Jackie Peer Champions Women in Engineering at SEL

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories director leads initiatives to boost female representation in the engineering field.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Human Resources

Jackie Peer Champions Women in Engineering at SEL

Live Poll

Does gender-focused mentorship effectively improve long-term career outcomes for women in male-dominated industries?

Jackie Peer, the director of industry outreach at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, is working to increase the number of women in the male-dominated engineering sector. Through mentorship and strategic engagement, she aims to improve retention for female professionals in the industry.

Why it matters

By focusing on recruitment and support for women, Peer aims to address persistent gender imbalances in technical fields. Her work at the region's largest private employer emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in the design of digital protective relays and cybersecurity solutions.

Jackie Peer maintains a 23-year tenure at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, where she logs a 60-hour work week at the corporate headquarters. The company stands as the largest private employer in the Pullman region.

The players

Jackie Peer

She serves as the director of industry outreach at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and has been with the company for 23 years.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

This company designs and manufactures digital protective relays, automation equipment, and cybersecurity solutions while serving as the largest private employer in the region.

The details

Peer utilizes industry event presentations and online appearances to share her expertise and provide coaching for women entering the engineering profession. Her role at the firm involves balancing these outreach efforts with her ongoing responsibilities at the company's headquarters in Pullman.

Daily: Jackie Peer commutes to corporate headquarters in Pullman.

Market Landscape

Peer's outreach mirrors industry-wide efforts to address the historical underrepresentation of women in engineering fields, which remains a primary challenge for modern workforce development. These initiatives reflect a broader shift toward inclusive retention strategies among top-tier regional employers.

For local engineers and aspiring professionals, these outreach efforts offer expanded access to mentorship and professional networking opportunities. The increased visibility of these initiatives may influence regional career development programs for students and current employees.

The takeaway

Mentorship remains a critical tool for building long-term diversity within technical corporate environments. Professionals looking to support these goals can seek out industry groups or mentorship programs that focus on removing barriers for underrepresented groups.