Engineering identity plays a crucial role in shaping students’ motivation, academic success, and career persistence. This research-in-progress aims to refine and expand the Engineering Identity Development Framework for Malaysia through a pilot Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Building on Alison Godwin’s original framework, which includes Recognition, Interest, and Performance/Competence as core domains, this study investigates additional factors that influence engineering identity in the Malaysian context. The findings suggest the emergence of two new domains: Cultural & Societal Influence and Industry Readiness & Employability. These dimensions reflect the unique socio-cultural landscape and the evolving demands of the engineering profession in Malaysia. The pilot FGD reveals that family expectations and societal pressures play a significant role in shaping students’ engineering identity, while exposure to real-world engineering practices is crucial to ensure industry readiness. This study proposes the integration of these additional dimensions into a more localized framework to better support engineering students in Malaysia. The next phase of the research will involve refining the framework based on expert feedback and conducting further FGDs to validate the findings.