Saide Tutku Yilmaz - Discipline Engineer bij Van Oord (ENG)
Hier vertellen vrouwen uit de maritieme sector hun verhaal. Met nu de beurt aan Saide Tutku Yilmaz. Haar verhaal is in het Engels.
What do you do for work?
I am originally from Istanbul and moved to Rotterdam one year ago, specifically for my current job. I am a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, currently working at Van Oord as a Discipline Engineer. My passion started in high school when I watched the movie Titanic. While I was saddened by the tragedy, I became fascinated by how such a massive vessel was designed and built. That was the moment I decided to become a naval architect. Later, I studied at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), the top-rated university in Turkey for naval architecture.
Does being a woman play a role in your work?
Yes, being a woman definitely plays a role in my work. In a male-dominated industry, I often feel the need to prove myself. More than my male colleagues. Acceptance is not automatic, and this is sometimes challenging. However, these experiences also made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined in my career. I believe women bring unique perspectives and add diversity that enriches the maritime world. Tips: trust yourself, speak up, and don’t be afraid to take space.
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy working on international projects, creating solutions, and seeing how our work turns into something tangible, a real vessel. It is highly rewarding to witness the direct results of engineering.
Sometimes I think back to my teenage years, watching the movie Titanic. While others focused on the love story, I couldn’t stop wondering how such a massive ship was designed and built. Even though the ending was tragic, it sparked a dream in me, and I wanted to become a naval architect. Years later, working for an international company for various projects here in Rotterdam, I sometimes realise, this is exactly where that dream has led me. It feels surreal and very rewarding to see how a childhood spark turned into my life’s work.
In a male-dominated industry, I often feel the need to prove myself
