5 answers
Sib
Student
Alaska, MI
1
Question
Asked
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What is engineering ?
What is the future of engineering.
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5 answers
Janardan Revuru
Director of Engineering
14
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Janardan’s Answer
Engineering is about understanding the laws of nature (physics, chemistry, etc) to make use of them or do some hack to get something useful to mankind. It is not just making things work, but also in most optimised way. We keep pushing limits of science and never be done.
Let me explain, we understood the properties of metals to find what is the best one for electric bulbs as filament that will last longer. Then, new ways to produce artificial light.
In the field of Machine learning, create intelligence out of data with optimal use of compute power, with low carbon emissions.
Civil engineering is about building bridges on ocean understanding nature, build tall buildings like Burj Khalifa, understanding properties of nature - wind, water, atmospheric pressure, etc.
Understanding science good enough to cheat nature and get our job done.
Let me explain, we understood the properties of metals to find what is the best one for electric bulbs as filament that will last longer. Then, new ways to produce artificial light.
In the field of Machine learning, create intelligence out of data with optimal use of compute power, with low carbon emissions.
Civil engineering is about building bridges on ocean understanding nature, build tall buildings like Burj Khalifa, understanding properties of nature - wind, water, atmospheric pressure, etc.
Understanding science good enough to cheat nature and get our job done.
Mark Munkacsy
Astronomer, Mentor, System Architect
3
Answers
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Updated
Mark’s Answer
In my experience, engineering involves three different kinds of activities:
1) Design: Engineers design things. This is a creative act where they take a problem that needs to be solved or a system that they have been asked to design, and the engineer goes about deciding how to arrange various building blocks into a suitable system. It's the decision-making that engineers will focus on. They will create documents and drawings that capture the results of their decision-making. Then they (rarely) or someone else (usually) will use those documents and drawings to actually produce the system. Engineers will routinely use analysis (below) to help make their design decisions.
2) Analysis: Engineers will look at a system and make predictions about how the system will behave under various conditions. For example, they will look at a traffic intersection and predict how well (or how poorly) traffic will flow through the intersection after a local football game finishes and 10,000 cars all leave the stadium at the same time. There's a special branch of engineering analysis that is sometimes called "failure analysis," where engineers will look at a system that has failed (perhaps a bridge that collapsed) and find out why the failure happened. Engineers use a lot of mathematics and computer simulation and modeling during analysis. Sometimes engineering analysis will look at a system that was built to find out if the system is actually able to do what it was supposed to do (in which case this form of engineering analysis is often called "testing").
3) Operation: Some systems are so complex (or so dangerous) that we rely on engineers to operate these systems. For example, nuclear reactors, gas pipelines, chemical plants, railroad locomotives, naval warships, spacecraft, and some complex firefighting equipment are all often run by engineers. These systems are generally so complex that you can't simply hand someone a set of instructions and say, "Just go following the directions to make it work." Instead, we rely on engineers who are able to do some analysis in their head while making decisions about what to do next.
Most engineering jobs involve a mix of all three of these activities, although blending them in different ways. For example, a software engineer asked to build cybersecurity tools will mostly perform design and analysis, while a software engineer asked to conduct a cybersecurity penetration test on a computer system will mostly perform operation and analysis. For a while I worked as an engineer on a submarine, where I did mostly engineering operation with a little bit of engineering analysis. Engineers on the National Transportation Safety Board (ntsb.gov) almost exclusively perform engineering analysis, particularly failure analysis.
Engineering will remain an essential field in the future. Generally, systems are become more complex with new systems being designed and built all the time. Although computer software can be used as a tool during all three of those activities (design, analysis, and operation), we are still some distance away from being comfortable trusting software to make dangerous decisions without first having a human perform some design, perform some analysis, and convincing themselves that the system will behave safely. Human engineers will be needed for a long time.
1) Design: Engineers design things. This is a creative act where they take a problem that needs to be solved or a system that they have been asked to design, and the engineer goes about deciding how to arrange various building blocks into a suitable system. It's the decision-making that engineers will focus on. They will create documents and drawings that capture the results of their decision-making. Then they (rarely) or someone else (usually) will use those documents and drawings to actually produce the system. Engineers will routinely use analysis (below) to help make their design decisions.
2) Analysis: Engineers will look at a system and make predictions about how the system will behave under various conditions. For example, they will look at a traffic intersection and predict how well (or how poorly) traffic will flow through the intersection after a local football game finishes and 10,000 cars all leave the stadium at the same time. There's a special branch of engineering analysis that is sometimes called "failure analysis," where engineers will look at a system that has failed (perhaps a bridge that collapsed) and find out why the failure happened. Engineers use a lot of mathematics and computer simulation and modeling during analysis. Sometimes engineering analysis will look at a system that was built to find out if the system is actually able to do what it was supposed to do (in which case this form of engineering analysis is often called "testing").
3) Operation: Some systems are so complex (or so dangerous) that we rely on engineers to operate these systems. For example, nuclear reactors, gas pipelines, chemical plants, railroad locomotives, naval warships, spacecraft, and some complex firefighting equipment are all often run by engineers. These systems are generally so complex that you can't simply hand someone a set of instructions and say, "Just go following the directions to make it work." Instead, we rely on engineers who are able to do some analysis in their head while making decisions about what to do next.
Most engineering jobs involve a mix of all three of these activities, although blending them in different ways. For example, a software engineer asked to build cybersecurity tools will mostly perform design and analysis, while a software engineer asked to conduct a cybersecurity penetration test on a computer system will mostly perform operation and analysis. For a while I worked as an engineer on a submarine, where I did mostly engineering operation with a little bit of engineering analysis. Engineers on the National Transportation Safety Board (ntsb.gov) almost exclusively perform engineering analysis, particularly failure analysis.
Engineering will remain an essential field in the future. Generally, systems are become more complex with new systems being designed and built all the time. Although computer software can be used as a tool during all three of those activities (design, analysis, and operation), we are still some distance away from being comfortable trusting software to make dangerous decisions without first having a human perform some design, perform some analysis, and convincing themselves that the system will behave safely. Human engineers will be needed for a long time.
Anika S
Software Engineer Intern
100
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Sib,
Engineering is a broad field that involves applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, build, and maintain structures, machines, systems, and processes. Engineers use their expertise to solve practical problems and innovate in various industries, ranging from aerospace and automotive to biomedical, environmental, and beyond.
The future of engineering is dynamic and promising, driven by technological advancements and global challenges. Here are key trends shaping the future of engineering:
Technology Integration: Engineering disciplines are increasingly integrating with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency, automation, and innovation across industries.
Sustainability: There is a growing focus on sustainable engineering practices to address climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental impact. Engineers are developing renewable energy technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-friendly processes.
Digital Transformation: Engineering is undergoing a digital transformation with the adoption of digital twins, simulation software, big data analytics, and virtual reality (VR) to streamline design processes, optimize performance, and predict outcomes.
Engineering is a broad field that involves applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, build, and maintain structures, machines, systems, and processes. Engineers use their expertise to solve practical problems and innovate in various industries, ranging from aerospace and automotive to biomedical, environmental, and beyond.
The future of engineering is dynamic and promising, driven by technological advancements and global challenges. Here are key trends shaping the future of engineering:
Technology Integration: Engineering disciplines are increasingly integrating with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency, automation, and innovation across industries.
Sustainability: There is a growing focus on sustainable engineering practices to address climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental impact. Engineers are developing renewable energy technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-friendly processes.
Digital Transformation: Engineering is undergoing a digital transformation with the adoption of digital twins, simulation software, big data analytics, and virtual reality (VR) to streamline design processes, optimize performance, and predict outcomes.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1797
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in engineering. There are different engineering streams: electrical & electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, computer engineering, etc. Each of these streams have its own knowledge domain.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Find out more on different engineering streams and determine what you have interest
2. Attend the information sessions host by engineering faculty of colleges. Speak to the professors and alumni if possible.
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 engineering streams you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Find out more on different engineering streams and determine what you have interest
2. Attend the information sessions host by engineering faculty of colleges. Speak to the professors and alumni if possible.
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 engineering streams you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Sreedhar Chanda
Mechanical Engineer
24
Answers
Kentwood, Michigan
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
- Engineering is about making things that are useful to humans.
- In order to make those things effectively (e.g. in a timely, cost-effective, safety-conscious, environmentally-friendly manner), it is required to learn from lessons of past generations.
- Many past lessons are documented in the form of engineering principles.
- Based on what captures your imagination, you can choose one of those fields of engineering to study.
- Some engineering fields that seem to interest many people:
- Civil: Build houses, buildings, roads, etc.
- Mechanical: Maintain temperature of living space to comfortable level, make machines to help with transportation, washing, etc.
- Electrical: Generate electricity and store electricity for later use.
- Electronics: Make devices that use computer chips, video screen, speakers to help people communicate.
- Software: Make software for fun, education, business, etc.
- It is possible for one person to engineer a product but it often takes a large team of people to build a product that is useful to many people and for many generations.
- The future of engineering is whatever a person makes that is useful to people in future.
- Provide a much faster way to travel to moon or to remote parts of the world.
- Provide a much cheaper way to convert sea water to drinkable water.
- Build faster, more affordable, and more durable houses.
Hope you find engineering exciting and rewarding.
- In order to make those things effectively (e.g. in a timely, cost-effective, safety-conscious, environmentally-friendly manner), it is required to learn from lessons of past generations.
- Many past lessons are documented in the form of engineering principles.
- Based on what captures your imagination, you can choose one of those fields of engineering to study.
- Some engineering fields that seem to interest many people:
- Civil: Build houses, buildings, roads, etc.
- Mechanical: Maintain temperature of living space to comfortable level, make machines to help with transportation, washing, etc.
- Electrical: Generate electricity and store electricity for later use.
- Electronics: Make devices that use computer chips, video screen, speakers to help people communicate.
- Software: Make software for fun, education, business, etc.
- It is possible for one person to engineer a product but it often takes a large team of people to build a product that is useful to many people and for many generations.
- The future of engineering is whatever a person makes that is useful to people in future.
- Provide a much faster way to travel to moon or to remote parts of the world.
- Provide a much cheaper way to convert sea water to drinkable water.
- Build faster, more affordable, and more durable houses.
Hope you find engineering exciting and rewarding.