Women in tech don’t have to fit into existing moulds—they need to own their strengths and lead with impact: Sujatha Mukunthan, Siemens Technology and Services
In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, it takes visionary leadership to stay ahead—not just in innovation, but in impact. Sujatha Mukunthan, Vice President of Research and Predevelopment at Siemens Technology and Services, exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and an unwavering passion for technology. From her early fascination with science sparked by her father, to leading transformative digital twin projects and championing sustainability, Mukunthan’s career is a testament to continuous learning, courageous leadership, and people-centric innovation.
As part of our Women in Leadership series, we explore Sujatha’s inspiring story of evolving leadership, impactful achievements, and her vision for the future of technology. Her insights are a beacon for young women in tech and business, reminding us that success is not just about climbing the ladder—it’s about lifting others as we rise.
Pursuing technology with purpose
Technology has always been in my blood, thanks to my father, who is a physics professor. His passion for science and technology had a deep influence on me. From a young age, I was fascinated by how technology has the power to solve real-world problems. Once I completed my engineering in computer science, I wanted to pursue a niche specialisation and obtain my master’s degree. During my post graduation, I had an incredible opportunity to intern with Siemens R&D. Since then, I have never looked back, I feel I am still equally curious and passionate to learn and innovate in this ever-evolving field.
An evolving journey into leadership
Leadership, for me, wasn’t marked by a single turning point, it evolved gradually. While my passion for technology runs deep, I’ve always been equally drawn to networking, driven by the belief that everyone brings something valuable to the table. This passion for connecting and understanding how we can grow together encouraged me to work in multiple cross-functional teams across different roles and domains. These experiences helped me understand people’s pulse better and enhanced my stakeholder management skills. I truly enjoyed gaining new perspectives and learning from diverse viewpoints.
I have always believed that people create real-world impact, with technology serving as an enabler. Without people, there is only so much technology can achieve. This belief inspired me to take up this leadership role. I feel blessed, as I now work with exceptional researchers every day, striving to realise the true potential of technology.
Leading innovation at STSPL
In the rapidly changing tech landscape, innovation is crucial. With the support of my leadership team, we strive to stay ahead by continuously upskilling and being as dynamic as the industry itself. We also focus on foreseeing future trends and providing platforms for our employees to learn and evolve.
One recent initiative that comes into my mind is how our team drove the engineering transformation at CMTI (Central Manufacturing Technology Institute) on an advanced digital twin approach, which enabled modelling and simulation of the critical machine tool components, resulting in real-time predictions of potential critical failures. This had a positive economic impact on enhancing the productivity and reliability of the factory operations. Additionally, the team is also working on several innovative solutions for CO2 reduction and sustainability. Through projects like these, we ensure to disseminate the technical knowledge to the regional ecosystem.
Turning challenges into strengths
When I started my career, two decades ago, society had a lot of unconscious biases. Over time, the landscape has evolved, and organisations like Siemens have created a fantastic culture for sure, but these challenges taught me valuable lessons. I made sure that I added significant value to my teams, by continuously upskilling myself while delivering what was expected. I feel being aware of my strengths helped me shape my career as well as create a differentiating factor for myself.
Proud achievements
One achievement I am particularly proud of is receiving the CII Awards on Excellence for Women in STEM which recognised the organisation’s efforts to create not just a diverse culture, but also a culture that empowers people with innovation being at the centrepiece. I am also very grateful for receiving the Icon Award from Women in Cloud (WIC) in 2024.
The road ahead
Technologies such as industrial artificial intelligence, digital twin and automation have already started to shape our future. These technologies have the potential to transform industries by enhancing efficiency, enabling predictive maintenance, and creating smarter, more connected systems while making the world more sustainable. At Siemens Technology and Services, we are committed to leveraging these trends to drive innovation and deliver impactful solutions to transform the everyday for everyone.
Inspiring the next generation
My advice to young women is to embrace continuous learning and stay relevant in this fast-paced industry. Women often bring unique qualities such as collaboration, empathy, and holistic thinking to technology development, which can be game-changers for creating user-centric solutions. Diversity in leadership challenges conventional thinking and broadens the scope of innovation, making it more relevant to a wider audience. Additionally, our natural ability to repurpose can help build more sustainable solutions. Don’t try to force-fit yourself into existing moulds; instead, leverage your strengths to make a meaningful impact.
