Women at the helm of sealing design
At the European Sealing Association’s Mechanical Seals Division member EagleBurgmann, Julia Wutte, and Stefanie Kreft are bringing expertise and fresh perspectives to the field of mechanical seals, as Flow discovered.
When you think of mechanical seals – those hidden components that keep machines running safely – the word exciting might not be the first to come to mind. But for Julia Wutte and Stefanie Kreft, two Senior Directors at EagleBurgmann, seals are much more than technical parts. They are daily challenges, opportunities for innovation – and a surprisingly powerful way to shape an entire career.
The two women come from different backgrounds, but share a common drive: curiosity, a love for technology, and the desire to make a difference in an industry that still doesn’t see enough women in leadership roles.
From passion to profession
Julia Wutte’s story starts with a motorcycle. As a teenager, she would spend hours in the garage, redesigning parts and tweaking the frame to fit her ideas. “I always wanted to build things and solve problems,” she said. “That’s how I knew engineering was the right path for me.”
She went on to study mechatronics and trained as an industrial mechanic, gaining hands-on experience from the start. A few years later, she found herself in Japan, working in research and development. This was a time she describes as eye-opening: “It shaped my technical thinking and helped me understand how valuable international collaboration can be.”
Julia has now been with EagleBurgmann since 2010, working in a range of functions and industries. Today, she leads the department for Order Execution Engineering – a role that blends engineering with creativity and leadership.
No two days the same
For Stefanie Kreft, the journey into mechanical seals was more of a surprise. “I studied physics and started out as a lab scientist. Engineering wasn’t part of the plan – not at first,” she said. But when EagleBurgmann started building a new sensor development department, Stefanie saw a perfect match for her expertise.
“Once I joined the team and started learning about seals, I realised how much potential there was,” she added. “You’re constantly learning, solving real problems – and you can directly see the impact of your work.”
As senior directors in their respective departments, both Julia and Stefanie are responsible for leading engineering teams and driving innovation forward. But their days are anything but routine.
“There’s always something new,” said Stefanie. “Some days it’s technical challenges, other days it’s supporting the team, planning projects, or just jumping in where help is needed. I love that variety.” Julia agrees: “Yes, there are meetings and emails, of course. But also technical deep dives, brainstorming sessions, and sometimes real emergencies that need fast solutions. And then there’s the best part – when we can think beyond our own department and make improvements that matter across the company.”
Future trends
That bigger picture is constantly shifting – and both women have their eyes on future trends. “Processes are becoming more efficient, but also more demanding,” Julia explained. “Higher customer demands regarding operating limits – our seals need to meet those challenges. That means a lot of analysis and close work with our customers.”
Stefanie added another layer: digitalisation. “There’s a lot happening with data, digital twins, and monitoring systems. It changes how we design, how we maintain products, and even how we think about their whole life cycle.”
For both engineers, staying curious and open is essential. “You can’t ever think you’ve seen it all,” said Stefanie. “There’s always something new around the corner.”
When asked about the moments that made a lasting impression, their faces light up.
“For me, it was the launch of a new mechanical seal series,” Julia recalled. “I got to present it in different countries, talk to people face-to-face, and really feel the excitement. It was a milestone – not just for the product, but for me personally. It helped me grow.”
Stefanie remembered seeing her first product come to life in a real industrial plant. “It’s hard to describe that feeling,” she said. “You see something you sketched on paper, went through endless tests and reviews with – and suddenly it’s there, working, making a difference. That’s why I love what I do.”
Staying open to the future
Both Julia and Stefanie are passionate about encouraging more women to follow them into engineering.
“Don’t be discouraged if you’re the only woman in the room,” said Stefanie. “If technology excites you, if you love solving problems – there’s a place for you here.”
They also emphasise how important a supportive environment is. “At EagleBurgmann, we have a respectful culture that gives you room to bring in your ideas,” Julia said. “Every woman brings something unique to the table – and we need many different views in our teams.”
But there’s still work to do. “We need more young women to choose STEM careers in the first place,” Julia continued. “That starts in schools and universities – showing what’s possible, making the field more approachable.”
Both women see themselves as part of that mission. “We have to be visible,” said Stefanie. “Talk about our work, be open to questions, and support mentoring programs. The more women see others in these roles, the easier it becomes to imagine themselves there, too.”
Looking ahead, neither of them is trying to map out every detail. “Some of the best opportunities in my career came unexpectedly,” Stefanie said. “I try to stay open-minded – that’s where the growth happens.”
Julia agreed: “I just started my new role in June, and I’m very excited for all the challenges ahead. I can’t wait to see where the journey leads.”
