How to Think Like an Engineer

Ever wondered how engineers seem to look at the world like it’s one giant DIY project waiting to happen? It’s not magic—it’s a mindset. And the best part? You don’t need a degree (yet!) to start thinking like an engineer. You just need a curious brain, a sprinkle of creativity, and a willingness to dive headfirst into solving problems. Let’s break it down. 

Step 1: See Problems as Puzzles

Engineers don’t freak out when things go wrong, they get excited. A wobbly chair? A chance to tinker around and find a way to fix it. Missing a part while building something? Perfect excuse to find something else that fits in its place. They see problems as puzzles to solve, not roadblocks. So, the next time something doesn’t work, instead of complaining, have fun with it and ask yourself, “What’s a creative way I can fix this?”  

Step 2: Embrace the “What If?” Mentality

Engineers are daydreamers in the best way possible. They’re always asking, “What if?” What if we could build a car that runs on sunlight? What if we could make a building that’s disaster-proof and looks like a work of art at the same time? What if we could build a robot to do our chores? Don’t be afraid to let your imagination go wild. No idea is too crazy, that’s how breakthroughs happen. 

Step 3: Break Big Problems into Bite-Sized Pieces

You wouldn’t try to eat a whole pizza in one bite, so you shouldn’t try to solve huge problems with one quick fix. Engineers chop them into smaller, more manageable pieces and focus on solving each of them, one by one. Whether you’re designing a whole city or simply figuring out how to organise your locker, break it down and tackle it one step at a time. 

Step 4: Fail Forward

  Believe it or not, engineers fail a lot. It’s part of the job. The trick is to treat every mistake as a learning opportunity. Every time something doesn’t work, you’re one step closer to figuring out what does. So, embrace the flops, because they’re the fastest way to learn. 

Step 5: Stay Curious

No matter how experienced they are, engineers never stop learning. They’re always asking questions, experimenting and figuring out how things work. Want to think like an engineer? Start by being curious about the world around you. Take things apart (within reason), watch videos on how roller coasters are made and if you find yourself asking “Why does this work the way it does?” Go find the answer. 

Thinking like an engineer isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about being excited to find them. It’s a great way to go about work but it’s an even better way to go about life in general. If you’re keen to learn more about what it’s like to be an engineer, make sure to check out our new academy, Engineered For Impact.