Expert: date=January 2009
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Expert: date=January 2009
An engineer is a skilled technical professional. Engineers are concerned with developing economical and safe solutions to practical problems, by applying mathematics and scientific knowledge while considering technical constraints . The term is derived from the Latin root "ingeniosus," meaning "skilled"Fact: date=April 2009. The industrial revolution and continuing technological developments of the last few centuries have changed the connotation of the term slightly, resulting in the perception of engineers as applied scientistsFact: date=April 2009. The work of engineers is the link between perceived needs of society and commercial applicationsFact: date=April 2009.
Role in society
In addition to machine design, machine research, and machine development, engineers work in production, testing, or maintenance. These engineers determine the causes of component failure, supervise production in factories, and test the manufactured products to maintain quality. Engineers 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 the planning of products, installation, and use. Supervisory engineers are responsible for entire projects or major components. An engineer is a person who may not have the education or training to accomplish every task but has the ability to research and find the resources to accomplish and fulfill the tasks necessary to complete a project at hand. (J.W.Johnson 12-27-53)
Regulation
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 qualification examination (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 (due to historical reasons and tradition). In Greece the title of Engineer is given only to those who have a Diploma, after five-year scientific studying in Engineering University faculties. It is considered a high-level title.]]
Laws exist in the U.S., in Canada and in South Africa that limit the use specific engineer titles, particularly the title of "Professional Engineer." However, most engineers in the U.S. do not become professional engineers. Titles indicating a specific, regulated branch of engineering, such as "civil engineer" or "mechanical engineer" are also regulated. Most U.S. states prohibit unlicensed persons from calling themselves an "engineer" or indicating branches or specialties not covered by the licensing acts. The IEEE's formal position on this is as follows:
