What Makes an Exceptional Engineer?
The article explores the characteristics that distinguish exceptional engineers from their peers. It defines exceptional engineers as those who can create complex systems independently and possess superior cognitive abilities. The author reflects on the rarity of such individuals and the challenges organizations face in cultivating exceptional engineering talent.
- ▪Exceptional engineers are defined by their ability to create highly complex systems using their own power.
- ▪Most engineers are not exceptional, and only a small minority possess the necessary cognitive capabilities.
- ▪Exceptional engineers have a higher processing speed and better long-term memory, allowing them to manage complex systems effectively.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Exceptional engineers29 May 2026OpinionAuthorJulia Desmazes A few weeks back I was asked a seemingly innocuous question by an friend:In the context of engineering, what do you think people who become genuinely exceptional are usually good at?This friend is still a student, and the vast majority of the engineers he has worked alongside with are also students, at most a few years more advanced than him. He and his colleagues are still in there initial competency ramp. And, although he might already get the vague sense that some of his acquaintances are progressing at a much faster rate than others, capturing the conditions in which some would follow this competency ramp to becoming excellent engineers is still unclear.This question truly gave me pause.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Tales on the wire.
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