Enabling a strong U.S. engineering workforce for leadership of technology development and innovation in industry: Critical skill-sets for mid-career development leading to the professional doctor of engineering

Abstract

This is the third of four papers prepared for a special panel session of the National Collaborative Task Force on Engineering Graduate Education Reform that is focusing on the deliberate advancement of professional engineering graduate education to enhance the innovative capacity of the U.S. engineering workforce in industry for global competitiveness. Founded in 2000, the National Collaborative Task Force is an initiative of the ASEE-Graduate Studies Division, Corporate Members Council, and College Industry Partnership Division. The National Collaborative is comprised of leaders from industry, academia, and government all coming together to advance engineering education for the practice of engineering in the national interest. This paper describes the critical innovation skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience factor that is required for mid - career development of engineers for effective engineering leadership of continuous technology development and innovation in industry at the technical program management level. It describes the framework and an integrative educational approach concurrent with engineering practice leading to the professional Doctor of Engineering for responsible engineering leadership of systematic technology development and innovation.