Staff Spotlight: Laura Soverns, Director of Projective US

This month, we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Laura Soverns, Director of Projective US. Laura combines positivity, energy, and deep technical expertise with a genuine passion for people. From her early days in engineering to leading Projective’s US operations, she brings a hands-on approach and a commitment to excellence that inspires everyone around her. Her story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a drive to make things happen, qualities that have shaped her career and continue to fuel Projective’s growth.

What’s one surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t expect?

I was essentially an engine mechanic in a previous job and often had to change the cylinder heads on an 8.1 liter engine in inclement weather. These engines were usually found in very large General Motors trucks, but this company was using them in a cogeneration generator system. The work was always outdoors: it could be freezing cold or boiling hot outside, but we had to get the job done.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be and why?

It would definitely be Italy, but I would want it to be on the very northern end so that I could pop over to France as often as I wanted. I love everything about both Italian and French culture – the food, the language, the people and the scenery. I had the chance to spend several months in France as a validation engineer for a pharmaceutical company, and I would like the opportunity to spend several months in Italy as well.

Where did your career begin, what was your first ever job?

My first job was as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant and I proudly earned $1.35 an hour plus tips. It was in Anderson, Indiana, where I was going to high school. I was about 17 because we had just moved from the Detroit area to Anderson and I was making long-distance phone calls to my boyfriend in Michigan. The phone bill kept climbing and it was getting very expensive, so I had to get a job to pay for all of my calls.

What first sparked your interest in engineering?

Back in our lean years when we were a small family with a toddler, bills were tight. A neighbor who worked at the General Motors Delco Remy laboratories in Anderson came over and suggested that my sisters should consider engineering because it was a wonderful time for women to enter the field. My sisters weren’t there visiting my mother at the time, but I was, and I thought that sounded like something I could try. I decided to take one class and told myself if I hated it, I had lost nothing. I took an introductory electrical circuits class and to my surprise, I loved it! That one class propelled me into engineering.

I had always liked science but never thought I was good at it and never considered it as a career. Once I discovered how much I enjoyed circuits, everything made sense. I went on to earn my electrical engineering degree through Purdue University. I started at an extension in Anderson and then finished in Indianapolis. It was a surprise to find that I had a real passion for problem solving, and that decision has benefited my family and me for decades.

What’s the most challenging engineering project you’ve ever worked on, and what did you learn from it?

There have been many exciting challenges over the years, but one that stands out was when I was assigned to solve a problem with the gear set on the General Motors EV1 electric car. This was the world’s first mass-produced electric car, the EV1, which ran between 1996 and 2002. General Motors only leased those cars, and sadly later recalled and crushed them, which is detailed in a movie called Who Killed the Electric Car?

The issue was that the EV1 was making a noise we called ‘no load rumble,’ which happened when the car was in park mode. Using statistical engineering problem-solving techniques, I discovered that the issue was with the concentricity of a gear set. The gear was being ground at one plant and then pressed onto a shaft that had been ground at another plant, so they were not concentric. The solution turned out to be simple: rough finish the gear at the first plant, ship it to the second plant, assemble the shaft and gear together, and then finish grind the assembly together so that the two parts were concentric. This solution completely eliminated the noise issue.

What I learned from that project is that sometimes the solution is simple but finding it requires the right method. We often complicate things, but simplicity can be the most efficient answer.

How did you first come across Projective, and what drew you to join the team?

A mutual friend, Marcus, was contracted to Projective. I had worked with him back in 2009. He knew that Ray (CEO) was looking for someone in the US to help open a US office, so Marcus contacted me via email in 2022. From the very beginning there was an immediate attraction to the people on the team, starting with Ray. I was already a fan of Marcus, and then Ray was my first introduction to Projective.

I met with him and four others who were working at a local client site at the time, including some of our key team members, so we had lunch together. The rest, as they say, is history.

What does your role as Director of Projective US involve on a day-to-day basis?

Even when I am not in the office, I stand at the ready to deal with whatever needs my attention at Projective US. Whatever the day brings, I stop what I am doing and take care of it. I view my role as creating clarity and removing obstacles so the team can focus on delivering great work. My goal is to do whatever I can to keep the company running smoothly without interrupting the schedules of other employees.

What do you enjoy most about working at Projective?

I keep coming back to the people. I’ve never worked for a company that emphasized being friendly right from the hiring process. The idea of a ‘friendly expert’ really is a crucial characteristic of this company, and it’s not just words, it’s part of our culture.

Is there a particular project or achievement here that you’re especially proud of?

Creating the US office in 2022, from the ground up. I was the only US employee at the time! Anne and Jon, from our HQ UK office, came over to the US for six months to help me and then out of that came everything that you see today.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in engineering today?

The engineering philosophy that helped me the most is one I learned early on through Dorian Shainin’s Statistical Engineering Problem Solving Method. It’s human nature to want to jump to conclusions when solving a problem, but as engineers we have to resist that temptation. Put guesses aside, follow the scientific data, and keep your eyes open to all the evidence. The principle is simple: ‘Talk to the parts’—study the evidence rather than jumping to conclusions. Let the parts or the situation teach you what has happened instead of guessing.

I was fortunate to be trained in the Shainin® method early in my career, and it really helped me. Of course, I learned a lot at university, but in the real world it’s more about logic and putting emotions aside in a scientific setting. The Shainin tools are straightforward and efficient, allowing you to get to the root of a problem much quicker than traditional methods.

For example, the ‘no load rumble’ issue I mentioned earlier on the EV1 electric car was solved using Shainin® Statistical Engineering techniques. So my advice is this: resist the urge to jump to conclusions and always follow the evidence!

Where do you see Projective US in five years’ time?

I think Projective US is entering a huge growth period. We are going to grow in clients and in staff size more than we can imagine, and I’m excited about that.

Laura’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, curiosity, and continuous learning. Her journey reminds us that engineering isn’t just about technical expertise—it’s about embracing challenges, finding simple solutions to complex problems, and building strong relationships along the way. As Projective US enters an exciting growth phase, Laura’s leadership and vision will continue to inspire us all.