the problem, understand the constraints, identify patterns and improve the outcome.
5. What part of your engineering background is most useful in your current role?
The ability to organize complex information and look for root causes is probably the most useful part.
Engineering trains you to be precise but practical. In my current role, that helps when working with sales data, customer information, reporting tools, or process improvements. It’s not just about creating a dashboard or a report. It’s about making sure that people can find meaningful answers for proper decision-making.
6. You have worked with wear solutions and material selection. What makes this type of engineering work interesting?
When I first started in this field I found it to be very niche. Wear solutions are interesting because the conditions are very specific to each application. The same material or product does not automatically apply everywhere.
You have to consider the type of wear, the material being handled, the process flow, installation constraints, and maintenance expectations. A good solution is all about finding the right balance between expectations and reality.
That is what makes the work challenging but also rewarding. When the right solution is selected and implemented properly, it can improve reliability, reduce downtime and support better operating performance.
7. How does data support better sales and engineering decisions?
Data helps teams move from assumptions and feelings to evidence.
In sales and engineering, there is a lot of knowledge in people’s experience but that knowledge becomes more powerful when it is supported by structured data. Good data can help identify trends, prioritize opportunities, improve forecasting and understand where the team should focus.
The goal is not to replace human judgement. The goal is to give people better information so they can make stronger decisions.
8. What do you think companies can do to support more women in engineering and technical careers?
Companies can support women in engineering by creating environments where technical contribution is recognized, growth paths are clear, and people are trusted with meaningful responsibilities.
Representation matters, but it also needs to be connected to real opportunities: project ownership, mentorship, visibility, and the chance to contribute to important decisions.
It is also important to show that engineering careers can take many forms. Not every engineering career follows the same path. Some people move into design, project management, technical sales, operations, leadership, or strategy. Those paths are all valuable.
9. What advice would you give to young women considering engineering?
I would say: stay curious and do not assume that you need to have everything figured out at the beginning.
Engineering can open many doors. The skills you develop: problem-solving, analytical thinking, communication, project management, and technical knowledge, can be applied in many different roles and industries.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. When you’re unsure about something, it’s better to ask and get the right answers than to make the wrong assumptions.
10. What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I’m proud of projects where I was able to connect technical work with practical results.
That includes developing tools that improve response times, supporting material selection decisions, working on design improvements, and helping teams make better use of information.
For me, the most rewarding work is when a solution comes to fruition, and it helps people work more efficiently.
11. How would you describe Soluroc’s engineering culture from your perspective?
Soluroc encourages us to be creative but practical. The problems we help solve are connected to real equipment, real wear conditions and real operational challenges.
This creates an environment where engineering, sales, manufacturing and field experience cooperate. A good solution depends on more than one perspective.
That collaboration is important because wear problems are rarely one-dimensional. They require technical knowledge, customer understanding and the ability to adapt.
12. What does “engineering intelligence” look like in Soluroc’s day-to-day work?
At Soluroc, engineering intelligence means understanding the customer’s application, choosing the right technology, and making sure the solution can be manufactured, installed, and supported properly.
It also means learning from past projects, improving our processes, and using data more effectively.
In the end, engineering intelligence is about making better decisions — technically, commercially, and operationally.
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On International Women in Engineering Day, Soluroc recognizes the contribution of women engineers and technical professionals who help move industries forward.
Sarah’s career is a reminder that engineering intelligence can take many forms: design, material selection, field problem-solving, technical sales, data analysis, and business strategy.
As the engineering profession continues working toward stronger representation, we are proud to highlight the people helping connect technical knowledge with practical industrial impact.