The third annual Digital Engineering Awards convened over 100 global engineering leaders and standout individual contributors to honor excellence in digital engineering. Held in Dallas, Texas, the awards gala was co-hosted by ISG, L&T Technology Services (LTTS), and CNBC-TV18. This year’s ceremony celebrated the achievements of 35 leading organizations and 14 exceptional individuals from North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Their groundbreaking innovations are revolutionizing technology, sustainability, and the future of engineering across key segments like Mobility, Sustainability, and Technology.
A Platform for Recognition and Innovation
The Digital Engineering Awards were described by the event hosts as “a testament to the transformative potential of digital engineering.” This year’s nominations reached an impressive total of over 230, reflecting the growing importance of digital engineering across industries. Submissions came from innovators spearheading change in crucial sectors, including automotive, industrial products, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, medtech, and telecommunications. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (Gen AI) featured prominently, with two new award categories introduced to acknowledge initiatives shaping this emerging landscape.
Honoring Excellence
Awards were presented in two main segments—‘Engineering the Change’ and ‘Engineer at Heart—recognizing extraordinary achievements at both organizational and individual levels. Winners emerged from eleven distinct award categories, highlighting excellence in sustainability, digital product innovation, and the application of emerging technologies.
A panel of global experts evaluated submissions using criteria such as innovation, precision in delivery, tangible business impact, and sustainable value creation. Esteemed judges included Prof. Jim Austin from Wharton Business School and Brown University, Prof. (Dr.) Marcos Kauffman from Coventry University, and industry leaders from organizations like Brinks Inc., Girls in Tech Nordics, and ISG.
Celebrating Global Impact
Michael P. Connors, Chairman and CEO of ISG, remarked, “Digital engineering continues to redefine nearly every facet of modern life—from clean energy to healthcare innovations and beyond. This year’s Digital Engineering Awards spotlight the remarkable advancements that are driving global progress.” Connors noted the significant increase in nominations, underscoring the growing influence of digital engineering on global industries and infrastructure.
S. Shivakumar, CEO of News18 Studios, highlighted the importance of the platform, stating, “These stories of innovation inspire industries to push boundaries and deliver impactful solutions. The partnership reflects our dedication to celebrating innovators driving industry transformation.”
Amit Chadha, CEO & Managing Director of L&T Technology Services, emphasized the diversity and innovation showcased this year, particularly noting the increasing involvement of women engineers. “We remain steadfast in recognizing extraordinary organizations and individual engineers shaping a brighter future through purposeful, agile innovation,” he said.
Regional Highlights and Notable Winners
Submissions from North America demonstrated a continued leadership in innovation, accounting for over 150 nominations. Europe and the Asia-Pacific also showcased strong momentum, leveraging digital engineering for enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Key awards included:
Engineering the Change (Team Awards)
- Digital Transformation of the Year:
- Champion: Union Pacific Railroad (for technology innovation improving safety and reputation)
- Challenger: Dow (for pioneering digital innovation in paints and coatings with DOW™ Paint Vision)
- Commendable: Tenneco (for neural network-driven suspension development) and Sundaram Clayton Ltd. (for private 5G network initiatives).
- Top Sustainability Initiative:
- Champion: AT&T (for the Climate Resilient Communities Initiative)
- Challenger: Telangana Police, India (GIS-enabled monitoring) and Vanderlande (remanufactured spare parts).
- Commendable: Chennai Smart City Limited (eco-friendly transportation initiatives).
- AI Impact of the Year:
- Champion: SymphonyAI (for AI-powered industrial operations)
- Challenger: Dell (AI innovation with AI Factory) and Philips (AI-based personalized X-ray imaging).
- Commendable: Aspen Technology (sustainability planning) and Prayagraj Smart City Limited (AI in crowd management).
Engineer at Heart (Individual Awards)
- Distinguished Digital Engineering Leader: Amy Wheelus (Gigapower), Asha Poulose Johnson (GE Healthcare), and Kazuhiko Maruyama (Honda).
- Digital Engineer of the Year: Andy Vitale (Caterpillar), Evan Ren (Dow), and Jyothi Gangadharan (Patient Point).
- Woman Engineer of the Year: Anita Routray (Uber), Jaya Jagadish (AMD India Private Limited), and Kate Montgomery (Condé Nast).
- Innovator of the Year: Carlos Yengle (Chevron) and Gaurav Saxena (ITL – Sonalika).
- AI Innovator of the Year: Deven Panchal (AT&T), Shiv Udkar (AMD Inc.), and Vaibhav Lodhi (CNH).
The Digital Engineering Awards continue to spotlight and celebrate the transformative power of engineering and innovation. As global industries increasingly integrate digital technologies, the awards serve as a vital platform to recognize the talent and creativity that drive meaningful change. With a growing emphasis on sustainability, diversity, and emerging technologies, the future of digital engineering is poised for even greater achievements.
