Meet Arshaluis Hogikyan – Lead Manufacturing Engineer at Arc in our interview series '5+1’.

If you haven’t come across Arc yet – it’s an innovator in the watercraft industry, with electric sport boats as its first product. Only founded in 2021 in Los Angeles, Arc is pushing the world of boating to higher heights. They are building electric boats from the ground up using advanced aerospace design and manufacturing methods paired with traditional marine craftsmanship techniques. Besides they are designing their own battery packs, powertrain, thermal control systems as well as the software.

We are very pleased to have Arshaluis on board for our ‘5+1’ interview. You will learn more about her job as Lead Manufacturing Engineer at Arc, the brand’s mission, how they are an agenda-setter in the boating industry and what Arc is doing to push gender equality and diversity forward. Besides Arshaluis gives us some advice for women who want to follow a STEM career and work in the boating industry and her opinion on how boating will look like in 2030.

1. Right now you work as a Lead Manufacturing Engineer at Arc. What does your job involve and what is it that drives you?

My responsibilities at Arc are incredibly diverse and I wouldn't have it any other way. On any given day I can be MIG welding test stands, helping resolve production issues, working with our vehicle engineering team to refine designs for ease of manufacturing, and leading Arc's manufacturing engineering team through Arc One production and into future programs. I’m driven by problem solving, so being involved in so many parts of Arc is exciting for me.

2. Arc Boat is still very new on the market. What’s the mission of the brand and where is the journey going? In your view, how is Arc Boat an agenda-setter in the boating industry? 

Arc is on a mission to electrify the world of boating. We want everything on the water to be electric, and that starts by inspiring people about what electric boats can be. That’s where Arc comes in. We’re beginning with recreational boats, and — after only two years — are already producing the highest-performing electric watercraft in the world. We plan to take the excitement we’ve generated around our first boat and expand it to more segments across the marine industry, making boating more accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable as we go. 

3. What is Arc doing to push gender equality and diversity forward?

Arc strongly champions diversity, equity, and inclusion and carries it as a pillar of our company values. We recently chartered our first ERG as Women of Arc to advocate for equality across the company supporting diversity of background, opinion, and culture. As part of the leadership team at Arc, I have a voice in decision making, goal setting, and driving the company forward. Nonetheless, we are still an early stage company, and for all the equality and diversity we are striving for there is still more we would like to do and are working towards those goals.

4. Do you have some advice for women who want to follow a STEM career and work in the mobility industry, and the boating industry more specifically? 

Most STEM industries, including the boating industry continue to be male dominated. Even though this may come with challenges, it also means that the impact each woman can have is significant! Regardless of industry or gender ratios, it is important to lead with purpose and remain fearless in pursuit of goals. Oftentimes, women fall prey to self doubt and proving themselves. Clarifying one’s career and learning goals and trusting in one’s abilities can serve as a guiding light through your STEM journey. 

5. Let’s talk about the future. What do you think boating will look like in 2030?

It’ll be electric! As mobility sectors continue to go electric, boating will do the same — but on a much quicker timeline. That’s because boating doesn’t have the same regulatory burdens that the auto and space industries have. As the industry goes electric, the barrier to and burden of ownership also goes way down. That means more people will have an opportunity to enjoy the water, and that’s exciting. And finally, the interaction between people and nature will improve. Imagine clean waters, and people experiencing nature in a way that’s never been possible with gas-powered motorboats: with fumeless, whisper-quiet performance.

And the +1 question from Arshaluis to you:

"As the marine industry zooms towards electrification, what new green commercial and legislative solutions do you foresee?”

Thank you Arshaluis for doing this insightful ‘5+1’ interview with us. If you want to hear more from the many inspiring women in the industry, check out the ‘5+1’ section of our magazine.

Pictures: Arc