THE T-SHAPED DESIGN ENGINEER – USING COHORTS TO EXPLORE HOW SKILLS PROFILES DIFFER THROUGH CAREER STAGES

Abstract The T-Shaped designer has previously been identified as a design engineer with the desirable set of skills for successful career. Twelve engineers ranging from novice to expert, were interviewed gain an understanding their skill set, how it evolved and needs evolve in order be futureproofed. With use qualitative, quantitative data development novel engineering profiling method, this paper found that 75% did not exhibit T-shaped profile, but shape termed ‘M-shaped’ or ‘Comb-shaped’. majority participants exhibited great depth specialist multiple disciplines, limited immediate field work. All wide knowledge allowed them work across different which included electronics, management manufacturing, so vertical bar T-Shape predicted by previous literature supported.