7 skills to develop for a good engineer

engineer
Are you a good engineer?

We have asked a number of engineers to tell us which qualities they feel are necessary to succeed in their domain.

         Be curious and logical

A scientific approach and technical know-how are not enough on their own, an engineer should above all be able to define and understand the issue for which a solution needs to be found within the allotted time-frame. Their job is to concentrate on objectives and “push things forward”.  To clarify complex problems and understand how things function they need to be both curious and logical. The best solutions will be found through the close examination of all of the relevant aspects of an issue.

 –        Be part of the team

Team spirit is an essential quality. The best solutions are only very rarely found by a person working in total isolation. Results and innovation are come from the exchange of ideas within a team possessing multiple specialities.

Whatever an engineer’s profile, working within a group is an essential part of their career. After this there is the question of managerial and leadership skills with which certain engineers will feel more at home than others.

–        Be a good communicator

A good engineer must have excellent communication skills. They have to communicate not only with other engineers and technicians but also with customers for whom they have to be able to translate complex technical jargon into clear layman’s terms in order to successfully explain the reasons behind proposed solutions.

Whether on a one-to-one basis or in front of a group, they will have to be able to answer questions with clarity, organising and simplifying the information provided where necessary.

 –        Be creative and innovative

An engineer must be creative and able to think of innovative methods in order to work well. The ability to develop original ideas will always be much appreciated. This must also involve a willingness to take risks and go beyond any preconceived ideas.To do this they must be passionate and able to accept change. This will also help to develop a capacity for anticipation.

–        Be flexible

Projects can keep coming and be significantly different.  Even if working methods remain constant an engineer must be able to adapt to the specifics of each project. They will often have to deal with national and international companies from many different industrial sectors.

–        Be rigorous

A good engineer must pay attention to detail in order to reduce the risk of error during the project.  Work must not be “rushed”, even when faced with strict deadlines or supervision from other engineers.

–        Follow professional training programs

An engineer must keep his knowledge up to date regarding industrial development. Technological advances are a useful means of seeking out and finding new ideas and approaches. Professional training helps to develop one’s capacity for innovation.