According to the Encyclopadia Britannica, the establishment of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge (Royal Society), the "oldest national scientific society in the world," was on November 28, 1660. In 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the first professional engineering body, was also set up in London. Ten years later King Georges IV granted ICE its Royal Charter. Throughout the past 200 years, the world, and Western societies in particular, have experienced deep social changes. The engineering profession has not been an exception, and today its ethos is much broader and complex than the roots and conditions that were found at its origins. What elements are required for professional self-awareness in 21st century engineers? Our goal here is to outline these potential characteristics of contemporary engineering.