The future of engineering: embracing change without losing craft

Engineering is changing fast.

Tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and others have fundamentally changed how we build software. Like design, engineering is going through a massive transformation. The loudest voices either cry apocalypse or sing blind praise. The truth, and the opportunity, lies somewhere in the uncomfortable middle.

Let's talk about where we are, and where we're heading.

The major shifts happening in engineering

AI is here to stay

Fighting it is like fighting the internet in the 90s. AI isn't just a new tool. It's becoming a baseline capability. Integrating it thoughtfully into our workflows is essential. Ignoring it isn't a strategy.

So many people are still behaving like Letterman in this video:

The average just leveled up

Boilerplate code, simple functions, and quick fixes are now easier and faster than ever. This raises the baseline but also makes "good enough" more common. Standing out will require more than speed or syntax.

The best engineers are pulling away

Those who already wrote clean, thoughtful code and understood architecture, trade-offs, and real-world constraints are now getting better. They use AI to elevate their craft, not replace their judgment.

Everyone can code

With tools getting simpler, the gap between "I built something" and "I built something good" will widen. Knowing how to build is no longer enough. Knowing what to build, why, and how it fits matters more than ever.

The technical operator is vulnerable

If your skillset is purely knowing which library to install or how to copy a solution from Stack Overflow, AI is already there. Craft, judgment, and creative problem-solving will matter more than rote technical skill.

The engineering leader survives

Not the leader who memorizes syntax, but the one who sees patterns others don't. The one who understands systems, trade-offs, and people. The leader who can guide a team through ambiguity, not just write efficient code.

We'll drown in AI slop

There is a flood of generated code, apps, and features that look fine on the surface but break under pressure. Building with intention and integrity will stand out even more in a world optimized for quantity over quality.

What differentiates great engineers now

Judgment

Not just writing code that works, but writing code that matters. Knowing when to move fast and when to move carefully. Recognizing technical debt before it strangles a system.

Taste

Engineers need taste too. In system design. In code quality. In product thinking. Taste isn't about trends. It's about understanding what is simple, resilient, and right for the problem at hand.

Perspective

Your unique experiences, instincts, and principles shape how you solve problems. AI can generate code, but it can't generate wisdom. Perspective is your fingerprint in a world of sameness.

What I'd tell my younger self today

• Use AI, but stay in control. Don't let it flatten your curiosity or standards.
• Invest in systems thinking. See beyond the next function to the architecture, the dependencies, the trade-offs.
• Cultivate your unique perspective. Let your lived experiences and insights shape your work.
• Practice good taste. Build things that are not just functional, but thoughtfully designed and enduring.

Closing

The future of engineering is bright for those willing to grow alongside the tools, not hide behind them.

Great engineers will combine sharp tools with sharper judgment. They will use AI without losing craft. They will stand out not by producing more, but by building with care, clarity, and vision.

The real opportunity isn't just faster development. It's more meaningful engineering.

PS: If this resonates, I'd love to hear how you're navigating these shifts.