Engineering Safety, Shaping Futures: Precy’s Journey Through Firestop Engineering at Hilti

Written by the Hilti GB/Northern Europe employer brand team – sharing real stories and insights into life, culture and careers at Hilti.

 

When Precy looks back at her career, she sees a path shaped by curiosity, courage, and a commitment to making construction safer. Long before joining Hilti, she was already immersed in the construction field – first as a design engineer for a Japanese steel fabrication company, and later as a project engineer in Kuwait, where she had her first encounter with Hilti products. One of them left a lasting impression. “It was one of the best,” she remembers thinking. “Hilti must be a good company.”

She didn’t know it yet, but that moment would plant the seed for the next chapter of her career.

 

From global projects to a new challenge

Precy started her Hilti journey in the Middle East. At that time, she was completing a complex project in Dubai at another company and felt ready for something new. When a recruitment agency reached out with an opportunity at Hilti, she decided to explore it. What followed was a thorough process – five interviews and two ride‑alongs – each conversation deepening her excitement. When she was offered the role, she knew it was the right move and became a national specification engineer.

“I’m really thankful they gave me the chance,” she says.

Today, she works in Hilti Great Britain’s Engineering Competence Centre (ECC) as a lead firestop engineer, supporting some of the most complex firestop engineering challenges in the market. Her team handles sophisticated cases that can’t always be covered by standard testing, designing safe, practical solutions that keep people protected.

Breaking misconceptions – especially for women in construction

Starting in engineering nearly two decades ago, Precy saw first‑hand how few women were represented in the field. But she also witnessed a slow and steady shift – women stepping into technical roles, providing inspiration, and reshaping old assumptions.

One misconception she still encounters is around firestopping: 

People sometimes think it’s just sealant. But firestopping is deeply technical. It involves engineering, testing, innovation, and real attention to detail.

Her work helps raise awareness across architects, designers, and contractors that firestop engineering is a critical part of life‑safety strategy – something far more complex than many realise.

 

Firestop engineering: protecting People, one detail at a time

For Precy, the impact of her work is clear: safety.

Firestopping isn’t just a product; it’s a system that ensures fires can be contained long enough for people to escape and for buildings to remain structurally resilient. Her team’s solutions draw on testing evidence, regulations, engineering best practice, and years of hands‑on experience.

“It’s about making sure the design works, the product works, and that it’s actually doable on site,” she explains. “Safety is always the key topic.”

 

Growing expertise through global knowledge and continuous learning

One of the things Precy appreciates most at Hilti is the learning culture woven into the company’s DNA – something that aligns perfectly with her own mindset.

Hilti really supports engineering growth, No two days are the same. We face real challenges, complex projects, and we always have access to global experts.

Training on building standards, fire tests, innovations, and technology is part of everyday life in the ECC. She describes a culture of mentorship and shared knowledge, with colleagues of all ages – from early‑career engineers to Hilti veterans with decades of experience.

Two mentors stand out: Alistair, who supported her early journey, and Sunil, whose 17 years of expertise has been invaluable. “I’m thankful for the knowledge they shared – it helped me broaden my thinking and grow.”

Why she stays: a culture designed for growth

For Precy, Hilti is a place where her strengths are recognised and her ambitions supported.

Whether it’s leadership programmes, technical training, or opportunities across countries, she feels encouraged to challenge herself and shape a long‑term career.

“I’ve worked in the Middle East and now in Britain. Hilti shows you that you can grow anywhere.”

 

Belonging through community: her role in employee resource groups

Precy is also an active member of the Gender OwnIt! community, Hilti’s take on employee resource groups. She’s passionate about diversity and inclusion, and for her, the group provides a meaningful platform to connect, share perspectives, and elevate topics that matter to people – not just as employees, but as humans.

She values the sense of voice and representation it brings: “With so many employees, everyone has something to say – it’s good to be heard.”

 

Why representation in construction matters

Working in a sector that shapes the built environment, Precy believes representation is essential.

Construction is filled with people of different genders, cultural backgrounds, and experiences – and she sees diversity as the key to stronger collaboration, innovation, and problem‑solving.

It also signals to young people that engineering is a space where they belong.

Representation shapes the future. It shows others there is a path for them.

 

Her advice to young women considering construction or engineering

Precy ends with advice shaped by her own journey:

• Build a strong foundation – knowledge is power.
• Stay curious and keep learning.
• Don’t be afraid of challenges.
• Seek mentors and allies – people who will guide, support, and champion you.
• Don’t aim for perfection – aim for expertise.

Her story is a powerful reminder of what happens when technical brilliance meets purpose – and how engineering can make the world safer, one detail at a time.

 

Inspired by Precy’s journey in firestop engineering and her passion for making construction safer?

Explore the opportunities waiting for you and take your next step by applying through our Hilti careers website.