This International Women’s Day, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible women shaping the future of precision engineering and medical device manufacturing. At Kirkstall Precision diversity, innovation, and continuous improvement are at the heart of what we do.
As part of our celebrations we sat down with Mufeeda Koyilot, Quality & Regulatory Engineer at Kirkstall Precision, to hear her story. From overcoming gender stereotypes to navigating the complexities of orthopaedic medical device manufacturing, Mufeeda shares her journey and insights on the industry.
From biomedical engineering to precision manufacturing
Mufeeda’s passion for biomedical engineering was ignited at an early age. However, she quickly discovered that gender stereotypes often dictated career paths in her community.
“In my family, all the women pursued medicine or teaching, while the men went into engineering and business. I was always told that engineering was for the guys. But I loved both maths and biology, and I didn’t want to miss out on either.”
Determined to follow her own path, Mufeeda pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, with a specific interest in orthopaedic medical devices.
“I realised that biomedical engineering bridges the gap between healthcare and engineering. Whether it’s developing implants, prosthetics, or innovative surgical tools, this field combines technical precision with real-world medical impact.”
Her drive led her to Kirkstall Precision, a company specialising in high-precision manufacturing for the medical sector.
Why Kirkstall Precision?
When asked why she chose to join Kirkstall, Mufeeda highlights the company’s dynamic growth and commitment to continuous improvement.
“When I joined, Kirkstall Precision was a family-run business, and since then, it has become part of a larger group focused entirely on medical device manufacturing. What’s exciting is that we’re building something. We’re not just following an established process, we’re creating and refining it.”
Beyond the technical side, Mufeeda appreciates the company’s supportive culture.
“The leadership team values innovation. If you have an idea, they listen. Everyone is focused on improving processes, reducing risks, and ensuring compliance, making it a fantastic place to grow professionally.”
The challenges of Medical Device Manufacturing
Mufeeda’s role as a Quality & Regulatory Engineer is crucial to ensuring that Kirkstall Precision’s orthopedic instruments meet strict global regulatory standards.
“Medical device regulations are constantly evolving, whether it’s FDA requirements or the transition from MDD to MDR in Europe or any other regulations around the world. Staying ahead of these changes means continuous learning, networking with industry experts, and adapting to new requirements.”
From supplier quality to raw material compliance, her day-to-day work is fast-paced and demanding.
“Because these products are used in real-life surgical procedures, precision is everything. A single mistake in manufacturing or compliance could have serious consequences for patient safety.”
Women in engineering and breaking Stereotypes
As a woman in precision engineering, Mufeeda has firsthand experience with the gender imbalance in STEM careers.
“When I attended technical workshops during my studies, I was often the only woman in the room. People would question why I was there, or assume I didn’t understand the basics. It was frustrating, but it also motivated me.”
To address this issue, Mufeeda worked with and was the COO of a nonprofit organisation aimed at supporting women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community in STEM.
“We ran coding workshops, hackathons, and peer-learning sessions to create a supportive space where women could learn technology, ask questions and gain confidence without fear of judgment.”
While progress has been made, Mufeeda believes there is still work to do.
“The real question is: Why do we see women graduating in engineering, but not staying in the workforce? Many leave due to childcare responsibilities or a lack of workplace support. We need policies that help retain female talent in technical roles.”
She also challenges the use of gendered job titles that at Kirkstall we do not use but are used at other companies, like “female engineer” or “female CEO.”
“Why do we need to add ‘female’ in front of a title? We don’t say ‘male engineer.’ True equality means seeing professionals for their skills, not their gender.”
Looking to the future
With nearly a year at Kirkstall Precision, Mufeeda reflects on her growth and future ambitions.
“I’ve learned so much about precision manufacturing, supplier quality control, and regulatory compliance. Being on the subcontractor side of medical devices has given me a whole new perspective.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to specialise in emerging technologies like additive manufacturing and 3D bioprinting.
“The future of medical devices is in personalised solution, AI, ML and AR driven smart devices, additive manufacturing, and robotics. I want to be part of that revolution.”
For young women considering a career in engineering or manufacturing, Mufeeda’s advice is simple:
“Ignore the stereotypes. If you love the work, go for it. Surround yourself with mentors, stay curious, and never stop learning.”