A Day in the Life of an Engineering Manager, Mom, and SWE Mentor

When she isn’t hiking, planting, practicing Taekwondo with her son, or coaching his soccer team, Monika Chauhan—Design Engineering and Architecture Group Manager for the mechanical engineering department at ASML—spends her time coaching women through the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Driven by workplace challenges, passionate about advancing women's career development, and deeply interested in the semiconductor and chip industry, she saw ASML as the ideal place to push her technical and business management skills while flourishing in its inclusive and supportive culture.

As the influence of AI expanded and advanced technology became increasingly vital to shaping the future, Chauhan’s curiosity deepened. ASML—renowned globally for its leadership in chip-making machinery—naturally captured her attention.

She was impressed by the company’s innovative culture, collaborative work environment, and commitment to technological advancement, which she learned about during an industry conference. But Chauhan says that her intellectually stimulating interview at ASM—filled with thoughtful and unique questions that reflected the depth of the company’s expertise—sealed the deal for her. She became even more impressed by the humility and approachability of ASML employees, even despite their exceptional talent and accomplishments.

Now, she works on the team in ASML’s Wilton, Connecticut office, while lifting other women in STEM alongside her.

“Every day at ASML brings new challenges and innovations, creating an environment where continuous learning and motivation thrive,” she says, regardless of gender or background. “It’s the kind of place where you can envision building a long-term career—possibly even retiring from.”

Here, Chauhan shares how she established her storied career in STEM and landed at ASML—as well as how she’s helping others pave their own paths.

I completed my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in 2008 in New Delhi, India. In 2009, I moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Texas. During my studies, I developed a deep interest in the aerodynamic design of airplanes—particularly how their shape influences flight dynamics, speed, takeoff, and landing. My research focused on the physics of jet fuel combustion and specialized in computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulations.

After graduating, I spent six years progressing through roles such as designer, senior engineer, global program manager, and technical program leader for Cummins. But driven by a passion for continuous learning and growth, I returned to graduate school to pursue a PhD in aerospace and ocean engineering. My research centered on CFD and aeroacoustics in supersonic jet engines. After three years of dedicated effort, I earned my PhD in 2021.

In late 2021, I became a hardware development manager, where my team and I led the design and development of data center servers. While attending a conference, my curiosity about emerging technologies led me to connect with professionals from ASML. That interaction opened the door to an interview, and I joined ASML two years ago as an engineering group manager.

I lead a team of 24 engineers, including team leads and system architects, who are responsible for supporting key business platforms. My role involves:

• Cross-functional collaboration: Ensuring alignment and effective communication with stakeholders across multiple teams
• Mentorship and coaching: Supporting the professional development and career growth of team members through regular guidance and feedback
• Strategic prioritization: Managing business priorities based on customer requirements and delivery timelines to ensure successful outcomes

What drives me the most is contributing to impactful work that directly influences business success. I thrive in roles where I can make meaningful decisions, manage active priorities, and help deliver results that matter.

Beyond my immediate responsibilities, I’m also passionate about supporting inclusion at work. I’m deeply passionate about women’s leadership and empowerment, which is why I actively contribute to the Women@ASML Employee Network.

I help translate SWE’s global insights into impactful initiatives within our organization by organizing and structuring workshops focused on career development. Through these initiatives, I aim to inspire confidence and help women at ASML realize their full potential and career aspirations. Making a positive impact in others’ lives—one step at a time—adds purpose and fulfillment to my everyday work.

I also lead the Group Leaders Community in D&E Wilton and represent Wilton GL in the Global GL Community Leadership. In this role, I actively engage with cross-functional stakeholders across teams. This helps me foster strong networks and drive engagement both locally at ASML Wilton and globally.

I had the privilege of being part of the EUV development team responsible for delivering the High-NA EXE 5000 machine to Intel and Low NA NXE machines to our customers. This project involved an incredibly complex and sophisticated design. Witnessing the dedication, collaboration, and technical excellence of the team throughout the process was truly inspiring. It was a remarkable example of what can be achieved when talented individuals come together with a shared vision and commitment.

Another highlight has been collaborating with the team on projects. We developed a centralized dashboard for hardware order tracking as part of my Six Sigma Black Belt project. The tool consolidates all relevant information in one place, eliminating the need for manual tracking through emails, chats, or individual follow-ups. The initiative is currently being rolled out through IT, and we anticipate full deployment by the end of the year, enabling more efficient and transparent order tracking for everyone.

The challenge of effective cross-team communication and collaboration is not unique to ASML. It’s something all large, technology-driven organizations face. With the complexity of our products, staying aligned across functions is critical.

At ASML, we address this through our core values: Challenge, Collaborate, and Care. We work hard to foster strong collaboration, challenge each other constructively, and support one another with care. This mindset helps us stay synchronized and focused on delivering high-quality products to our customers.

Another key challenge we’re addressing is how to deliver cutting-edge technology that’s accessible without compromising quality—an essential factor in today’s competitive global market.

This means leveraging smarter design choices, optimized materials, streamlined supply chains, and more efficient processes.

At ASML, there’s a strong culture of continuous learning and growth that transcends hierarchy, seniority, or tenure. The environment encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing across all levels, which allows me to learn something new every day from incredibly smart and talented colleagues. This culture has been instrumental in my personal and professional development, enabling me to enhance my technical and business skills through advanced training and hands-on experience.

The opportunities at ASML not only empower me to perform my role more effectively, but they also help me support and uplift my team, ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and motivation to succeed. ASML fosters a mindset of innovation and improvement, where leaders actively support and encourage employees to drive change, contribute to process enhancements, and boost team efficiency.

One quote that continues to inspire me is, “Empowered women empower women.” It perfectly captures the spirit of my work with SWE and the purpose that drives me.

The SWE is a global platform with over 50,000 members and allies dedicated to empowering women in STEM fields. I’ve been actively involved with it since 2009, starting as a graduate student volunteer. At the time, I supported conference logistics to attend career fairs and participate in workshops that addressed the unique challenges women face in the workplace, at home, and in life.

Over the years, my involvement with SWE has grown through various roles—from Student Volunteer and Collegiate Member to Corporate SWE Ambassador and Global Affinity Professional Development Board Member. Currently, I serve on the SWE Technical Career Path: Technical Advocacy Board and the SWE Mentoring Board. I also mentor women and girls globally every week, helping them navigate their careers, develop professionally, and manage work-life balance and well-being challenges.

My mentoring calendar is often fully booked in advance, reflecting the strong demand for guidance and support.

Leadership is not defined by gender. It’s driven by capability, confidence, and consistency. I believe what truly matters in leadership roles is a strong foundation of professional and technical skills, paired with the confidence to grow, take initiative, and deliver results. Success comes from staying committed to your goals and maintaining a consistent effort over time.

In the business world, it’s important to remember that nothing is personal. It's about progress, performance, and impact. One of the most empowering lessons I’ve learned is to take ownership of your own career and development. While managers and mentors can guide and support you, the responsibility to grow and lead ultimately lies with you.