As Ireland marks National Women’s Enterprise Day 2025, it’s a timely moment to reflect on the growing presence and impact of women in software engineering — a field that has long been viewed as the backbone of digital innovation, but one where female voices are still emerging as a driving force for change.
At 2Cubed, we’ve always believed that engineering and creativity go hand in hand. Founded and led by Jennifer O’Brien, who has been developing bespoke software and websites since 2001, 2Cubed’s success has been built on technical precision, problem-solving, and innovation — qualities that define not just great developers, but great leaders.
The Value of a Female Perspective in Engineering
Software development is often seen as a purely technical discipline — lines of code, logic, frameworks, and data. But at its core, it’s about people: how they interact, how they think, and how they experience the world digitally. This is where a female perspective can add enormous value.
Women bring a balance of analytical thinking and empathetic design to software. We tend to look beyond “how it works” to ask “how it feels” and “who it helps.” In an age where user experience, accessibility, and ethical AI matter more than ever, this broader mindset is vital. It ensures technology isn’t just functional — it’s human-centred.
Jennifer’s own career — from coding bespoke systems in the early 2000s to leading large-scale web and software projects across Ireland and the UK — reflects this evolution. What started as writing software for small businesses has grown into designing complex, integrated solutions that empower clients in industries from healthcare to engineering to education.
Engineering as a Craft, Not a Commodity
At 2Cubed, bespoke programming has always been our USP. While many agencies focus on templates or “off-the-shelf” systems, our approach is rooted in engineering — understanding a problem deeply, architecting the right solution, and building it from the ground up.
That mindset is what defines true software craftsmanship. It’s not about shortcuts or trends; it’s about precision, logic, and long-term reliability. In this way, women in software are not just writing code — they’re writing the infrastructure of innovation.
As Jennifer often puts it, “Software is the silent engine behind progress — and when women build it, they shape the world differently.”
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy
The number of women in software roles is growing, but there’s still work to do. Encouraging more women to enter — and stay — in technical fields requires visibility, mentorship, and recognition. Events like National Women’s Enterprise Day play a crucial role in this by highlighting the real stories behind Ireland’s female founders and innovators.
Jennifer O’Brien’s journey, from being one of the few women in her computer science classes to leading an award-winning software agency, mirrors the progress many women in tech are making today. Her path shows that technical expertise and leadership are not opposing skills — they’re complementary.
Looking Ahead: Inspiring the Next Generation
As Ireland’s digital economy expands, the role of women in software engineering will only become more central. It’s no longer about fitting into a male-dominated industry — it’s about redefining it. When women lead in technology, teams become more diverse, solutions become more inclusive, and innovation accelerates.
At 2Cubed, we hope that by continuing to champion software excellence — and showing what female leadership looks like in action — we can inspire more women to choose this path, build their confidence in engineering, and help shape the next generation of Irish tech leaders.
