When men make mistakes in their career, it’s seen as a “learning opportunity;” when a woman does the same, it brings her competency into question.
This relates to a phenomenon called the “punishment gap,” which refers to the idea that women and individuals from marginalized populations are criticized more harshly than their white male counterparts when they’ve made mistakes.
That’s why Golnaz Rahmatian was nervous when she first embarked on her engineering career. She knew that if she failed, she might be judged harshly, and this made her afraid to take risks.
But over time, Rahmatian’s confidence grew stronger. As she navigated bias and fought against imposter syndrome in the early stages of her career, she finally found strength in those around her. And now, Rahmatian gets to “work on problems that matter with people who care” as director of quality assurance at Parsec Automation.
“At Parsec, I’ve had the chance to take on visible, impactful work while also influencing quality, security and team dynamics,” she said.
In her current role, Rahmatian feels as though she’s surrounded by opportunities to make an impact, which is something that Hemalatha Amrutha Lingam can relate to. As a staff software engineer at Zeta Global, she gets exposure to cutting-edge projects and collaborates closely with other talented engineers, architects and senior leaders.
While Lingam felt significant pressure to “know it all” at the beginning of her engineering career, she has learned that it’s OK to not have all the answers. She enjoys continuously learning in her role and has had the chance to master key skills, such as leadership.
“Leading a team has given me a sense of purpose beyond myself,” she said. “It’s not just about my success, but about lifting others up and helping the team grow together.”
In honor of Women’s Equality Day, Rahmatian and Lingam caught up with Built In LA to share the challenges they’ve overcome throughout their careers, the support they have found at their current employers and the advice they have for other women in the field who are looking for their next role.
Zeta Global’s AI-powered marketing cloud is designed to help enterprises acquire, grow and retain customers.
Describe your experience as a woman in engineering. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
Being a woman in engineering has been a mix of excitement, growth and constant learning to stay up to date with the latest technology trends in the industry. Early on, I felt a lot of pressure to “know it all,” but over time, I’ve learned to embrace the idea that it’s OK not to have all the answers — and to ask for help when I need it.
Challenges can sometimes bring you down, but those experiences have helped me become more resilient. Leading a team has given me a sense of purpose beyond myself. It’s not just about my success, but about lifting others up and helping the team grow together. Personally, as a working mother, Zeta has been very supportive in terms of remote work, helping me balance work and family responsibilities.
What are your professional goals, and how has Zeta Global enabled you to pursue them? What career growth resources/opportunities are available?
From early in my career, I’ve aspired to grow into an architect — designing scalable systems and making key technical decisions. At Zeta, I’ve had the opportunity to work toward that goal, with strong mentorship from senior architects and exposure to cutting-edge projects. I’ve learned enormously by working closely with other talented engineers, architects and senior leaders who inspire me every day.
Zeta actively supports growth through structured online and in-person courses, training and internal mobility across teams and tech stacks for hands-on learning. Throughout my seven years at Zeta, I’ve always felt that growth opportunities and career paths were equally accessible, regardless of gender. I’ve been encouraged to participate in forums and discussions with the same level of support as anyone else. I was also fortunate to be given the opportunity to relocate internationally to work in Silicon Valley.
“Throughout my seven years at Zeta, I’ve always felt that growth opportunities and career paths were equally accessible, regardless of gender.”
What advice do you have for women in engineering or other technical roles regarding how to identify a company and team that will support their growth and development?
My advice to women in engineering is to look beyond the job description and pay close attention to how the company values people. Does the team encourage diverse perspectives? Are voices heard and contributions recognized, regardless of gender or title?
A company should promote a strong team culture that encourages collaboration over competition and support individuals when they hit roadblocks. Be open to asking questions during interviews about mentorship, growth paths and team dynamics. In the tech industry, where women are still a minority, being in a supportive environment can make all the difference in helping you thrive in your career.
Parsec Automation’s manufacturing operations management software is designed to optimize efficiency, quality and compliance at manufacturing plants.
Describe your experience as a woman in engineering. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
My journey as a woman in engineering has been both rewarding and challenging. Early in my career, I was often the only woman in the room, which came with an unspoken pressure to prove my credibility. I’ve worked on meaningful problems, grown into leadership roles and helped build stronger, more inclusive teams. Along the way, I’ve also navigated bias, imposter syndrome, and the very real concern that failure would be judged more harshly. Like many women, I’ve at times hesitated to take risks, but adopting a growth mindset helped shift my perspective. Challenge became a catalyst for learning, and ambition became something to lean into rather than hold back. I’ve found strength in surrounding myself with people who value growth and inclusion, and I now mentor and support women and girls in tech to help them aim high and recognize that they belong in this field.
What are your professional goals, and how has Parsec Automation enabled you to pursue them? What career growth resources/opportunities are available?
One of my ongoing goals is to grow as a technical leader who not only delivers high-quality products but also fosters a culture of excellence, inclusion and continuous learning. I want to work on problems that matter with people who care. At Parsec, I’ve had the chance to take on visible, impactful work while also influencing quality, security and team dynamics. I’ve been supported in shaping testing strategy, mentoring junior engineers and representing our team in cross-functional initiatives. Leadership has been open to my ideas and has provided flexibility when I needed it. I feel both trusted and challenged, which is exactly where I want to be.
“I feel both trusted and challenged, which is exactly where I want to be.”
Beyond my role, I’ve expanded my perspective by volunteering with a nonprofit focused on empowering women in technology. Through that experience, I’ve helped organize professional events, built community connections and strengthened my commitment to inclusive leadership. For career development, I’ve found it essential to seek mentorship, engage in growth conversations, and stay curious. There are also valuable opportunities to grow through conferences, training programs and stretch projects that support continuous learning.
What advice do you have for women in engineering or other technical roles regarding how to identify a company and team that will support their growth and development?
Be ambitious and do not wait until you feel completely ready. Growth often comes from stepping into challenges. Look for a team that values learning, encourages smart risk-taking and sees failure as part of the process. Ask how they support career development and who gets opportunities to lead. Notice if women are heard, included and thriving. Most importantly, build your support circle with people who care about your growth and want to see you succeed. A strong, inclusive culture is reflected in both everyday behavior and long-term decisions. Choose a place that helps you grow into your full potential.
