Learn all about the engineer archetype, including definition, characteristics, examples and how it relates to the Magician archetype.
What is the Engineer Archetype?
The Engineer archetype is a practical, steady and hands on individual who finds their fulfillment in life through the solving of puzzles and making things work.
The ultimate example of a grounded, methodical worker, they approach life and the problem’s they are presented with using reason, intellect and strategy in order to work to a successful solution. They work towards their goals with precision and conscientiousness in their execution.
Focus on their goals is key to the motivation of the engineer, making them not easily distracted by unimportant matters or human emotion.
Engineer Archetype Characteristics & Traits
- They need quiet time to allow them to think, strategize and steadily execute their actions to succeed.
- Whatever they are working will fully engross them as they enjoy the challenge of working out complex and intricate problems.
- They are able to harness a creative energy into the successful production of an end product rather than just producing and idea and not being able to follow through.
- Where issues would frustrate and defeat others the engineer finds their inspiration and uses their persistence to complete the task despite the odds.
- However, the archetypal engineer can also be someone who has difficult in dealing with the complexities of human emotion, preferring instead the predictable and reliable world of logic and method.
- They can, though, have a talent for manipulation, engineering situations to their own advantage rather than being concerned with what impact this may have on those around them.
- The engineer also has a tendency towards perfectionism and, if unable to achieve this, can be highly self-critical.
- They can set unrealistic expectations for themselves and then struggle to understand why they are unable to meet these.
Engineer Archetype Examples
An example of the engineer archetype is British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, widely considered one of the most gifted and prolific figures in engineering history.
Brunel’s engineering transformed the landscape of Britain and it’s public transport in the 19th century, with creations such as the Great Western Railway, numerous dockyards, the first tunnel under the River Thames, numerous bridges (including the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol) and the first propeller-driven transatlantic steamship.
Other notable examples of the engineer archetype include Imhotep, the architect of the Ancient Egyptian Pharoah Djoser who created the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and Sir Christopher Wren, architect of many of London’s post-Great Fire churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral.
Further reading on the engineer archetype includes:
- The Empathetic Engineer: A short story portraying the software engineer archetype – by Hussein Nasser
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel: The Life of an Engineering Genius Paperback – by Colin Maggs MBE
- Imhotep – by Jerry Dubs