Linda Cederberg speaking to students about her paper.

"Many people think of methodology and working practices as something incredibly dull – but I find it fun and fascinating."

Linda Cederberg has over two decades of experience within the Saab Group. Her career began in software development, focusing on programming and software modeling. Over the years, she broadened her skill set, taking on roles in hardware, testing and various technical leadership positions.

Three years ago, Linda transitioned to Combitech to expand her expertise further. In her current role as a Systems Engineering Consultant, she is deeply involved in methodology development, creating structured workflows that help engineers meet deadlines and budgets, ultimately contributing to the delivery of well-functioning products.

"I mix creating proposals for better or improved workflows on my own with discussing them with others. I could come up with the world's best method, but if no one wants to use it, it’s useless. The best working method is the one people actually use."

Passion for gender equality in engineering

Linda co-authored a paper titled "The Importance of Being Björn – Experiences from five age cohorts of female systems engineers" which explores the experiences of female systems engineers, focusing on how their opportunities to reach technical leadership roles have evolved over time. The study's findings revealed clear differences in the experiences of female systems engineers depending on their age, with older women having faced significantly more challenges in their careers than younger ones.

Despite her dedication, Linda doesn't see herself as a gender equality activist.

"I'm not running a large gender equality group or anything like that. But I don't see any reason why things shouldn't be equal. We wanted to write a paper about what it's like to be a woman and a systems engineer. There aren't that many of us. We wanted to give them a voice."

The opportunity to grow and develop

Linda emphasizes the importance of professional development and explains that she joined Combitech to broaden her competence. She appreciates that Combitech supports this ambition so that she, even as a senior employee, can continue developing her skills.

"It’s clear that Combitech value professional development and also prioritize work-life balance and truly wanting people to feel comfortable – unlike so many other companies, who often only cares about reaching the development goals."

Linda continues to further explain her passion about gender equality and diversity in engineering. She points out that the social commitment is important, and mentions the work for diversity at Combitech, something that is crucial in order to fulfill their purpose of  shaping a smart and resilient society.

"We all contribute to a future where everyone is valued equally and can make a contribution. The point is that diversity isn’t just about considering men and women; it’s also essential to think about other groups, including individuals with neuropsychiatric diagnoses like ADHD or autism, as well as those from diverse backgrounds."

So, what's ahead for Linda in her career?

"I hope to continue with systems engineering and methodology because I find it incredibly enjoyable. Anything that involves working with methodology and people. I have held some senior technical leadership roles in the past. It's fun, but I'm not seeking a title. That's not what drives me. What matters is what we do, being able to make an impact, to drive change."