Blazing a Trail in Automotive Engineering
Benetia Davis-Williams’ love for cars started at a young age. Growing up in Detroit, she was surrounded by a family that shared her passion for automobiles. “I live and breathe cars. My family loves cars, so I love cars,” she says. Her first car was a 1972 Cadillac coupe DeVille, and this early automotive experience would shape the course of her impressive career.
During high school, Benetia participated in a co-op program with Cadillac, where she worked on the chrome plating for bumpers. This hands-on experience ignited her desire to pursue a career in automotive engineering. “For my very first job, I thought I was going to be a teacher. But when I was at the co-op, I thought, ‘This is it. I like to tinker, and I like to make things. I’m a crafter.’ So, everything fell into place,” she recalls.
Climbing the Ranks at Cadillac
After high school, Benetia attended the General Motors Institute, thanks to a sponsorship from the Cadillac co-op program. She went on to work on blueprints and then joined the assembly line at the Detroit Hamtramck plant, where she worked alongside her line supervisor in quality.
Benetia’s hard work and dedication paid off as she moved up the ranks at Cadillac. She became a test engineer on Cadillacs for General Motors, and later transitioned to a design engineer role, where she was responsible for the exterior parts of vehicles, including headlamps, tail lamps, windshields, and body side moldings.
Leading the Charge on Cadillac’s Flagship Model
Today, Benetia Davis-Williams is the lead vehicle systems engineer at Cadillac, responsible for the body structure and exterior components of the brand’s latest project, the Cadillac OPTIQ. “I’m in charge of not only the body structure but also the exterior components. Our latest project is the Cadillac OPTIQ, and I got the whole outside of the vehicle. That’s all me, except for tires and wheels,” she proudly states.
As the lead engineer, Benetia ensures that the exterior and structural components of the OPTIQ meet government requirements. She oversees the testing and validation process, collaborating with the design team to bring their vision to life while also meeting engineering standards.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Black Girls in STEM
Benetia’s success in a male-dominated field has not come without its challenges. “Being the only Black person in the room is always interesting. A lot of times, when you’re dealing with people in a male-dominated space, they automatically go to the man instead of talking to you. It gets a little annoying, but for me, I just make sure they understand I’m the person that’s in charge.”
Recognizing the underrepresentation of Black and Brown women in the automotive industry and STEM careers, Benetia is dedicated to inspiring the next generation. She speaks at schools, informing girls about the possibilities available in STEM fields, and advocates for greater diversity and inclusion within the industry.
“Working in STEM is important, especially for women,” Davis-Williams says. “Everyone can apply engineering to their everyday life. And I want to make sure that the girls coming up see that.”
