5 Principles to Become an Outstanding Engineer – Insights from Lu Qi

In a recent Engineering Leadership Talk, Lu Qi, a computer‑science PhD and former Baidu executive, outlined five requirements that apply to every software developer.

1. Believe in Technology

Lu Qi stresses that the world is ultimately driven by technology; companies like Baidu succeed by maintaining an unwavering belief in technical progress and by learning from pioneers such as Bill Gates, who said software shapes the future.

2. Innovate on the Shoulders of Giants

Engineers should first check whether a problem has already been solved and then focus their effort on better innovation, avoiding redundant code and leveraging existing modules, services, and platforms that raise the starting point for new work.

3. Pursue Engineering Excellence

Excellence is a relentless, team‑wide pursuit: every engineer must aim to be the best in the industry, using top‑tier tools and weapons, just as a military builds the strongest force.

4. Learn Every Day

Continuous learning is vital; engineers should treat themselves as evolving software, improving version after version, and broaden their knowledge beyond pure computer science to fields like economics, physics, biology, and product strategy.

5. Ownership

Take personal responsibility: spot opportunities and problems, act without waiting for others, and fix issues directly. Treat the company’s mission as your own, embodying the principle “Own everything.”

Lu Qi concludes that technology can simplify a complex world, and by embracing these five principles, engineers can create lasting value for users, enterprises, and society.