When she started in engineering, Jaqueline Bellini (61) from Gaúcha perceived that she was “doing more” to stand out in a predominantly male field at the end of the 1980s. Or what motivated her more to mechanical engineering, based in Joinville 22 years ago, because of the problems she encountered along the way. She even classifies many obstacles as “fun problems” that take her to places and positions she never imagined she would, such as leading the first global project for Whirlpool, a company that owns the Brastemp, Consul and KitchenAid brands.

Born in Passo Fundo, a city located approximately 295 kilometers from Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Jaqueline received a meeting from friends who ended up moving into her life in 1987. The group went to Joinville, a municipality located in the North of Santa Catarina, to participate in a job interview to join one of the first trainee tours. Whirlwind. Recently trained, she began the area of ​​mechanical engineering and product development, something she has always been passionate about.

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Secondly, only two women were trained in their turn at the Universidade de Passo Fundo in 1986:

—And when I came here, I went to the trainee interview, I was the only woman in mechanical engineering. And I wasn’t expecting anything very different, because it was a space very similar to the university. Tinha uma engineering of foods and other chemicals. But the mechanics are very restricted — count.

Of 40 trainees selected for their shift, only they remain at Whirlpool. São 39 years of history within the same company, going through various projects, positions and experiences. She will remain in the engineering area for approximately 17 years, dealing directly with the creation of products such as Ice Maker, one of the two most revolutionary of the time.

— It was two of my first projects of very importance. A gelo fazer machine for export. People are looking for a compact product that is a refrigerator. My challenge was to place a gelato machine inside — remember.

Second Jaqueline, the project was manual and linked, also, to her first trip to the United States. At this time, he spoke poorly in English and also managed to negotiate the necessary terms to approve the launch of the product in the country and in Canada.

— It was a product that no one had much faith in. Some people sold close to a thousand pieces, which at one time was quite a lot for little investment. With a very small team, I took care of everything. Do investment, do custo. I had fun doing this — remember.

Over two years in product engineering, Jaqueline participated in various projects and helped shape the history of refrigeration around the world. The first global project led by the engineering of a product manufactured in Joinville. At times, she went on to interact with various cultures.

Ingenheira chegou to negotiate innovations with Italy, India and Latin American nations. A professional, inclusive, knowledgeable in more than 35 countries by Whirlpool.

— Eu ia for factory, fazia peça. I didn’t care, because I wanted to do this. Now that this is an important thing too, enjoying being an engineer. The engineer has the root of the problem. Because the biggest problems are the ones that give me the best opportunities to grow, to learn, to develop,” he says.

Some products have changed over time, but there is still no catalog of products from brands belonging to the company. Currently, Jaqueline works as a senior manager of regulatory affairs throughout Latin America and says she learns new things every day even after a 39-year career.

Women in engineering

In Brazil, there are 223,711 female engineers registered with the Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea). The survey carried out in 2025, however, suggests that the number represents close to 20% of professionals throughout the country.

Jaqueline says that, when she started in engineering, the diversity and equity flag still did not exist. Therefore, when she became a leader she began to encourage even more women within Whirlpool, always remembering her own history.

— There I hire women, I also hire engineers outside of Brazil. And I always try to spend that time doing things and feeling part of them — he says.

For her, as women we can be much more than a society.

— Eu sou mãe, sou engenheira, viajei pra caramba. A gente da um jeito, it is organized. A woman is like this, the more you coisa tem, the more you face. It is important that you have problems, because problems are opportunities. All the greatest victories lead to great problems — advice.

antoinettes

Antonietas is an NSC project that aims to give visibility to the strength of Santa Catarina women, regardless of the area of ​​action, through multiplatform content, in all the group’s vehicles. Saiba mais acessando o link.