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This is a bit off-topic, and is probably a naïve question, so forgive me in advance for both. I've always been under the impression that "engineer" was a prote

This is a bit off-topic, and is probably a naïve question, so forgive me in advance for both. I've always been under the impression that "engineer" was a protected professional title, just like "medical doctor" or "lawyer", at least in part because there are certain legal responsibilities that come with the title. It's thus a little confusing to see the title being used, here on HN and elsewhere, by self-taught folks who have not gone through any formal education or professional accreditation. In fact, it seems that "dev" and "engineer" are used essentially interchangeably, only sometimes depending on whether the particular employment involves actual engineering. Does this mean that "engineer" is no longer considered a protected title? Or are software engineering and development (in the real world) considered so similar as to be indistinguishable? I'm asking out of genuine curiosity.

freeone3000 6y ago
The National Society of Professional Engineers has managed to claim "Professional Engineer", "PE", and "EIT". They also have claim over "engineer" when used as self-promotion as a business or an independent contractor. However, they weren't able to have the claim on it as a job title stick. So, assuming you don't have PE quals: your consulting firm could not be gwerbret Engineering. Your job title at Microfang could be Software Development Engineer.
unbalancedevh 6y ago
I got my engineering degree almost 30 years ago, and at my first job was working with other "engineers" who did not have a degree. I was dismayed at first, but got over it. I think it only matters if you're offering services to the public as an engineer, or if you're doing public-works projects. Then you need to be licensed as a Professional Engineer.
arminiusreturns 6y ago
>I've always been under the impression that "engineer" was a protected professional title Based on what? I always thought it was well known that there is pretty much no such thing in the IT world, and beyond that, Americans tend to as whole disdain the old worlds fascination with titles and the people in America who use and abuse them (lawyers are some of the shittiest people)... so perhaps you aren't American?

freeone3000 6y ago

The National Society of Professional Engineers has managed to claim "Professional Engineer", "PE", and "EIT". They also have claim over "engineer" when used as self-promotion as a business or an independent contractor. However, they weren't able to have the claim on it as a job title stick. So, assuming you don't have PE quals: your consulting firm could not be gwerbret Engineering. Your job title at Microfang could be Software Development Engineer.

unbalancedevh 6y ago

I got my engineering degree almost 30 years ago, and at my first job was working with other "engineers" who did not have a degree. I was dismayed at first, but got over it. I think it only matters if you're offering services to the public as an engineer, or if you're doing public-works projects. Then you need to be licensed as a Professional Engineer.

arminiusreturns 6y ago

>I've always been under the impression that "engineer" was a protected professional title Based on what? I always thought it was well known that there is pretty much no such thing in the IT world, and beyond that, Americans tend to as whole disdain the old worlds fascination with titles and the people in America who use and abuse them (lawyers are some of the shittiest people)... so perhaps you aren't American?