You are discussing about the university degree (as the parent did), but there are other usages of the word "ingénieur" in France beside diplomas. In France "In

You are discussing about the university degree (as the parent did), but there are other usages of the word "ingénieur" in France beside diplomas. In France "Ingénieur" is also a civil servant title, or a title given to someone who did that job and is now retired (I am "Ingénieur honoraire" and have a master but no "Ingénieur" diploma).