A Human Side of Machines: One Woman’s Path Through Industrial Automation and Advocacy

What draws someone with a degree in international business into the gritty, ever-evolving world of industrial automation? For Nikki Gonzales, director of business development at Weintek USA and the co-founder and co-host of the Automation Ladies podcast, it was the rush of real-world problem-solving, the allure of complex systems and the people behind them that sparked a career pivot—from selling machine vision systems to championing cutting-edge HMI solutions and launching a podcast amplifying underrepresented voices. Her story is one of curiosity turned conviction, where cross-disciplinary passion meets purpose-driven leadership in a field that’s reshaping how the world works.

In this exclusive Q&A with Machine Design, we learn that Gonzales is a problem-solver, sees visibility as a form of mentorship and knows the value of community.

Editor’s note: The following Q&A has been edited for style and clarity.

MD: Tell me about Weintek USA and your role there.

NG: Weintek is one of the few HMI (human machine interface) manufacturers that designs both its hardware and software in-house. That allows us to stay focused on what machine builders actually need: performance, flexibility and long-term reliability, without locking them into a proprietary ecosystem. I joined as director of business development to help expand our presence in the U.S., where we’re still relatively under the radar despite our global reach.

Our HMIs are a strong fit for OEMs who want a modern interface that can scale, from simple operator panels to fully connected, IIoT-enabled machines. Features like MQTT, OPC UA, remote monitoring, CODESYS soft PLC support and HTML5 web access are built in at a price that makes sense for an OEM. This gives machine builders the ability to design smarter machines right from the start, with less cost and fewer integration challenges. My role is to connect with those builders early, understand their architecture and help them get to market faster using tools that are practical for how machines are built today.

MD: What motivated you to start the Automation Ladies podcast, and what do you hope listeners take away from the conversations shared in each episode?

NG: Automation Ladies started as a way to broaden the reach of conversations with women I kept meeting at trade shows and on LinkedIn. My co-host Ali G and I wanted to create a platform that felt real and welcoming, especially to people who don’t come from “typical” engineering backgrounds. We talk about career paths, weird problems, good projects and industry realities. I hope people walk away feeling a little more connected, a little less intimidated and maybe inspired to reach out to someone they heard on the show.

MD: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in industrial automation, and how have you overcome them?

NG: It’s often the subtle stuff—being underestimated, not being the default voice in the room. Early on, I had to get comfortable asserting my technical understanding and not letting other people define what I was “supposed” to know. What’s helped is surrounding myself with people who value substance and collaboration over ego. And honestly, learning to laugh a little and just keep going.

MD: What advice would you give to young women who aspire to enter the engineering, technology or automation fields?

NG: Don’t wait until you feel perfectly qualified. Get your hands on something. Join a project, apply for the job, start a conversation. This field rewards people who show up and figure things out, and that’s not limited to a specific degree or background. Also, look for community; there are more of us than you think.

MD: What trends do you see developing in industrial automation that excite you, particularly those that may engage more women in the field?

NG: The rise of low-code tools, simulation and more user-friendly interfaces is making automation more accessible to people from different disciplines, including more women from software, design or operations. AI is also opening doors to new types of problem-solving roles. I’m hopeful that as the field broadens, so will the range of voices in it.

MD: How important do you think mentorship is in advancing one’s career, and how can women support one another in this space?

NG: Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal to be powerful. I’ve learned the most from people who took the time to explain things or gave me a chance before I had all the answers. As women, I think we can support each other by being visible, being honest and lifting people up when we have the chance. Visibility is a form of mentorship.

MD: In your opinion, how can educational institutions better prepare women for careers in technology?

NG: By showing a wider variety of role models and making room for interdisciplinary paths. Not everyone falls in love with engineering through physics or math. Sometimes it’s through problem-solving, hands-on work or just seeing how something runs. More exposure to real-world applications, and to people who look like them, can help more women see themselves in these careers.

MD: Can you share a moment in your career that you consider a significant milestone? Explain.

NG: Moderating the “Inspired Innovators” track at Hexagon Live (June 16-19, Las Vegas) this year felt like a full-circle moment. I was leading conversations with women I admire deeply, in front of an audience that genuinely wanted to hear their stories. It reminded me why platforms like Automation Ladies matter, and that I have a responsibility to keep pushing them forward.

MD: What are your aspirations for the future, both for yourself and for the Automation Ladies podcast?

NG: For Automation Ladies, I’d love to see it evolve into a broader platform—more live events, more collaborations, maybe even a community hub for people entering the industry. Personally, I want to keep helping companies modernize without losing the heart of what makes industrial automation special. That means connecting the dots between tech, people and purpose, and making sure more voices are heard along the way.

Editor’s Note: Machine Design’s WISE (Workers in Science and Engineering) hub compiles our coverage of workplace issues affecting the engineering field, in addition to contributions from equity seeking groups and subject matter experts within various subdisciplines.