To all engineers out there: What is it with everyone claiming your title?

[Roger Feeley]

I spent 30 years as a computer programmer. I viewed myself as a blue collar worker in a white collar world. But various companies insisted on calling me a software engineer and it bugged me. To me, engineers are degreed and licensed like doctors and lawyers. Civil engineers put their stamp on their work and go to jail if it's wrong. I held none of those qualifications.

My undergraduate degree was in education with an emphasis in Industrial Arts. I taught for 8 years. About 3 years in, I realized it was a bad fit and started taking community college programming classes. I left teaching and started writing software which was a much better fit for me (and the students).

I think my companies liked to call me an engineer because the title carries some prestige. My gut told me that they were sort of appropriating a title and I never liked it.

I find myself back in the workforce as "Director of Engineering". I actually am a little more comfortable with that. I'm not claiming to be an engineer, just overseeing a bunch of engineers. Sort of like a civilian commander in chief doesn't have to be a soldier.

So, to all you real engineers out there, am I being a bit over-sensitive? I really do respect the education you've attained and the work you do. It seems disrespectful for me to claim your hard-earned title.

[Jim Becker]

I always had an issue with this during those periods of time when my long-time employer in the telecom world insisted that I and my peers use the "Systems Engineer" title but strangely enough, I was "more ok" with Sales Engineer which it ultimately ended up officially being for the last few years prior to retirement. Yes, there was some "engineering" to a great extent in designing "systems" (using various product solutions), but the real engineering was done by real engineers. My degree was in business...logistics specifically, but broad across all business areas. I just happened to have an affinity and aptitude for IT and telecom stuff. My job was to assemble their work into something that fit my clients' needs and sell it to them. (the "sales people" had to get the appointments...) The terms engineer and engineering have evolved in our tech-heavy world from what they once were. Toward your specific question, hopefully there is always some kind of modifier involved, such as "sales", "systems", "solution", etc., just as historically things like "electrical", "mechanical", "structural", etc., have been used for folks who truly did the groundwork to be a "real engineer" to insure there is some clarity.

[Roger Feeley]

I always had an issue with this during those periods of time when my long-time employer in the telecom world insisted that I and my peers use the "Systems Engineer" title but strangely enough, I was "more ok" with Sales Engineer which it ultimately ended up officially being for the last few years prior to retirement. Yes, there was some "engineering" to a great extent in designing "systems" (using various product solutions), but the real engineering was done by real engineers. My degree was in business...logistics specifically, but broad across all business areas. I just happened to have an affinity and aptitude for IT and telecom stuff. My job was to assemble their work into something that fit my clients' needs and sell it to them. (the "sales people" had to get the appointments...) The terms engineer and engineering have evolved in our tech-heavy world from what they once were. Toward your specific question, hopefully there is always some kind of modifier involved, such as "sales", "systems", "solution", etc., just as historically things like "electrical", "mechanical", "structural", etc., have been used for folks who truly did the groundwork to be a "real engineer" to insure there is some clarity.

For me, it was always "Software Engineer". Since there is no formal Software Engineering degree or licensing, I suppose I might have fallen into a category with Sales Engineers.

[John K Jordan]

For me, it was always "Software Engineer". Since there is no formal Software Engineering degree or licensing, I suppose I might have fallen into a category with Sales Engineers.

I designed and created software for special projects until my wrists gave out then switched to scientific 3D modeling and animation. I think they called me a Computing Specialist for a while then later it was the generic Senior Staff. Management even asked once what title I would like. I didn't care since I never went job hunting and never needed a dazzling résumé to trick someone into hiring me.

JKJ

[Roger Feeley]

I designed and created software for special projects until my wrists gave out then switched to scientific 3D modeling and animation. I think they called me a Computing Specialist for a while then later it was the generic Senior Staff. Management even asked once what title I would like. I didn't care since I never went job hunting and never needed a dazzling résumé to trick someone into hiring me.

JKJ

Ha! I worked for one start-up that let us choose titles. One guy chose "Galactic Overlord" and actually got business cards with that.

That was the same company that found out they had to administer drug tests. But no one ever said they had to pay attention to the results. So the joke was that you couldn't be so stoned that you couldn't hit the cup.

Then they found out that they had to have a drug policy. So, "Anyone found with drugs at work has to share."

[Lee Schierer]

Not all engineers are licensed. Most have an engineering degree. A few get licensed.

Everyone wants to be an engineer. I was one for much of my working career but I never got to blow the whistle.

My Grandfather was an Erie RR engineer, he did get to blow the whistle.

I used to list my wife's occupation when we went to trade shows as Domestic Engineer.

[Wade Lippman]

10 years ago I sued for consequential damages from an improper trailer hitch install. The judge was in a quandary; my complaint made much more sense than the defendant's explanation, but I had no expert. The defendant said something particularly foolish; I replied that I was an engineer and I knew that was an outright lie. The judge perked up; if I was an engineer, then I was an expert. He immediately ruled for me.

I got a BSE 30 years earlier and figured that made me an Engineer, despite never working as one. Did it?
But I did have a job doing computer programming, so maybe I did work as an engineer. Very confusing.

[Edwin Santos]

To me, engineers are degreed and licensed like doctors and lawyers.

Over-sensitive? Maybe not, but perhaps a little pendantic.

Insert the word "professional" into your definition above, and I think it will resolve everything.

The term engineer can rightly be used for all sorts of applications ranging from machine and building maintenance to operation of a locomotive train to the person who oversees the engine of an aircraft or vessel, to other more artful applications.
However, a Professional Engineer is generally more regulated and specific a title. Next time you meet an engineer who is qualified to seal drawings, ask for his/her business card, and I will bet good money the title will read Professional Engineer, not just Engineer. I hope this helps,

[Curt Harms]

Over-sensitive? Maybe not, but perhaps a little pendantic.

Insert the word "professional" into your definition above, and I think it will resolve everything.

The term engineer can rightly be used for all sorts of applications ranging from machine and building maintenance to operation of a locomotive train to the person who oversees the engine of an aircraft or vessel, to other more artful applications.
However, a Professional Engineer is generally more regulated and specific a title. Next time you meet an engineer who is qualified to seal drawings, ask for his/her business card, and I will bet good money the title will read Professional Engineer, not just Engineer. I hope this helps,

Terminology might be influenced by culture as well. What are called A & P (airframe & powerplant) mechanics in the U.S. are referred to as engineers in the British Islands of the Caribbean, not sure about Canada. There is specialized training and certification involved so perhaps engineer is more accurate in that case.

[Keith Mombourquette]

I am a registered professional engineer in the province of Ontario. As with most things, context is everything. If someone is using the title "engineer" because it makes them feel good about themselves, that's one thing. If, however, they are representing themselves as having qualifications which they do not have, especially for financial return, then that is a different matter. The Association of Professional Engineers for Ontario frequently prosecutes people for such misrepresentation as do many other jurisdictions. Would you want a doctor who is not qualified to do your open heart surgery?

[Rod Sheridan]

I'm an electrical technologist.

My job function is Maintenance Engineering. In the company I work for, non engineers who perform an engineering function are called Engineering Associates because we aren't engineers and cannot call ourselves such.

That's why my business card say Senior Power Systems Engineering Associate. ( I always joke that it means I hang around in bars with Engineers).

I have friends and family members who are Engineers, they all feel that unless you're a P.Eng, you're not really an Engineer, you simply have a BSc in Engineering.

So yes, people who aren't engineers shouldn't call themselves such. Now there are occupations such as Operating Engineers who are not Engineering people, they're licensed trades people however they have the legal right to use Operating Engineer in their title, a hold over from the early days of steam and "Engineer".............Regards, Rod.

[Stan Calow]

In my state, and I assume others, a business or individual who advertises their services as engineering without a license is subject to fines and cease and desist orders from the state licensing board.

[Todd Mason-Darnell]

I am not an engineer, but I have been in various industries where the "Engineer" title has been used for non-degree'd individuals--e.g. Field Application Engineer. Generally, the tittle is intended to designate a highly technical role where the individual understands the "why" something works and not just the "how" to use it or "how" to fix it when it breaks.

I should point out that I am a Ph.D., but do not require people to address me as "Dr.".

[roger wiegand]

I've never called myself an engineer, but have done a ton of genetic engineering. Though I have a PhD I'd never consider calling myself a doctor.

I aspire to learn to drive a (steam) road locomotive, once I have qualified at that I would consider calling myself an engineer.

Someone calling themselves a licensed professional engineer without the appropriate qualifications would bother me, any other use not so much.

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[Al Launier]

Having received a BSME (Magna Cum Laude) degree many, many years ago I've always considered the person representing themselves as engineers, whether in development/application of engineering principles, as in design, or in actual application of established engineering principles to work related activities. By this I mean that regardless of the engineering degree achieved I've wondered more about the person having the degree, i.e. how well does he present himself in terms of acquired knowledge. Is he/she convincing, does he/she display a broad acumen of his field, do I have to wonder if he/she graduated at the bottom of his/her class, do I feel comfortable with the quality of service he/she is providing me or others, does the person stand behind his/her work, etc.?

In short, I feel the person behind the title, i.e. with demonstration of knowledge & application, is as important as the title itself, and I have to admit bias in that there are distinctions amongst colleges & universities in terms of quality of education. Yet, I fully appreciate that a person at the top of his/her class in a less than ivy league school can be far more capable than one graduating from an ivy league school.

A title is great as it portrays discipline and commitment to acquire the engineering degree, yet I place equal importance on the individual.

As an aside, I wish the politicians were engineers rather than lawyers - at least we could get things done right the first time and get those fixed that weren't!