Engineering Simplicity in a Complex World: Frederic Lauzier Urges Industry to Prioritise Resilient, Intuitive Systems

Globe and Mail

6 hours ago

Seasoned engineer highlights the urgent need for cross-functional collaboration, smart automation, and mentorship in transforming outdated infrastructure
Electrical engineer and systems innovator Frederic Lauzier is raising his voice to advocate for a shift in how engineering teams tackle modernisation. In a recent in-depth interview, Lauzier shared insights from his 15+ year career in power systems, embedded technology, and sustainable automation—calling on industry leaders to simplify, future-proof, and humanise complex engineering processes.
'I believe good engineering is simple, strong, and intuitive,' Lauzier said in the interview. 'That's harder to achieve than it sounds. But when it works, you know it immediately.'
A Call to Modernise with Purpose
Lauzier's message comes at a time when ageing infrastructure and siloed engineering practices are holding back progress. According to a 2024 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 60% of industrial facilities in North America are operating with outdated control systems, limiting energy efficiency and automation capabilities.
Lauzier has led initiatives to retrofit legacy manufacturing facilities, using predictive maintenance and real-time data systems to extend operational life while reducing downtime. These interventions not only boost efficiency but also cut costs—by up to 30% in some cases, according to industry estimates.
'We worked with one client whose factory hadn't been updated in decades,' Lauzier recalled. 'They thought they'd need to shut down for months. Instead, we built a system that worked alongside their existing setup. That kept them running and gave them real insight into their energy use.'
Bridging the Hardware–Software Divide
A central theme of Lauzier's advocacy is improving communication between hardware and software teams—a common obstacle in fast-moving tech environments. Misalignment can delay development, compromise safety, and waste valuable resources.
'Hardware engineers and software developers sometimes speak very different languages,' Lauzier explained. 'I see myself as a bridge. I try to translate what one group needs in terms the other can act on.'
He encourages engineering leaders to embrace cross-disciplinary training, open documentation, and collaborative design reviews—measures shown to improve project outcomes and reduce integration time by up to 40% in some sectors.
Mentorship: The Hidden Engine of Innovation
Lauzier is also a vocal supporter of mentorship and peer learning, which he credits as vital to his own success. A 2023 Engineering UK study found that over 70% of early-career engineers are more likely to remain in the field if they have access to mentorship and development support.
'No one does this alone,' Lauzier said. 'I had great mentors. Now, I help junior engineers with certifications, design reviews—even how to explain their work clearly. That's how we keep moving forward.'
The Road Ahead: What You Can Do
Lauzier isn't just speaking to executives—he's calling on every engineer, manager, and student to take part in building stronger systems and smarter teams:
Ask tough questions about legacy processes and automation potential.
Document and share your work to improve collaboration.
Mentor someone, or seek mentorship yourself—every connection matters.
Stay curious and keep learning, especially in emerging fields like cybersecurity and machine learning.
'Engineering, for me, has never been just a job,' Lauzier said. 'It's how I understand the world. And the more we share that understanding, the better systems we can build.'
To read more, visit the website here.
About Frederic Lauzier
Frederic Lauzier is a Quebec-based electrical engineer with a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has led innovations in power grid optimisation, embedded systems, and sustainable automation across the energy, transport, and telecom sectors. He is an active participant in IEEE, a mentor to junior engineers, and a lifelong student of emerging technologies.
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