Abstract: Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for turbine engine components are applied over engineered surface features (ESFs) that are formed in the component substrate or within intermediate layers applied between the substrate and the TBC. The ESFs help anchor the TBC layer and/or localize cracks that are bounded by one or more of the ESFs. During engine operation the ESFs arrest thermal stress-or foreign object damage (FOD)-induced crack propagation within the TBC that might otherwise allow excessive TBC spallation and subsequent thermal exposure damage to the turbine component underlying substrate. In some embodiments, the ESFs are combined with engineered groove features that are formed in the TBC.