Her Story
About Lena
Lena Luchenta brings more than 26 years of expertise to her role as senior electrical designer and engineer at Hanwha Q-Cells in California. She began her career working from home on drawings using a shared computer while raising her children, later transitioning from MEP work to solar design and specializing in automation. Lena has set up standards and automation systems for three startup companies, including her current position of seven months and a prior five-year role as senior advisor. She earned an associates degree in forensic science in 2013 and received a presidential award for her academic performance, though she ultimately returned to engineering. Lena also completed a Siemens graduation program and began but did not finish an AutoCAD credential. She attributes her success to thorough learning and a focus on helping others through automation, and she advises staying ahead of schedules on large solar projects while encouraging young women in the field to know their worth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lena
01What do you attribute your success to?
It was learning from that first round, taking the computer back and forth, doing drawings, making sure you learned everything you could. Then once you finish with that, you need to start looking bigger, at what you can automate and help other people figure it out.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Even though you have to work hard and late hours, it's gonna pay off at the end. Stay ahead of the schedule. For solar sites with deadlines, make sure you're in 2 weeks before they're due. I try to teach my peers the same thing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
This field is tricky but changing. When I started, women were treated differently in pay and everything. Hold your ground, you're a woman, stick your ground, know what your worth is. If we're doing better, why are we being paid less?
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Teaching the younger kids what to do and getting them cleared, like snap with it. Automation is a big challenge too - once you're finished with one part, you've got to think higher and bigger than that.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
If you did something wrong in the drawings, admit to it. Make sure you get the job done and give it your best. Reach out for help rather than spending hours figuring it out alone - I'd rather take time to help you than you go spend hours trying to figure it out on your own.
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