I'm not trying to make a point (namely, that programming isn't engineering) here, but for kicks, here's something I was told by an experienced (mechanical) engi

I'm not trying to make a point (namely, that programming isn't engineering) here, but for kicks, here's something I was told by an experienced (mechanical) engineer when I obtained my engineering license after 3 years experience as a junior engineer (aka Engineer In Training in a lot of jurisdictions): "The only difference now is that you'll constantly have an ethical and deontological loop running in your head." As an licensed Engineer (once again, PE in most jurisdictions, Quebec just can't agree on using the same terms as everyone else), you have an ethical, deontological and legal obligation to ensure that your work conforms to the "state of the art". You constantly have to think about the consequences of your work on everyone downstream, from workers on the shop floor, to the final customers, maintenance workers, etc. It's not so much about the actual work (many drafters, technologists, etc could often do something an engineer has done), but about the profound care that went into making sure it was right.