Sometimes when I read these the discussions I get the impression that software engineers think "real" engineering is about making life or death decisions all th

Sometimes when I read these the discussions I get the impression that software engineers think "real" engineering is about making life or death decisions all the time, but a lot of the work is so systematized it can turn into enormous amounts of paperwork. Especially as the things you work on become more deadly. Before I went into web development I worked briefly as a mechanical engineer on nuclear power plants, and I feel like I more critical thinking when I'm pushing code to prod than I ever did reviewing load calculations on coolant pipes (despite how important a functioning cooling system might actually be) Also want to point out that most aerospace engineers have no certification outside of a college degree, at least in the US.