Fylde aero engineer picks up top award

Sophie Harker receives the Bee Beamont award from Ian Muldowney

The annual Bee Beamont award recognises newly qualified engineers who have made an outstanding contribution to the business in the early stages of their career.

This year the title went to Sophie Harker. Sophie assesses the aerodynamic properties and performance characteristics of future concept military aircraft.

In the past five years she has amassed an impressive list of qualifications and awards including a 2:1 Masters in Mathematics; becoming BAE Systems Technical Graduate of the Year 2016; being awarded Graduate of the Year 2017 by the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA); and featuring in The Telegraph’s Top 50 Women in Engineering in the same year.

Receiving her award Sophie said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised by the company in this way. It’s great to be part of an event that celebrates the great engineering skills we have in the UK and I’ll use this award to help me keep inspiring others.”

A highlight in Sophie’s career to date came during her time on the company graduate scheme when she became the first graduate to undertake an external placement with Reaction Engines, the Oxford-based company which is pioneering the next generation of hypersonic and space access propulsion, and in which BAE Systems has invested – the SABRE – a new aerospace engine class that combines both jet and rocket technologies.

Ian Muldowney, engineering director for BAE Systems Air said: “Sophie’s passion and enthusiasm for the aerospace industry is clear.

"She has achieved so much in such a short space of time and is truly inspirational in her attitude and efforts to inspire others. Her achievements are outstanding.”