AWE Defence Industry Early Careers Engineering prize-winner announced

In partnership with the Worshipful Company of Engineers and Engineers Trust, AWE is proud to announce Catherine Smith of Reliance Precision Limited as 2025 winner of the Defence Industry Early Careers Engineering Prize.

(L-R) Duncan Taylor, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC); Catherine Smith, Reliance Precision Limited and Prize Winner; Giles Hartill, AWE Chief Technologist; Graham Lockwood, Reliance Precision Ltd; and Caroline Bull, AWE Engineering External Technical Partnerships Lead (Copyright: MARK ANDREW WITTER)

An apprentice-trained Project Engineer, Catherine was recognised for her impactful work on the NeoSAT stepper motor gearbox project for Airbus Defence and Space, where she improved key processes to reduce lead times and mitigate risk. This project is part of a larger effort to produce space actuators for the Eurostar Neo satellite platform. She was also recognised for her work on Hirth Couplings, which formed part of  her dissertation at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre Sheffield, which enhanced her company’s manufacturing capabilities for missile components, in turn improving product robustness and transport safety.

Catherine was presented with her prize of £1,200 and a framed certificate by AWE Chief Technologist and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers, Giles Hartill MBE.

Catherine said: “I am over the moon to have won the Early Careers in the Defence Industry Award; it was completely unexpected considering the calibre of engineers out there. I’m excited to continue my work within the defence industry as there are so many opportunities to learn new skills.”

Giles said: “Catherine’s ability to lead complex projects and deliver high-impact solutions exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking in engineering that underpins national security and strengthens the UK’s defence capabilities. 

“We saw a record number of applications this year, and the standard of nominations was exceptionally high – making Catherine’s achievement even more impressive. At AWE, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate exceptional talent – and we remain committed to nurturing early careers in STEM, helping to inspire future generations across the defence sector and wider industry.

Our sincere thanks to the Worshipful Company of Engineers and the Engineers Trust for their continued dedication to championing engineering excellence.”

Launched in 2024, the AWE Defence Industry Early Careers Engineering Prize recognises and celebrates early-career engineers driving innovation in defence  and is one of several prestigious awards presented annually by the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Last year’s inaugural winner, James Read of Cranfield University, was honoured for his pioneering research into armour systems, which has been adopted across academia, government, and industry.

Applications for the 2026 prize will open later this year, offering another opportunity to  emerging talent in defence engineering.