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When design engineers at technology firm Dyson get “frustrated by products that don’t work properly,” they don’t sit around and mope; they do something about it. That’s according to company founder and inventor James Dyson.
On the English company’s site, he says their engineers solve problems by inventing and developing products, just like he did when he introduced a bagless vacuum cleaner in 1993.
Yvonne Piamonte“Innovation is part of the culture,” says Dyson System Integration Engineer Yvonne Piamonte. “We go beyond improving existing products. There’s an appreciation for engineering. Dyson is a company that constantly challenges conventional designs. We really push the boundaries. There are things that would seem so small that will make you wonder if the consumers are even going to notice the improvement. The attention to detail separates Dyson from other technology companies. It's what we put into the development that makes our products stand out.”
In the past three years, Yvonne transitioned from being a design engineer to her current role. “I ensure that Dyson's beauty machines function seamlessly,” she explains to this writer in an exclusive interview. “I am in charge of integrating the hardware and software components. My role also ensures that we have met all requirements and mitigated all risks and problems. We make sure that our devices deliver the best user experience while maintaining Dyson's high standards.”
Claire PascualDyson’s New Product Development Engineer Claire Pascual adds that their products are shaped by different perspectives. When she joined three years ago, she was given the “freedom to experiment on new methods and ideas,” she says. “Something unique to Dyson is that failure is not seen as a waste of time and effort. It’s an opportunity to learn, which is so critical when we're designing in new spaces. You can't really know everything right away, and one way to learn is to fail —to try new stuff.”
She, Yvonne, and the rest of the women in Dyson bring in a “mindset of diversity,” according to Claire. Everyone is empowered to develop revolutionary beauty products, regardless of gender or background. Collaboration and mentorship are integral parts of its work environment.
“We have women with different leadership styles,” Claire insists. “I can find experts to consult with. And since problems are unique each time, I usually cycle through asking each one. It's been a great support system for me.”
Yvonne adds that every idea is valued with Dyson’s “inclusive and merit-based culture. There's no bias when it comes to work. I've seen a lot of impressive women go up the ranks, and their leadership and expertise show up for it. The work environment is fast-paced. I think that leads us to quicker innovation and continuous learning. It's empowering to be surrounded by these high performers who are so good at what they do.” The engineer is part of the Philippine team that developed the Dyson Supersonic – claimed to dry hair faster than any other dryer, while protecting hair from damage.
For Claire, the development of Dyson’s Airstrait straightener is one of her career milestones. “It’s where I transitioned from a college graduate to a design engineer. My responsibilities quickly escalated. The product is specifically made for the type of hair I have and for my needs. Seven years of research went into perfecting what we need in the Asian market. We relied heavily on our Philippine team to step up.”
The engineers say that research and user data analysis are accelerated by Dyson from different platforms, including the myDyson app where customers can share their product experiences. “Dyson products are tailored to human needs,” Yvonne emphasizes. “Getting user feedback helps us adhere to that vision. And right now, there's still some exploration (on artificial intelligence) within Dyson. Innovation across those categories certainly uses AI to the fullest of its potential, not to replace the innovative and critical thinking of the engineers, but to streamline processes and help us release products as early as we can.”
Yvonne advises upcoming engineers to immerse themselves in the field. “Find that niche or specific interest you’re passionate about. Dyson is making women in engineering more visible and more accessible. Maybe at some point we can further blur the line and women in engineering won't be as unusual.”
With all the possibilities in technology, Claire invites female engineers and specialists to be part of its evolution. “It does not make sense for us not to be involved,” she stresses. “It's a missed opportunity for innovation to confine new product development to just one perspective or one type of person. There is always something to improve on. And if that means entering a field where you don’t see many women alongside you, then that’s what it takes. We must be the ones to step in and make those changes.”
