The third annual Digital Engineering Awards brought together over 100 global engineering leaders and standout individual contributors to celebrate excellence in digital engineering. Hosted in Dallas, Texas, the awards gala, co-hosted by ISG, L&T Technology Services (LTTS), and CNBC-TV18, recognized 35 leading organizations and 14 individuals from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific for their groundbreaking contributions. Their work is shaping technology, sustainability, and the future of engineering across key areas such as Mobility, Sustainability, and Technology. The event organizers emphasized that the awards are “a testament to the transformative potential of digital engineering.”
This year’s nominations soared to over 230, reflecting the expanding prominence of digital engineering across industries. Innovators from sectors such as automotive, industrial products, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, medtech, and telecommunications were among those submitting their initiatives. Notably, the event introduced two new categories focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI, spotlighting the transformative potential of these emerging technologies.
The winners were awarded in two major segments: ‘Engineering the Change’ and ‘Engineer at Heart.’ These awards recognized extraordinary achievements at both the enterprise and individual levels, with winners excelling in categories such as sustainability, digital products, and the application of emerging technologies. Submissions were rigorously evaluated by a panel of global experts, including academics, industry leaders, and innovation specialists. Judges included Prof. Jim Austin (Wharton Business School and Brown University), Prof. (Dr.) Marcos Kauffman (Coventry University), Neelu Sethi (Brinks Inc.), Vanessa Eriksson (GiTN), and representatives from ISG, such as Steve Hall and Prashant Kelker. The panel assessed submissions based on innovation, precision in delivery, tangible business impact, and sustainable value creation.
Michael P. Connors, Chairman and CEO of ISG, highlighted the importance of the awards: “Digital engineering continues to redefine nearly every facet of modern life — from clean energy to healthcare innovations and more. This year’s Digital Engineering Awards spotlight the remarkable advancements driving global progress. The surge in nominations is a testament to how digital engineering increasingly anchors industries and infrastructures worldwide and showcases the strength of this recognition program.”
S. Shivakumar, CEO of News18 Studios, expressed pride in supporting the platform, stating, “These stories of innovation inspire industries to push boundaries and deliver impactful solutions. Our partnership underscores our commitment to celebrating the exceptional talent shaping the future of digital engineering.”
Amit Chadha, CEO and Managing Director of L&T Technology Services, noted the growing diversity in this year’s submissions, including increased representation of women engineers. He said, “It is uplifting to see more women designing, innovating, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve challenges and shape a better tomorrow. We remain steadfast in recognizing and celebrating extraordinary organizations and individual engineers who are tirelessly shaping a brighter future through purposeful and agile innovation.”
Standout winners hailed from across the globe. North American companies demonstrated leadership in innovation, with over 150 submissions from the region. Europe and Asia-Pacific also showcased momentum in leveraging digital engineering for efficiencies, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Engineering the Change (Team Awards)
Digital Transformation of the Year:
- Champion: Union Pacific Railroad – Technology innovation for safety and reputation enhancement.
- Challenger: Dow – Digital innovation in paints and coatings with DOW™ Paint Vision.
- Commendable: Nestlé India Limited – Connected, intelligent, and automated “Factory of the Future.”
Top Sustainability Initiative:
- Champion: AT&T – Climate Resilient Communities Initiative.
- Challenger: Telangana Police, India – GIS-based Ganesh Pandals monitoring and immersion tracking.
- Commendable: Chennai Smart City Limited – Eco-friendly transportation initiatives using digital technologies.
AI Impact of the Year:
- Champion: SymphonyAI – AI-powered industrial operations with SymphonyAI IRIS Foundry.
- Challenger: Dell – AI innovation through Dell Technologies AI Factory.
- Commendable: Aspen Technology – Strategic planning for sustainability pathways with AI.
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), and Kate Montgomery (Condé Nast).
AI Innovator of the Year:
- Deven Panchal (AT&T), Shiv Udkar (AMD Inc.), and Vaibhav Lodhi (CNH).
The Digital Engineering Awards continue to inspire the global engineering community, setting benchmarks for innovation and sustainability while recognizing individuals and organizations that are redefining the future of engineering.
