SME Membership Blogs

SME’s Women of SMART Virtual Experience, happening June 3, 2025, is a half-day event designed to celebrate and empower women who are stepping into these roles and shaping the future of smart manufacturing.

Tara Thomasson, a technical fellow at Lockheed Martin and SME Member Council representative, brings a unique lens to the evolving world of manufacturing. Drawing from her industry experience and leadership perspective, she explores the skills and mindsets that professionals will need to navigate the next wave of transformation.

A new generation of innovators is driving a powerful transformation in the manufacturing industry, one fueled by fresh ideas, cutting-edge technologies and an unwavering passion for progress.

SME Membership is introducing a new avenue for member engagement and thought leadership with the launch of its first SME Corporate Member Sponsored Webinar.

I began my career as an electrical applications engineer for Harman International. In that role, I learned not just how our products were placed into vehicles but why they were packaged into certain locations to create that “perfect sound."

When we think about engineering and manufacturing, it’s easy to envision complex machines, technical jargon, and strict processes. But behind every breakthrough in these fields are the people driving innovation, diversity, and change.