Engineers help turn scientific discoveries into things that improve everyday life. They build bridges and design new technology.
Definition
In 1961, some groups of engineers from Europe and America talked about what it means to be a professional engineer. A professional engineer uses what they have learned to help solve problems with science. They can lead projects, guide teams, and teach others what they know. Their work is thoughtful and different each day, needing new ideas and careful decisions. They keep learning about new discoveries and can give advice on big tasks.
Roles and expertise
Engineers make new technology to solve problems. They start by learning about the problem, then find the best way to solve it. This means they spend time researching and collecting information.
Engineers conferring on prototype design, 1954
Engineers also use science to test and improve products. They might study why something isn’t working and discover how to make it better. Many use computers to help design and test their ideas.
Most engineers focus on one area, like building structures or creating machines. Their work combines technical skills with teamwork and using computers to find information.
Photograph of the Engineering group, sculpted by John Lawlor, Albert Memorial
There are many kinds of engineering, each focusing on different technologies and products. Engineers usually become experts in one area while also learning basics about related fields. For example, students studying mechanical engineering will often take introductory classes in electrical engineering, computer science, materials science, and math.
Engineers can work for companies that always need engineers, or they might work for firms that give advice to other companies. When making a new product, engineers often work together in teams with different skills. For instance, building a robot might need a mechanical engineer to design its body, an electrical engineer to handle its power and sensors, and a software engineer to program how it acts.
Focuses on the engineering, science, and technology for the production and processing of food from agriculture, such as the production of arable crops, soft fruit and livestock. A key goal of this discipline is to improve the efficacy and sustainability of agricultural practices for food production.
Focuses on application of science and engineering principles to protect people, property, and their environments from the harmful and destructive effects of fire and smoke.
Focuses on the use of applied science and technology to extract various minerals from the earth, not to be confused with metallurgical engineering, which deals with mineral processing of various ores after they have already been mined
Engineers have important duties to help keep people safe. There are rules to guide engineers in making good choices.
Some engineering students in North America may receive a special ring to wear. This tradition began in Canada in 1925 and later spread to the United States. The ring reminds engineers to do their best in their jobs.
An engineer receiving his Order of the Engineer ring
Education
Most engineering programs focus on one area of engineering. Students study math and science. Many programs include general engineering and accounting. A design course, often with a computer or lab class, is usually part of the program. Some programs also require courses in social sciences or humanities.
Accreditation checks if engineering programs meet certain standards. The Washington Accord is an international agreement that recognizes similar standards across many countries. In the United States, engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
In many countries, big engineering jobs like building bridges or designing power plants need to be checked by a licensed professional engineer. These engineers often put special letters like PE or P.Eng after their names to show they are licensed.
In the United States, to become a licensed engineer you usually need education, to pass exams, and several years of work experience. Each state has its own rules for licensing engineers. Some states let people be called engineers if they work for a company and are watched by a licensed engineer, but these people cannot offer engineering services to the public by themselves.
Definition by country
The word "engineer" means different things in different countries.
In places like the Indian subcontinent, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and China, many people want to study engineering. They take hard exams to get into engineering school.
In Egypt, becoming an engineer is a very respected career, almost as respected as being a doctor. Students need very high marks to enter engineering colleges at Egyptian universities.
Archimedes is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity whose ideas have underpinned much of the practice of engineering.
In the Philippines and among Filipino communities overseas, engineers—whether Filipino or not—are called "Engineer" instead of "Mr." or "Ms."
Since 2022, 32 countries in Europe, including most of the European Union, recognize the title "European Engineer." This lets a person use "EUR ING" before their name. Each country decides who can use this title, and people must apply and pay a fee. Once approved, they can use the title on their passport and work as an engineer in any of these countries.
France
19th-century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel by the launching chains of the SS Great Eastern.
In France, anyone can call themselves an engineer. But there is a special title, "graduate engineer," that is protected by law. Only people who earn a Diplôme d'Ingénieur from certain top schools may use it. These schools are very famous and helped build modern France.
Italy
In Italy, only people with an engineering degree can call themselves an engineer. They can use the title "Ing." instead of "Mr." or "Ms."
United Kingdom
Gustave Eiffel was a French civil engineer.
In the UK, anyone can call themselves an engineer, but there are special titles like "chartered engineer" that need approval from the Engineering Council.
Many skilled workers in the UK, like those fixing home appliances or phones, also call themselves engineers.
North America
Canada
In Canada, only licensed engineers can call themselves "Professional Engineer," shown by the letters "P.Eng." Using this title without permission is against the law.
Umberto Nobile was an aeronautical engineer and Arctic explorer.
But many other jobs, like Software Engineer, Canadian Military roles, train drivers, and airplane mechanics, also use the word "engineer" without being licensed.
United States
In the United States, only licensed people can call themselves "professional engineer." Each state decides who can use this title.
Spanish-speaking countries
In some Spanish-speaking countries, engineers use the title "Ing." before their name, like in Italy. But in Spain, this is not common.
The engineering job is very respected in Spain, almost as much as being a doctor or teacher.
Images
Leonardo da Vinci's sketch of an early flying machine concept from the 15th century.Leonardo da Vinci's early sketch of a flying machine, showing his creative ideas about aviation.Engineers and technicians work inside the Launch Control Center during a test for the Apollo 12 moon mission.
Safekipedia
