The problem of the research is due to the need to create a special engineering style of thinking within the digital educational space, which implies readiness for research, creativity, responsibility, and supported by modern high-tech tools in order to provide resources for solving the problems of Industry 4.0. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate and experimentally verify the effectiveness of using 3D technologies for the formation of engineering thinking as an important competence of a high-demand specialist in the digital society. The research methodology is a theoretical and methodological analysis and generalization of fundamental scientific works in the field of digitalization of education, training of engineering and technical personnel, three-dimensional modeling, application of software for the development of thinking. The pedagogical experiment uses the example of assessing the formation of personality qualities and skills that form the basis of engineering thinking. The sign criterion G is used as a method of statistical processing and verification of the reliability of the obtained results. Research results. The authors clarify the concept "engineering thinking" in the context of training specialists for Industry 4.0 and substantiate the potential of 3D technologies for the formation of engineering thinking. They formulate the principles and supporting directions of the mentor of students' research activities in 3D modeling. The authors present a system of work on an interdisciplinary project underlining skills significant for the formation of engineering thinking. The authors come to the conclusion that the use of 3D-technologies in training creates additional conditions for the development of qualities and skills that ensure the integrity of engineering thinking formation as a universal competence of a high-demand professional of the future.