Strengthening the independent cultivation of outstanding engineers plays a crucial role in responding to major national strategic needs, empowering original engineering technology innovation, and building a strong engineering education country. On the basis of briefly describing the strategic significance of autonomous cultivation of outstanding engineers, this paper discusses the historical achievements of autonomous cultivation of outstanding engineers from policy design, reform practice, engineering education research, and quality assurance. Furthermore, from the perspectives of industry education integration, talent cultivation, teacher evaluation, and collaborative governance, the key issues and challenges faced by the cultivation of outstanding engineers are pointed out. Finally, under the coordination of collaborative education and governance communities, innovative paths for promoting the independent cultivation of outstanding engineers under the new national system are pointed out, including student engineering practice, engineering teacher incentives, quality evaluation design, and registered engineers.