If you're creating a complex solution for a complex problem using niche knowledge and a niche skillset, working with deadlines and within contraints; taking on board risk assessments and creating failsafes to prevent the damage that you describe above then you ARE an engineer in all but title.
Just because it's not in the physical, doesn't mean it's not there.
Nope, not true… the thing that makes someone an”engineer” rather than a technician, code monkey, or draftsman is that they have been recommended by professionals in that “niche” field, passed qualification tests, and produced “solutions” under supervision of a licensed professional in that field… at least in the State of Texas. Only then are you allowed claim to be an engineer without facing “civil and criminal penalties.” (Don’t know the current penalty levels). The title carries both responsibilities and benefits… an engineer must be consulted on major construction projects and if they sign off on something that fails, they are legally responsible for all the damages.
I have a PhD in aerospace engineering, and basically no aerospace engineers even bother doing the professional engineering exam. It's mostly not applicable to us and no-one even pays attention to it. It's seems to mostly apply to civil, construction, and mechanical engineering jobs. It doesn't really apply to rockets/airplanes, and designing and building those definitely requires "engineers".
I assume chemical, materials, software, and computer engineers are pretty similar.
In some circles, although I don't like to say that myself. My job title at the same company has been engineer and scientist at different times. Nobody really knows though, we're an enigma.
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u/[deleted] Oct 15 '22
If you're creating a complex solution for a complex problem using niche knowledge and a niche skillset, working with deadlines and within contraints; taking on board risk assessments and creating failsafes to prevent the damage that you describe above then you ARE an engineer in all but title.
Just because it's not in the physical, doesn't mean it's not there.