The article analyzes the materials of foreign and domestic research of problems related to gender prejudices and barriers for women who experience difficulties not only when they enter the fields of science, technology and engineering, but, first of all, in the daily practice of the engineering and scientific community, in their workplace. We identify social factors that either mitigate or contribute to obstacles and losses for the development and advancement of women in the field of engi- neering work. The analysis of foreign authors' research and the contribution to the study of women engineers working at several major regional industrial enterprises leads us to the conclusion that the reasons for the marginal status of women in the modern industry are not just part of a tradition (engineering is a man's job), but are maintained and reproduced by eve- ryday practices.