The role of the engineer in large enterprises with deep legacy systems is indeed quite like a surgeon, but not for the reason suggested. Rather, it involves del

The role of the engineer in large enterprises with deep legacy systems is indeed quite like a surgeon, but not for the reason suggested. Rather, it involves delicate operations on a complex and confusing object that you didn’t design or build, that maybe nobody really understands in full, where simply locating the problem is more than half the job, where parts depend on other parts in unexpected ways, where one tiny mistake can have catastrophic consequences, and where a litany of credentials and clearances are required before they’ll even let you near the operating table.