Women Powering the Future of Energy: A Q&A with Exowatt Engineers

In honor of International Women in Engineering Day, we’re spotlighting the incredible women engineers behind Exowatt’s mission to build modular, dispatchable solar energy for a cleaner, smarter future.

We asked Kazue Orikasa, Maggie Mesler, and Nafiseh Mohammadian about what drives them, the work they’re proud of, and their advice to the next generation of women in STEM. Their stories highlight the diverse paths that led them to engineering and their shared commitment to sustainable innovation.
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Q1: What inspired you to pursue engineering, and how did you find your way to Exowatt?

Kazue Orikasa, Lead Materials Engineer:
I’ve always loved math and physics, but I also enjoyed building and experimenting with things hands-on. Engineering felt like the perfect combination of analytical thinking and practical problem-solving. It gave me a way to turn ideas and concepts into something real and useful.‍

Maggie Mesler, Mechanical Engineering Intern:
Math was always my favorite subject in school, which led me to pursue engineering – a field where problem solving creates impactful real-world solutions. I was drawn to Exowatt because its innovative approach to solar energy aligns with my interest in clean, sustainable energy solutions.‍

Nafiseh Mohammadian, Lead Optical Engineer:
‍I’ve loved math since I was a kid—it always just made sense to me. That passion naturally led me to engineering, where I get to use math every day to think critically and solve real-world problems. What really draws me to Exowatt is its mission: creating clean, solar-powered energy. It aligns perfectly with my hopes for the planet and a sustainable future.

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Q2: What are you most excited about for the future of clean energy?

Kazue:
I’m excited by the potential to decouple economic growth from carbon emissions—clean energy technologies are finally reaching the scale and performance needed to do that. It's not just about sustainability anymore, it's about building better, more resilient systems from the ground up. The pace of innovation in materials, storage, and systems integration is accelerating in a way that’s hopeful.

Maggie:
I’m most excited to see how clean energy continues to scale to meet the world’s growing energy demands. Clean energy is becoming a reliable energy source for the future rather than just an alternative.

Nafiseh:
The sun gives us more energy than we could ever use—we just need the right tools to store and use it efficiently. If we can do that, we have a real shot at building a cleaner, safer world and avoiding future conflicts over energy.
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I truly believe solar energy is essential for our future.

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Q3: What do you love most about being part of Exowatt’s engineering team, and what advice would you offer to young women engineers today?

Kazue:
What I love most is how quickly we move from idea to impact. We apply first-principles thinking every day, and you can see the results of your engineering decisions almost immediately. It’s energizing to work in a place where creativity, rigor, and speed all matter.

Maggie:
Exowatt is filled with incredibly talented people, and the fast-paced, driven environment has allowed me to learn and grow exponentially in such a short period of time.

Nafiseh:
I love how smart, driven, and collaborative everyone is. People from different backgrounds work closely together every step of the way. It’s a fast-moving place where you’re not just doing small tasks—you’re helping shape major decisions and real technology. It’s exciting, hands-on, and a great place to grow your career.
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We’re proud to work alongside these brilliant minds shaping the future of clean energy. If you're interested in joining a team of curious, mission-driven people, Check out our open roles and help us build the future of energy. Happy International Women in Engineering Day!