Her Story
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bear is an experienced Senior Structural Designer with more than 15 years of expertise in engineering design, shipbuilding, and military vessel programs. Her work focuses on 3D modeling, 2D drafting, structural design, training, procedural development, proposal writing, and project management. Throughout her career, she has contributed to complex engineering initiatives supporting defense and maritime industries, utilizing advanced design platforms including Siemens NX, ShipConstructor, CATIA, AutoCAD, and other CAD/CAM technologies. Known for her technical precision and commitment to continuous improvement, Elizabeth combines engineering expertise with strong leadership and documentation skills to deliver high-quality design solutions.
Originally from Canada, Elizabeth began her professional journey with an interest in legal work, influenced by her father’s career as an attorney and public servant. After relocating to the United States at age 21, she was introduced to the engineering field through family mentorship and quickly discovered a passion for structural design. What began as an entry-level opportunity evolved into a successful long-term career in engineering, where she steadily advanced through increasingly complex design and leadership responsibilities. Her experience includes supporting major military and maritime programs, developing structural design packages, coordinating engineering changes, mentoring team members, and contributing to critical project deliverables.
Elizabeth’s professional philosophy centers on leadership, lifelong learning, and supporting others through knowledge sharing and training. She has earned numerous technical certifications, completed advanced studies in project management and business administration, and continues to expand her expertise through ongoing education in engineering, technology, and emerging fields. A strong advocate for perseverance and professional growth, Elizabeth has built a successful career in a traditionally male-dominated industry while remaining deeply committed to her family, which she credits as her greatest source of support and inspiration. Her combination of technical skill, resilience, and leadership has made her a valued contributor to every organization she has served.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elizabeth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family. My family has always been there for me and they're what I value the most. My dad's always been a really awesome mentor, and my husband's a good mentor too because we help each other all the time. It's definitely a lucky thing to have good family, and they've been instrumental in my career journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to keep your head down and keep on going. That's really what has helped me push through challenges and continue advancing in my career over the past 15 years in this field.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
This is a hard field to get into for women. I literally work in a building with 500 men and only one other woman besides me. It's absolutely a man's world, so push your hardest and absolutely don't give up. Don't be afraid to speak up. That would be my advice for any young woman going into this field, because even older women have a hard time in this field. Women in the engineering field are usually secretary or payroll or things like that - you don't normally get women engineers. So my advice is to push your hardest, don't give up, and don't be afraid to speak up.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are probably when things change. That's always challenging to navigate and adapt to in this industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are definitely my family. That's what I value the most. My family has been my foundation, with my dad being a really awesome mentor and my husband being a good mentor as well. We help each other all the time, and it's definitely a lucky thing to have good family supporting you both professionally and personally.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.