This year’s theme “Welcome to the Future” is about celebrating today’s achievements and paving the way for a brighter and more diverse future in engineering.
Engineers Are Shaping the Future.
Engineers Week is both a celebration of engineers and an opportunity to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. We asked a few of our Professional Engineers for their thoughts for the future of Engineering.
Paul J. Parise - Vice President of Pittsburgh Operations, P.E., LEED AP BD+C
What inspires you about Engineering?
There is an attraction to going through the creative process from concept to reality as well as having a deep understanding of how things work. Creating something tangible that has longevity yet impacts people on a daily basis. I also think about engineers 20 to 30 years from now who may find our drawings as a starting point for their project. Often projects start with sorting through drawings existing from some time ago. Knowing your name will be the one they see many years from now has an historical impact on the work we do.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
The world needs engineers now today more than ever to solve many of the problems we face such as resources, energy and impact to the world we live in. We need engineers who can create viable solutions and the technical decision makers who can allow for implementation of the solutions.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
Create positive change for today while also taking into account the impact and needs of future generations. Previously, we only created solutions for today with little or no thought to impact to the future. We now have to deal with these issues as a result – and quickly.
Paul Wolfinger - Manager of Design, Mechanical Engineering, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
I enjoy problem solving and the creative process around designing systems to meet unique applications and custom requirements from our clients.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
The engineering principles we use daily have been around for a very long time. In some cases, it feels like a lot of our theory, equations, properties, and design standards have been unchanged for generations. However, the boom in technology and advancements in computing, electronics, and robotics have changed the curve for the rate with which we are evolving and designing. My hope is that we can embrace these new technologies and capabilities, while still maintaining the best practices and experiences of the past.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
Almost everything in the world around us has been impacted by engineers. From cars to computers to buildings to manufacturing, Engineering has advanced the human race. Engineers have a unique position in that we impact the world with new innovation and also have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of the people and environment.
Michael Kulp - Senior Mechanical Engineer, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
The creative and collaborative process of problem solving. I enjoy working with other engineers and designers to provide systems that meet client requirements or solutions that improve how a client operates its business.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
While I see value in AI, increased automation, and advances in calculation methods, I hope the art of engineering and practicing its principles retains a human and personal touch in every
project.
Jonathan Belinski - Senior Structural Engineer, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
The thing that inspires me about engineering is being able to solve problems for our clients. They have identified a need, whether that be for safety, growth or process improvement. We get to be a part of their solution for success.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
I hope to see more sustainable practices in design, construction materials, and techniques.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
As engineers, I think we are responsible for providing innovative solutions. Sometimes, if it isn’t broke, you shouldn’t fix it. It is also beneficial for our clients and our future success to think innovatively for sustainability, efficiency, or client profitability reasons – or just because we see a way to improve a system. Doing something one way doesn’t always mean that it is the best way.
Alex Lee - Senior Structural Engineer, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
The ability to create practical solutions to complex problems using science and creativity.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
I hope to see some sustainable and innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for people around the world.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
Applying scientific principles to create technologies and infrastructure that address issues like climate change, urbanization, and so on.
Michael Croud - Senior Electrical Engineer, P.E.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
As AI becomes more and more prevalent in our day to day lives, I hope that AI does not entirely take over for human engineers. I feel that we must maintain the connection between humans and critical engineering design, while using AI more as a tool for cross checking and for routine engineering designs that are easily defined by a set of rules and design specifications.
Adam Young - Vice President, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
The opportunity to work with many different people on a wide variety of projects in different geographical locations. I like that my job requires a blend of technical and interpersonal skills, which must be supplemented with real-world experience.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
That investments in infrastructure, development of new technologies, and medical advancements will have a positive impact on a global scale.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
Engineering has a role in not only developing innovating solutions, but also with their implementation. Without people who are skilled in the application of engineering principles, the best that humanity can hope for is maintaining the status quo.
Eric Roth - Manager of Design, Structural Engineering, P.E.
What inspires you about Engineering?
The opportunity to help design and build something that you can point to say, I helped to engineer and build that. There is always inspiration in seeing your designs jump out of the numbers and drawings and into reality.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
To continue to see advances in materials and design to inspire new solutions all around us.
What is Engineering’s vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges?
To find innovative and cost-effective solutions to help all mankind. God gave us an inventive spark, we should be using that spark to be good shepherds of our planet.