Her work is deeply technical — from chemical machining and heat treatment to assembly validation and process optimisation — but what drives her is the meaning behind it all. “Being in aviation manufacturing means we can’t afford mistakes,” she says. “Every part we produce represents safety, quality and the trust of people who fly.”

Working at UMW Aerospace under Sime UMW has been both challenging and rewarding. “It’s stressful and thrilling at the same time,” she admits. “As a fresh graduate, I’ve attended audits and meetings with Rolls-Royce representatives. It’s a huge responsibility but also an incredible learning experience.” She compares it to her university rocket projects — both require precision, validation and confidence. “When I built rockets, I had to prove their safety to competition officials. Here, I do the same but for aircraft engines.”

Sime UMW’s support, she adds, has been instrumental in her growth. From scholarship opportunities to early career training, Vanmitha has benefitted from a culture that invests in its people. “Being trusted with meaningful responsibilities early on helped me grow fast,” she says. “The company’s belief in young talent pushes us to perform our best.”

Her passion for continuous improvement shines through in her recent work on developing an in-house coolant analysis system, reducing costs and downtime across production lines. She’s also deeply involved in the Rear Case development project, a strategic milestone for UMW Aerospace as the company becomes the sole supplier to Rolls-Royce. “It’s a major achievement for Malaysia and for all of us who get to contribute to it,” she says proudly.

The challenges are many — equipment breakdowns, process deviations, tight tolerances — but Vanmitha sees each as an opportunity to learn. “In aerospace, precision is everything. A slight error can compromise a part. That’s why discipline, teamwork and root-cause analysis are key.”

Her motivation comes from a higher purpose. “Every process I manage contributes to global aviation safety. Knowing that keeps me going,” she reflects. She’s also inspired by the younger generation she mentors through STEM talks across schools and universities. “I want to show that aerospace isn’t beyond reach for Malaysians, especially young women. The sky isn’t the limit — mindset is.”

Looking ahead, Vanmitha envisions UMW Aerospace advancing further into automation, data-driven manufacturing and high-value contracts. Personally, she hopes to deepen her expertise and one day play a role in Malaysia’s space industry. “One day, I hope to see a rocket carrying the Malaysian flag — and to have a hand in making that possible.”

Her advice to aspiring engineers is simple but powerful:
“Never doubt your capability. Stay curious, be persistent and keep learning. Challenges will come, but they’re part of growth. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.”

For Vanmitha, the dream that started with rockets has now taken flight in aerospace manufacturing — proving that with determination and purpose, even the biggest dreams can find their place among the clouds.