Michelle Hildyard, VP of operations, Raymarine & FLIR Maritime on carving a career in marine electronics

Michelle Hildyard, VP of operations, Raymarine & FLIR Maritime, explores why underrepresentation remains a challenge in the marine electronics sector.

When I was eight years old, I first took to the water in a sailing dinghy off the coast of Southampton. I had no idea then that the sea would shape not only my personal passions but also my professional life. Today, as vice president of operations at Raymarine and FLIR Maritime, I oversee engineering, supply chain, customer service and product management. It’s a role that still surprises many people when I explain that I don’t come from a technical background but have made a career in marine electronics.

Getting a job in the marine industry

Marine electronics is often associated with technical roles – software engineers developing algorithms for autopilot control systems and hardware engineers implementing signal processing chains for radar and sonar. 

At Raymarine and FLIR, we are fortunate to have talented women in senior engineering roles. These engineering roles are vital in product development, but they are only part of the picture. Behind every product launch, every innovation, every successful customer experience is a network of non-technical expertise in product management, project management, supply chain, logistics, sales, support and marketing.

I began my career at Raymarine in supply chain management and went on to lead commercial functions, customer service, product management, before taking on responsibility for all operations, including engineering. I didn’t arrive with a technical degree. What I brought was curiosity, resilience and the determination to learn, combined with skills in organisation, problem-solving and leadership. Those qualities have carried me through each stage of my career.

Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in marine electronics and the wider marine industry. Too often, the industry is perceived as overly technical, deterring women from considering roles in the marine industry. That perception is a disservice, not just to women but to the industry as a whole.

The marine industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Electronics and AI are reshaping the way we navigate, communicate and ensure safety at sea. 

At Raymarine, our latest generation of FLIR marine thermal cameras use AI to detect and classify targets. Our Alpha displays and smart wind transducers use precise motion sensing to capture real-time data, delivering it to users in a clear and accurate format. This provides boaters with a competitive edge through reliable, high-quality information. Connectivity is allowing skippers to monitor their boats remotely, and sustainability is shaping how products are designed and used. If we want to build the best technologies for the future of boating, we need diverse perspectives shaping them.

Opening the doors

One question I am often asked is how we can encourage more women into the marine industry. There are many opportunities. Project management, for instance, is about coordinating teams, budgets and ensuring deadlines are met. These are transferable skills that many women already use in other industries, or even in their daily lives. If you’re organised, detail-oriented and good at bringing people together around a common goal, you already have the foundation of a project manager. 

The first step is exposure. Volunteer to support cross-functional initiatives, even if you’re not leading them. That experience will help you understand how different departments, from engineering to operations, fit together. Training can also help with certifications like PRINCE2 or PMP which are widely recognised and can build confidence.

Product management is one of the most exciting roles in our industry because it sits at the intersection of technology, customer insight and business strategy. It requires curiosity, empathy and a willingness to understand what boaters really need.

My own lifelong passion for sailing and powerboating means I understand the frustrations and joys of time on the water. When we developed assisted docking technology, I knew immediately how it could make boating less intimidating and stressful for boat owners and safer for families. Product managers don’t necessarily need to design the technical solution themselves, but they can translate customer needs into requirements, which engineers can work with and then guide a product through to launch.

For women interested in a career in marine electronics – and the marine segment in general – I’d recommend immersing yourself in the boating lifestyle if you aren’t already a boater. Spend time on the water, attend boat shows and listen to what owners and captains say about their pain points. Pair that with business skills, an understanding of markets, pricing and customer behaviour, and you’ll have a powerful toolkit. Courses in product management can help, but so too can shadowing engineers and sales teams to understand both the technical possibilities and customer expectations.

Retaining talent in the marine sector

Attracting women into marine electronics is only half the challenge. Enabling them to stay and thrive lies with visibility. When women see others like them in leadership roles, it is motivating. I have spoken at events such as Metstrade and the Miami International Boat Show alongside female leaders from across the marine sector, and each time I am reminded how powerful representation can be.

Mentorship is another cornerstone. Throughout my career, I’ve benefitted from supportive colleagues and mentors who fostered and championed my development. Today, I also actively mentor women within our team to help guide their own careers. Formalising those kinds of relationships through structured mentorship programmes makes a huge difference.

Retention also requires practical policies such as flexible working arrangements, clear pathways for advancement and a commitment to addressing bias where it exists. These are practices we’ve embedded at Raymarine.

The business case is clear – diverse teams are stronger teams. They generate better ideas, build products that meet real-world needs and foster innovation that keeps the industry moving forward. In an era where AI, connectivity and sustainability are redefining boating, we cannot afford to leave talent on the sidelines.

Taking the helm

For me, the sea has always represented freedom. Technology is helping us preserve that freedom and opening up new possibilities for boaters of every level. But to unlock the full potential of this industry, we need to widen the circle. 

My journey proves you do not need to be an engineer to lead in marine electronics. Women need curiosity, resilience and the confidence to step into spaces where they are underrepresented. If more women are encouraged and supported, the industry will not only be more inclusive, but it will also produce better innovations, better products and a better boating experience for everyone.