“A fresh perspective from outside machine building”

Christina Blatt - Project engineer at GEA Aseptomag

Christina, tell us about your role and your journey at GEA.

“I’m a project engineer at GEA Aseptomag in Kirchberg, Switzerland. My background is in food technology, not mechanical engineering, but my role bridges the two worlds. I connect mechanical engineers’ expertise with customer requirements, automation, and project scheduling. I also lead internal innovation projects, translating technical insights into practical solutions. I joined GEA four years ago as the first and only person in my position, and I think they hired me because I bring a fresh perspective from outside machine building.”

You grew up around craftsmanship. How did that help you integrate into your team?

“Both my parents fixed a lot themselves, and I spent much time helping them. That experience gave me a hands-on technical mindset, which proved crucial in my working environment. The eight male colleagues from my core team accepted me right away. But on the shop floor, I had to prove myself. Once they saw that I could hold a wrench correctly and knew how to use it, I was fully accepted.”

Have you ever felt that being a woman changed how you’re perceived in your job?

“Not really. My customers, suppliers, and stakeholders are mostly from Central Europe, and I’ve never felt treated differently because of my gender. But I do think women often bring a different approach to leadership and teamwork.”

How do you approach things differently?

“I like to create space for human connection. You can put two brilliant engineers in a room, but if they don’t trust each other, they won’t create anything great. I believe in letting people get to know each other, understand each other’s humor, and feel comfortable collaborating. That’s why I introduced a team charter outlining how we communicate – things like responding to emails, turning on cameras in meetings, and raising hands when speaking. At first, my male colleagues were skeptical, but they started using it in their own teams. Great!”

What would you love to change for women in the workplace?

“The hiring process still carries gender bias. Questions like: ‘What if she wants kids? Can she work full-time?’ are never asked of male candidates. We need to move past that and recognize the advantages of having women on a team. Women often create an open environment where all voices are heard, and they’re more likely to acknowledge risks and group dynamics that others might overlook.”

How do you see your future?

“Personally, I feel lucky. As a German self-dependent woman living in Switzerland, I can go anywhere, do anything, and work with great people. But globally, I’m worried. We’ve had stability for years, but I fear it’s eroding, especially for people in vulnerable situations – not only women. My role at GEA allows me to shape innovation and collaboration, but I also hope to be part of a broader movement for change, ensuring that anyone can enter and thrive in technical fields.”