>an engineer is someone who has a degree in engineering Some would define it differently as someone who has an engineering license. There are States who have a

>an engineer is someone who has a degree in engineering Some would define it differently as someone who has an engineering license. There are States who have actually presented lawsuits aimed at preventing people from describing themselves "engineer" if they don't have that license. And, while an engineering degree is the more common first step in the licensing procedure, it's possible for one to get a license without an engineering degree. In the legal sense, they are more of an engineer than someone with a degree and no license. Regarding the plumber, I think the mechanical engineer who designs the plumbing system would be the engineer, while the plumber is the technician. Just like the electrical engineer designs the system but an electrician installs it. Both roles are equally important but shouldn't be conflated.