Humans of HTB #13: Voula and Katerina's journey into systems engineering

Step into the vibrant world of the Humans of HTB (HoH), your behind-the-scenes glimpse into our culture and the growth of our talented people!  

In this HoH series, we speak with Voula and Katerina about their journey at HTB as Systems Engineers.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

Hi, I’m Voula. I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, where my fascination with technology and computers began at a very young age.

During the final semester of my master’s degree, I made the decision to move to Athens in search of better opportunities to start my career in engineering. At the time, it was especially challenging for young engineers—particularly women—in my hometown.

Eight years later, I’m part of the infrastructure team at Hack The Box, where I build, break, and constantly strive to optimize systems (that last part doesn’t always go as planned, but that’s the magic of the job).

When I’m not behind a screen, whether working or gaming, you’ll probably find me at a rock or metal concert, petting random cats on the streets of Athens, dancing, working out, reading, traveling, or drawing.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

Hi, I’m Katerina, born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. I’m always up for spontaneous trips, open roads with great music, and capturing nature on film. In my free time, I enjoy fixing things and taking on hands-on projects. I work as a Systems Engineer at Hack The Box, where I contribute to the infrastructure team.

While the tech industry continues to struggle with gender diversity, the field of infrastructure seems to show an even greater gap. Why do you think that is?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

These fields have long been perceived as physically demanding or traditionally male-dominated, which can discourage women from pursuing them early on. In the world of IT infrastructure, where tasks like swapping servers and untangling cables are routine, women may still encounter the familiar “Can you lift that?” look. (Spoiler: yes, they can.)

On top of that, job descriptions for roles like “systems engineer” haven’t always been crafted with diversity in mind: overnight on-call shifts, network jargon that reads like a second language, and enough insider rules to fill a manual.

But women not only meet these challenges, they excel at them. They bring fresh perspectives that help teams rethink outdated routines, streamline processes, and drive meaningful improvements in efficiency and collaboration.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

The lack of visible role models can make it hard for young women to envision themselves in the field. Even when women do break in, they often find their ideas overlooked until a man repeats them and suddenly gets the attention. 

Constantly having to prove themselves or navigate bias can be exhausting, leading many to eventually leave. That’s why it’s not just about getting more women through the door, it’s about creating an environment where they can stay, thrive, and lead.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, despite its male-dominated nature?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

To be honest, my experience and background in the technology sector are pretty similar to Katerina’s. It all started when I was five years old with a Windows 95. My mother was always very supportive and noticed my curiosity about this “unknown-to-many-Greeks” world of computers. Thanks to her, I began taking private computer classes. 

Because of that, I grew to love everything about technology and became the “tech expert” among my friends, copying video games, music CDs, and movie DVDs (boomer moment: kids today will never understand the struggle of dial-up connections!) helping them decorate their MySpace profiles (please Google it for reference and don’t judge!), or assisting with Windows XP reinstalls.

Naturally, I felt at peace working with computers and always wanted to deepen my knowledge. At university, I initially aimed for a career in Telecommunications but later became fascinated by the security and hacking sector.

During my university years, I never really felt much pressure as a woman in tech. Sure, there were one or two professors who made inappropriate comments, but nothing truly intimidating. The hardest part came when I started sending out my first CVs and attending interviews. Many advised me to pursue customer support or documentation roles because they were seen as more “appropriate” for a girl, but that was not where my passion lay.

Thankfully, this attitude is much less common today. If I could give advice to young girls, it would be this: stand your ground, chase your dreams, and never let other people’s expectations hold you back.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

My first interaction with technology happened at a very young age. I come from a generation where not every household had one of those big, old, white desktop computers so when I finally got my hands on one, I was instantly hooked. 

I took it apart, broke it more times than I can count, and sending it to the IT technician became a weekly routine. Expectations around tech were very different back then. Exploring my first Windows XP machine felt like a game with endless possibilities; there was always something new to discover—or to break.

And when the internet finally made its way into our homes, it felt like a luxury to surf the web at 6 Mbps. I went from spending summers away from my best friends to chatting with them daily on MSN. It's hard to believe that was almost two decades ago.  That just made me feel a bit old...

At university, I found myself more mentally absorbed in systems and networking, and it became clear that this was where I belonged. As my career began to take shape, I was introduced to a wide range of infrastructure technologies and how the cloud works. That exposure sparked my curiosity even more, and I dove deeper into learning and practicing it.

For me, combining technologies and troubleshooting them feels like solving a new puzzle each time and the satisfaction of fixing or learning something new never gets old.

I never really thought much about the male-dominated nature of this profession until I realized the stark 90%-10% ratio of male to female students in my university program. Personally, I’ve never let gender make me feel underrated in my profession, even if others might have tried. Technology is for everyone, and every voice and opinion deserves to be heard.

Have you seen changes in the industry toward greater inclusivity? What improvements stand out to you, and what practical steps do you think companies can take to create a more inclusive environment for women in engineering?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

There have been some positive steps, but we’re definitely not there yet. In recent years, there’s been increased focus on mentorship programs, scholarships, and organizations like Women in Tech and Girls Who Code. These initiatives are helping to close the gender gap, especially for those just entering the field.

However, despite these efforts, many women still struggle to have even their basic rights fully recognized and respected.

Building a truly inclusive engineering team starts with blind résumé reviews, focusing on skills rather than names. It’s also important to ensure interview panels include diverse voices so candidates see representation from day one. Offering flexible hours and remote work as standard options is essential too; great ideas can happen over a cup of coffee whether that’s at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

Many initiatives are still focused on basics that should have been standard long ago, like equal pay, fair recruitment, and transparent promotion processes. It’s encouraging that these conversations are happening, but there’s still a long way to go before these changes become truly embedded in the culture rather than just being added on.

Managers and HR teams should undergo unconscious bias training and be held accountable for meeting diversity goals. It’s also important to publicly celebrate women’s achievements whether it’s a successful project launch or a clever script that saves hours of work. 

Small actions like these help create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work.

What excites you most about working in infrastructure at HTB?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

Back when I was a cybersecurity student, finding hands-on practice and staying up-to-date with security trends felt like trying to climb a mountain in flip-flops. HTB’s mission to provide everyone with real, high-quality access to security challenges resonated deeply with that struggle.

Now that I’ve sharpened my own skills, I’m excited to give back by helping set up new labs, curating up-to-date content, and supporting others as they level up. Plus, getting to tinker with the latest tech is just the cherry on top!

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

When I first collaborated with HTB as an external partner on an infrastructure project, I got a front-row seat to the cutting-edge technologies and tools in use. Working alongside the team, and seeing HTB’s purpose in action, showed me this was exactly where I wanted to be. 

Their collaborative spirit and clear communication made a lasting positive impression, so I didn’t hesitate to jump in. I’m thrilled to contribute alongside the team, that’s what excites me most!

What has been the most challenging or cutting-edge project you’ve worked on at HTB?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

My proudest moment with the team was working on the Pwnbox initiative. Thanks to the collective experience and support of the whole team, we delivered a rock-solid, fully documented solution that’s nearly entirely automated. 

I love automation, identifying repetitive tasks and optimizing them has become second nature to me. Of course, there’s always something new to tackle within the team, so the next exciting project is never far away.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

Although I’ve been with the team for a relatively short time, I feel that I’m contributing fully to our processes. 

For example, I’m involved in testing and delivering the weekly release machines and CTF challenges, assisting with Meetup setups and ensuring their high availability, as well as troubleshooting infrastructure issues. I’m excited for what’s next. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn.

How would you describe the work culture at HTB within your engineering team? Can you share any experiences that made you feel supported as a woman engineer?

Voula Dinaki, Senior Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

From my perspective, the HTB infrastructure team strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and authenticity. Instead of relying on flashy, checkbox-style diversity initiatives, the culture genuinely treats everyone, regardless of gender, as capable engineers first and foremost.

Katerina Lila, Systems Engineer at Hack The Box: 

That’s right! You’re valued for your ideas, not just filling a quota. This gender-agnostic approach truly makes all the difference. Here, support isn’t about fanfare; it’s built into how the team operates, and it clearly shows.

What advice would you give to young women starting out in this field?

Here’s a friendly roadmap from both of us for young women diving into infrastructure or tech in general:

• Follow what excites you, whether it’s network design, automation, cybersecurity, or cloud architecture, this space is yours too. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

• Plug into Women in Tech communities, Slack channels, local meetups, or online forums, where you can share stories, celebrate wins, and lean on peers who truly get it.

• Define your own strengths. Whether you’re a “systems whizz,” a “security sleuth,” or both, don’t let others label you. And when you nail a deployment or write a script that saves hours of work, own it! Speak up about your accomplishments without downplaying what you’ve achieved.

• Last but not least, choose environments that respect you, teams and companies that have your back, especially when things get tough. Know your HR resources so you can take action if you encounter discrimination.

• Your perspective is a valuable asset. Build, break things, and show the world what you’ve got!