Women in CFD with Sheli Yefet

16 May 2024 • 6 minute read

In this edition of the Women in CFD series, we are excited to spotlight Sheli Yefet, senior application engineer for the Reality DC Design product at Cadence. Sheli's journey in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) began in her university halls, sparking a flame that has grown into a blazing career path. She masterfully juggles her demanding role with her creative passions outside of work. Read the conversation with Sheli to learn how she seamlessly blends the worlds of engineering excellence and artistic endeavor, proving that passion and profession can coexist harmoniously.

Tell us something about yourself.

I was born in Israel but have lived in London since childhood. I have always had a keen interest in math and science, and pursuing engineering as a career was my goal. I completed an integrated master's degree program in Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough University. During my undergraduate project, I worked on designing stents for human arteries, which I found fascinating. To achieve the best results, I simulated the expansion and contraction of arteries using various materials and compared my designs with the existing ones.

For my final master's project, I developed a working model of manufacturing lines. The project aimed to minimize the occurrence of manufacturing line failures by creating a digital twin of the line. This twin would predict future failures and prevent them before they occur by analyzing the data and identifying trends from past failures.

When were you first introduced to the field of CFD?

During my integrated program's first and second years, I studied fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, where I learned the basic principles. We then applied these principles to practical cases using simulation software during the third and fourth years. Additionally, I used CFD in my undergraduate design projects. I believe that my master's program helped me secure my current job. Between my second and third years at university, I spent a year in the industry and interned at two organizations before joining Cadence in September 2022. In my first internship, I worked on a complex design for a digital display in a pilot’s helmet. In the second one, I was part of the building services team, using the basic fluid flow principles to help design ventilation systems for new buildings.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities at Cadence as a senior application engineer, and how different are they from your previous roles?

Sheli's work desk

On a typical day, I work on consultancy projects where I collaborate with customers to simulate internal and external models. This involves identifying stress points, potential risks, and areas for improvement in their designs. In addition, I support customers by answering their questions and providing modeling advice. I also participate in testing new features to be added to the software, providing an engineer's perspective to improve its usability. This role is different from what I have done before because it involves more simulations and optimization of results to suit customer requirements. In contrast, in my previous role, I was more focused on hand calculations and comparing them to set regulatory values.

What was your alternate career path?

I have always been interested in working for the ballistics team in defense. It's my favorite subject, but I am also interested in finance. However, if I weren't looking at technical roles, I would love to open a doggy daycare center or work with animal rescue centers.

Sheli with her dog at the beach.

What is your favorite hobby or activity that you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy spending my free time doing various activities. I often take my dog for a walk to new and exciting places like the beach or near a body of water. Additionally, I go to the gym about four times a week.

While on vacation, I enjoy hiking and climbing mountains to watch the sunrise. I recently took a glass art course and made beautiful bowls and vases. I also took some self-defense classes to learn some new Krav-Maga skills. I am always looking for opportunities to develop new skills and get involved in various activities.

Scenic view from one of Sheli's hiking expeditions.

What are your thoughts about the current men-to-women ratio in technical roles?

I believe there has been some progress in recent years, although not as much as I had hoped. During my time in university, I noticed that only 10% of my courses had women students. Unfortunately, this is due to limited encouragement for women to study subjects like math or physics from a young age. There is a stereotype that "physics is a subject for boys" or seen as "nerdy subjects". However, if you genuinely enjoy these subjects, it's important to break down the gender stereotypes and barriers. Don't limit yourself, and follow your path. I promise you, it's not scary.

Every barrier we overcome, every glass ceiling we shatter, paves the way for the next generation of women engineers.

As a working woman, I think it's an excellent idea to visit schools before young girls choose their GCSE or A-level subjects and encourage them from a young age. When I was in school, all my physics teachers were men, and I didn't see any women in the field until I got to university. Even then, there were only one or two female lecturers. It would be beneficial to see more women in managerial roles and encourage young women to pursue careers in engineering or technical roles. It's important to get young women excited about these subjects and show that they would be appreciated in this field. Women bring their unique capabilities to the table and provide diverse perspectives.

Women have an innate ability to think critically, approach challenges creatively, and collaborate effectively. Therefore, it's important to encourage them to pursue careers in engineering or technical roles. We bring a lot to the table. During my time at university, we had a Women in Engineering society that brought in women from different fields, and we had the opportunity to speak to them. It would be great to see other schools adopting similar models.

Sheli's advice for women planning to start a career in CFD.

Prior experience in CFD and a solid understanding of fluid mechanics are beneficial for pursuing related fields
Proactively applying for jobs and internships provides valuable learning opportunities, even with limited knowledge
Engaging in online courses or summer programs can enhance understanding and keep individuals updated on industry trends
Networking at industry events is crucial for staying informed and meeting professionals in the field

To learn more about Sheli, connect with her on LinkedIn.

At Cadence, our commitment is towards establishing an inclusive workspace where women feel empowered to achieve their professional best. Anchored by our One Cadence—One Team ethos, we take pride in fostering a community where our driven, devoted, and skilled women employees excel, making exceptional contributions to our customers, communities, and one another.

Sheli Yefet's position as a senior application engineer places her at the forefront of innovation, where she has to test software functionalities, communicate with clients to refine their designs, and provide critical insights from an engineer's vantage point regarding the software's usability. For those seeking a challenging career that offers a multifaceted perspective within a specialized domain, check out the job listings at Cadence 'A Great Place For Women to Work' by clicking the button below.

Cadence is committed to building a culture that fosters women in technology. Our internship program and relationships with key universities are critical to our strategy to increase and support women in technology.

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