An engineer is a person professionally engaged in a field of engineering. Engineers are concerned with developing economical and safe solutions to practical problems, by applying mathematics and scientific knowledge while considering technical constraints.As such, the work of engineers is the link between perceived needs of society and commercial applications. Some consider this profession to be the link between art and science.
Role in society
In addition to design, and, research and development, many engineers work in testing, production, or maintenance. These engineers supervise production in factories, determine the causes of component failure, and test manufactured products to maintain quality. They also estimate the time and cost to complete projects. Some move into engineering management or into sales. In sales, an engineering background enables them to discuss technical aspects and assist in product planning, installation, and use. Supervisory engineers are responsible for major components or entire projects.
Engineers use computers extensively, for the production and analysis of designs, the simulation and testing of the operation of a machine, structure, or system, and the generation of part specifications. Many engineers also use computers to monitor product quality and control process efficiency.
Regulation
In some countries of Continental Europe and Latin America and also in Turkey, the title is limited by law to people with an engineering degree, and the use of the title by others (even persons with much more work experience) is illegal. In Italy the title is limited to people who, besides holding an engineering degree, have passed a professional abilitation exam (Esame di Stato). In Portugal, professional engineer titles and accredited engineering degrees are regulated and certified by the Ordem dos Engenheiros. In the Czech Republic the title "engineer" (Ing.) is given to people with a (master) degree in chemistry, technology or even economics (the last one is due to the historical reasons and tradition).
Laws exist in all U.S. states, Canada and in South Africa which limit the use of several engineer titles, particularly the title of "Professional Engineer," and often also titles indicating a specific, regulated branch of engineering, such as "civil engineer" or "mechanical engineer." Most U.S. states prohibit unlicensed persons from calling themselves an "engineer" or indicating branches or specialities not covered by the licensing acts. The IEEE's formal position on this is as follows:
"The title, Engineer, and its derivatives should be reserved for those individuals whose education and experience qualify them to practice in a manner that protects public safety. Strict use of the title serves the interest of both the IEEE-USA and the public by providing a recognized designation by which those qualified to practice engineering may be identified. The education and experience needed for the title, Engineer, is evidenced by
-
Graduation with an Engineering degree from an ABET/EAC accredited program of engineering (or equivalent*), coupled with sufficient experience in the field in which the term, Engineer, is used; and/or
Despite these laws, many individuals with no formal education in engineering are still often called engineers in industry because of a long work history of engineering work. The legal situation regarding the title of "engineer" in Canada is unsettled. (See Professional Engineer for more details).
In the United Kingdom, the title of "engineer" is unregulated and is increasingly used to describe trades such as electricians, motor mechanics, gas fitters etc in addition to those engaged in professional engineering.
The word "technologist" is sometimes used synonymously as it derives from the prefix techno- and the suffix -ologist, hence, someone who studies technology. This applies particularly to those European countries with laws regulating the use of the title "engineer." A Technologist supports professional engineers in N America. Technologists can become professional engineers with further academic study - usually 2-3 years of an engineering degree. Regulation of the Technologist title is covered by the Sydney Accord. A UK Incorporated Engineer is equivalent to a Technologist as defined by the Sydney Accord. The I.Eng qualification is administered by the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom.
Education, training & skills
People who work as engineers typically have an academic degree (or equivalent work experience) in one of the engineering disciplines.[3]
Engineers must also have skillset and methodology to problem solving that helps in making effective use of their knowledge base.
-
Self motivated.
-
Enthusiasm to learn about emerging technologies, proprietary hardware/software and applications.
-
Logical approach to problem solving and troubleshooting
-
Detail oriented.
-
Quick thinking.
-
Calm under high pressure situations.
-
Good oral and written business communications, negotiation and time management skills.
-
Leadership skills - Organizing and motivating a group of engineers.
-
Drawing skills - To draw graphical workflow diagrams or CAD schematic drawings.
-
Training and mentoring skills - To train and mentor junior or fellow engineers or operational staff.
Engineering education in the USA
In the United States engineering degrees range from a Bachelor's degree in sciences or engineering (4 years), to a Master's in sciences or engineering (adding 1 or 2 years depending on the university), to a Doctor of Engineering which entails completing original research. Bachelor's and Master's degrees are generally recognized as sufficient qualification in the American labor market. Doctors often go on to teach in engineering schools.
Many American engineering degrees are respected worldwide, from institutions such as U.C. Berkeley, Drexel University, Columbia, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Southern California, Stanford, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Texas A&M University, Texas, and U.C. San Diego which have sizable engineering schools. Institutes of technology, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New Mexico Tech, Colorado School of Mines, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute specialize in engineering education.
At US universities that are generally private, the education practices at each differ greatly. Certain schools, such as Columbia University, have a core course program that requires many non-engineering related classes. American engineers are generally more specialized into a certain realm of engineering, such as Civil Engineer or Electrical Engineer, than their European counterparts. The generalist degree exists, but is very rare, and tends to lead to graduate studies in more specialized engineering fields. The respectability and status of a degree depends largely on the institution that conferred the degree.
All text of this article available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for details).