The Great Engineer

On my way home today, while riding the train, I had a random thought — one that has been brewing in my mind for a while: How can I become “the great engineer”?

I do not want to be the kind of engineer who simply shows up, does the tasks assigned, and then moves on with life, day after day, until the end of my career. No, I want to make an impact. I want to be the kind of engineer whose work not only solves problems but creates opportunities for others to solve even bigger ones.

I decided to write this down, not just for myself, but for anyone else who might be thinking the same. SO this may be like some bits and littered pieces. If you are like me, looking for purpose and direction in your engineering journey, then maybe these reflections will resonate with you too.

What makes a great Engineer?

The great engineer does not just build solutions, they build solutions that birth other solutions. Their work is not an endpoint but a launching pad for others to create, iterate, and innovate. In a world where technology evolves daily, the greatest contributions are often not the flashiest, but the most foundational and ethical part.

The Dedication to Hard Work

So, what truly makes someone a great engineer?

It is not just talent or intellect, although these are important . A great engineer is defined by their dedication to doing hard things, over and over, without cutting corners or finding an escape route. It is the discipline to ask tough questions, face complex problems, and still show up with the same energy and purpose every day.

The great engineer do the hard things with utmost dedication and you have the ability to make the world a better place than you met it - albeit technology wise.

Leadership Beyond Titles

The best engineer leads the path for other to follow and walk in without fail. sounds cliche? I do not think so. The great engineer has a great influence on society, through his inventions. Take Henry Ford as an example, he did not “invent” the modern ford car, but he laid down the foundation - by developing assembly and production lines - the “ford” engineers built on. Influence though engineering is a thing.

Why and How

The great engineer work is always referenced to in larger corps. The great engineers always want to know the how and why of a system; as the case may be.

Continuous Small Improvements

The great engineer continually kaizen - continuously makes many small improvements. They understand that excellence is not a destination but a habit, a mindset, a journey of many tiny steps.

Building Tools for Others

The great engineer builds tools that aids other engineers. They do not hoard knowledge; they build tools that empower others. Tools that reduce friction, that accelerate progress, that simplify the complex. In doing so, they create ripple effects that reach far beyond their desks or their time.

A Never-Ending Journey of Learning

The great Engineer never stops learning. Whether it is a new programming language, a deeper understanding of systems thinking, or simply how to better communicate an idea, growth is a constant.

In the end, greatness in engineering is not found in titles or patents. It is in impact. It is in how many doors you open for others, and how well the systems you build stand the test of time. The great Engineer does not think only thing things written in this article makes them a great engineer, they think beyond this scope, and on and on and on.