The Role of Soft Skills in Women's Access to Managerial Positions in Engineering within STEM Fields

Abstract : The persistent underrepresentation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) constitutes a phenomenon that extends beyond the educational sphere and becomes more pronounced at decision-making levels within engineering. Far from being merely a numerical gap, this situation is rooted in structural frameworks that include organizational bias, a lack of mentorship, and the limited recognition of socio-emotional competencies in industrial environments. Within this context, the present article aims to examine the strategic role of soft skills as catalysts for women’s access to managerial positions in engineering. To support this analysis, a mixed-methods methodological approach is adopted. On the one hand, a systematic review of the state of the art is conducted using the SALSA framework (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis), which enabled the integration and comparison of findings from 25 international studies published between 2016 and 2026. Complementarily, an experimental pilot study was implemented in a manufacturing company in the furniture sector located in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, employing convenience sampling with the participation of 20 female engineers working in process engineering and sustainable design. Based on this dual approach, significant regularities between global and local contexts are identified. In particular, the strengthening of skills such as inclusive leadership, effective communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability is associated with substantial increases in professional confidence, job retention, and promotion opportunities, with improvements ranging between 20% and 30%. At the same time, the results of the pilot study reveal favorable impacts on organizational efficiency and innovation in productive processes. Consequently, the findings confirm that the systematic incorporation of soft skills not only contributes to mitigating gender inequalities in engineering but also emerges as an essential component for fostering sustainable, inclusive, and competitive development in STEM sectors.