The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: firewalker on February 27, 2015, 09:35:02 PM
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What do you engineers make, or design, or ... what do you do all day?
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I engineer software. More specifically, tools that the other software engineers in the company use in order to efficiently engineer the software that actually makes the company money.
In my free time, I engineer web applications and my own little herd of servers and virtual machines.
And when I've had enough of that, I go out to the garage and work on my motorcycle.
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Software Engineer. I work on enterprise software that gives tailored Security advice to developers working on software that needs good security. Basically our software attempts to push the security phase earlier into designing so that major issues can be avoided to save money. That and we hook into all sorts of other developer systems for maximum convenience.
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I think this was already posted: http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/the-art-of-not-working-at-work/
Only joking! ;)
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Industrial telecommunication design and permitting and traffic engineering.
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Electrical, Switchboards.
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Software that flies spaceships. Also, spacecraft orbits.
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I engineer software. More specifically, tools that the other software engineers in the company use in order to efficiently engineer the software that actually makes the company money.
+1
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I started out as an Electronics engineer (some of my stuff may still be flying in space for the Indian Space program), then switched to software.
Now, I have gone over to the dark side, helping Wall St. (and me) make money ;-)
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In a perfect world these folks would get paid what the bankers and lawyers get paid. Maybe when the robots take over they will grant higher pay to the STEM folks. Kudos to all the engineers who make our world go.
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What do you engineers make, or design, or ... what do you do all day?
I'm a computer engineer by training but spent 10yrs after school in the army doing anything but that.
Got out of military and did grad studies in GPS engineering and project management.
Ended up doing technical project management\quality management for a variety of projects from building equipment to uxo clearance of large tracts of land.
Currently doing PM and QA work in aerospace composites.
Looking back over the last 26 yrs since school I used my engineering education a lot but never did really do any engineering.
-- Vik
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In a perfect world these folks would get paid what the bankers and lawyers get paid. Maybe when the robots take over they will grant higher pay to the STEM folks. Kudos to all the engineers who make our world go.
We have talked some about this effect at work, wondering what the effect of unionizing would be on software development/engineering/IT professional fields.
But - how do you define what an engineer does? Most unions exist by clear role definition. Engineering is, "whatever this problem requires to fix." It basically breaks down the concept of unions nearly by definition.
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Engineering is, "whatever this problem requires to fix." It basically breaks down the concept of unions nearly by definition.
Another software engineer - work on a federal welfare program for my state. Perfect description of the job "whatever is required".
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Develop instruments which control gas flow into semiconductor tools which make silicon wafers.
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1st post on this site here \o/
I'm a mechanical engineer and we make machines that put together small complex parts and devices for medical, consumer products and automotive industries in high volume (usually 60 ppm).
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Mostly sewer systems. Sometimes water. Its not exactly glamorous, but its a fairly universal need.
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Air traffic management systems. Primarily early research, concept development, integration, and prototyping.
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Mostly building sites and stormwater management. Occasionally a road or water main or sewer.
Currently, a building that captures rainwater and treats it in the basement for drinking, and treats wastewater in an artificial wetland.
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I build software, although what I'm building depends on the current project which changes every 3-12 months. Last 2 years have been mostly mobile apps though which has been fun.
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I build software, although what I'm building depends on the current project which changes every 3-12 months.
Same. Right now: software that helps intelligence analysts view/manipulate/compare radar data.
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Electrical engineer here. PhD student researching limits on capacity while communicating wirelessly without being detected.
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Currently software for a university: various portal applications, profile management, single-sign-on and identity management components, curriculum definition and course registration software and so on...
+1 to "develop and fix <stuff> as needed." Every quarter or so at least one project closes and another opens up, I tend to work 2-3 simul because they are not overwhelmingly complicated. And there's an ongoing stream of things that break -- or bugs that are discovered -- that need fixing.
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I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you.
Just kidding kind of...software on some society beneficial products. I like the big picture thinking involved in getting new features done. I don't like the detailed logistics and work required in actually getting it done. Right now I'm in the big picture phase of a new feature. I'm also working with a fun group of people and get to (or rather decide to) inject fun into every day.
So I am liking work these days...sans the commute and time constraints working requires.
This is a nice place to be in one or two years from FIRE. I'm hoping to go out with some positive vibes and a good feeling about the work I put in. Then it's time for FIRE with more active pursuits.
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Software defined networking products.
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Telecommunications networks.
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Materials engineer. I've worked on developing titanium extrusion processes, manufacturing/inspecting methods for new product, troubleshooting of issues, tested product to verify it meets standards etc. Now I'm doing a PhD in solid state welding of magnesium. Lots of interesting stuff, but a lot of time polishing tiny pieces of metal too. I'm amazed by how much time I spend fiddling with software, writing macros, matlab etc. I wish my undergrad had spent a bit more time on that and less on differential equations which I have never even used once.
Actually, has any one here ever used differential equations for anything practical/applied?
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I'm amazed by how much time I spend fiddling with software, writing macros, matlab etc. I wish my undergrad had spent a bit more time on that and less on differential equations which I have never even used once.
Actually, has any one here ever used differential equations for anything practical/applied?
Never used differential equations. I've used a lot of linear algebra and Matlab though.
Most useful class I took in undergrad was a class in numerical methods. Half of it was theory, half of it was how to do stuff in Matlab. And all the projects were in Matlab. I learned a ton about numerical methods of solving differential equations, nonlinear systems, integration, etc. And a lot of Matlab specific tricks.
I actually use that class more often than my information theory and digital signal processing classes, which are what my research is based on.
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Hardware/firmware engineer. Design boards and firmware for stuff on boards. Sometimes higher-level software too.
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Software engineer here. Write software the tracks maintenance for manufacturing facilities.
I've used differential equations a couple times in predictive algorithms.
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I'll reply for SO. Electrical engineer, does control systems work. Industrial settings.
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Metallurical engineering was my background in school. I help engineer a steel manufacturing process. Primarily on the liquid metal side of the shop.
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Aerospace engineer here. More specifically, aircraft structures engineer. I size/analyze aircraft structures to make sure they are strong enough so as to not break. I've worked on the F-35, Ch-53k helicopter, Gulfstream 650, Airbus A350 and a few others.
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I question if my job is true engineering sometimes, but I am an audio engineer.
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Currently, I design plant layouts and design of storage systems (think amazon) and operations for improved efficiency, safety, and less ulitity usage... For new build and expansions.
I also help clients get more production out of existing space and improve logistics/ loading facilities...saving from uneccessary capital and resource costs, and saving them a lot of money in the process.
Hubby is student and works part time as a tech designing testing systems for HVAC gas sensor manufacturer. These are in demand for buildings trying to lower energy costs or with dangerous environments (H2S or xylene labs or parking garages).
I think the software engineers are getting paid a lot more than the rest of us, LOL.
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Education wise I have bs in EET, but never worked in eng.
Always worked in IT.
I am a technical consulting manager doing travel/expense management software implementation work.
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Undergrad in CS and spent 15 years working on embedded firmware for computer peripherals.
Got an MBA and have spent the last few years managing engineers working on embedded firmware for computer peripherals.
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Civil Engineer. Working mostly on water and wastewater systems for small municipalities, some of the Pueblos and a few medium sized communities.
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Aerospace Engineer. Current role is overseeing WHS, Aviation and Radiation safety for our entire organisation (~15,000 people plus large fleet of aircraft). Honestly there are so many things an engineer can do. I've worked in design, logistics, maintenance, project management, business improvement, contracting etc etc.
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I have a degree in Financial Engineering - but I dont see myself as an engineer
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I recently switched careers altogether, but I was a licensed mechanical engineer designed HVAC systems for commercial applications.
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Not sure if I'm officially an engineer but I write and maintain software for a government department.
It's cool cause I get to talk directly to my clients and they can tell me what works for them.
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Dairy plants.
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Dairy plants.
I bet that job stinks. (dun dun tss! Get it? It's a dairy?)
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The hubs is a phd CHemE and uses differential equations to model processes for a building supply company.
I currently am not working in engineering, I have a CHemE bachelors. I did product design of optical products for flat panel displays and tape r&d (yes literally plain old tape. Apparently making it cheaper and stickier is still a thing, all these years after the original invention of tape). God my tape job was boring. That's pretty much why I became a SAHM.
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I engineered FIRE :)
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My husband is a civil/geotechnical engineer. He does foundations, making sure excavating for gravel doesn't screw up water tables, slope stability, that kind of thing.
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Until recently, I used to engineer space systems. Now I engineer ground systems for space applications.
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I engineer diodes and transistors. Specifically do wafer-level process engineering in semiconductors.
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Dairy plants.
I bet that job stinks. (dun dun tss! Get it? It's a dairy?)
Dairy farms can stink. The plants in which the milk is turned into other good stuff usually don't. Ice cream plants actually smell pretty darn good!
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I design several types of systems, but my specialty is designing the equipment that keeps tanks and vessels in chemical plants and refineries from blowing up!
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I engineer bicycles! Specifically, I design manufacturing process for carbon fiber machining and bonding, i.e. put holes in things and glue them together haha.
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I engineer bicycles! Specifically, I design manufacturing process for carbon fiber machining and bonding, i.e. put holes in things and glue them together haha.
Where is the LIKE button?
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Mechanical. Projects and Process. Tracking parameters, designing parts, working with contractors, making machines run, etc. Work at a company that makes consumer plastic products, mostly blown film for construction film, dropcloth, garbage bags, and carryout bags.
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ChemE here, I design processes for oil and gas refining and extraction. ie sizing equipment, selecting the equipment/heat/pressures/methods required to get the raw materials into the products. Currently working in the evil 'tar' sands :)
I have had to look up my differential equation math book for one calc, but I also promptly forgot why...
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Actually, has any one here ever used differential equations for anything practical/applied?
Systems Engineer here. At my last job, if we didn't have anyone specialized in it, I would do it, so I got to play in electrical, mechanical, and software.
If you count Laplace transforms, I have for control systems. But that step is pretty simple, then it's all algebra or linear algebra. Setting it up for Laplace can be difficult though...
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ChemE here, I design processes for oil and gas refining and extraction. ie sizing equipment, selecting the equipment/heat/pressures/methods required to get the raw materials into the products. Currently working in the evil 'tar' sands :)
I have had to look up my differential equation math book for one calc, but I also promptly forgot why...
ah, this takes me back. My degree is in chem e.
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I'm a mechanical engineer, working in manufacturing. I make stuff. I love, love, love my job.
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TRAAAAAAAIIIINNNSS :D
More specifally embedded software for ETCS(European Train Control System).
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DH is a ChE who works for a plastics company. He is almost done with his masters degree and does use partial differential equations in finite element modeling. But his use of diff eq is an anomaly in his company.
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I work in an investment casting plant... You've probably never heard of our company, yet if you've flown on a jet or space shuttle, been shot at by a hellfire missle, hit by a nuke, used electricity generated by a natural gas turbine, or had a knee/hip replaced with a Titanium part, the odds are VERY high you've interacted with the things we cast. I am in charge of the manufacturing equipment design and installation projects for making those parts.
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I implement and support a quality system in manufacturing. My title is "engineer" though I didn't study engineering. I work with a specific area within the industry that is somewhat standardized, although each manufacturer has its own application of said standard. I work for third party that supplies said system to manufacturers.
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I am now an Otiosusomnintercurrological Engineer -- I optimize methods for enjoying lots of leisure, naps, and sex, at the PhD level. Prior to FIREing last year, I was a government dude with a math (i.e., wannabe engineering) degree.
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Network Engineer in the technical assistance center at a major networking company... but I'm working on my MBA so soon my plan is to transition into a management role there soon. I am hoping my technical background and overall understanding of the business will be valuable experience there and enable me to relate to those I work with.
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Chemical Engineer, first in manufacturing and consumer products, then petrochem, and finally oil & gas (both onshore and offshore). It's an amazingly flexible degree :) But even better than seeing all sorts of different industries, and getting different work experience, has been travelling the world. However, I also have reservations about recommending this profession to my son, even though he's cursed with 'the knack'... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHhgh6oM0
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commercial building HVAC and controls
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Systems Engineer. Specifically IT systems. So networking, servers. Lots of software that doesn't really fall in a neat bucket. So email, remote access, etc. Lots of scripting.
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ChemE by degree, BiomedE in practice. I derive mathematical models (ODE, PDE, Stochastic, Bayesian...) that describe cancer progression and metastasis from the molecular level all the way through the full body level. I then write code to implement the models in different scenarios. We can use the models for various applications, for example:
- Testing novel therapeutics to predict their impact on the human body. I'm hoping this predictive medicine methodology will decrease the need for animal/human testing in the future :)
- Investigating biological mechanisms beyond current experimental capabilities
Edited to add (I didn't read the thread before posting):
Actually, has any one here ever used differential equations for anything practical/applied?
Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
And with that, if you know me even slightly, my identity is obvious. Oh well!
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Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
Uh-oh, time to pull out a TLA yellow card and write your name down :) And by TLA, I refer to three-letter-acronyms. Only engineers could possibly understand what you are talking about. I'm guessing 'DE' are differential equations, but O and P, maybe single order and polynomial?
But one more violation on this thread and you are going to make all of us engineers look like a secret club...
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Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
Uh-oh, time to pull out a TLA yellow card and write your name down :) And by TLA, I refer to three-letter-acronyms. Only engineers could possibly understand what you are talking about. I'm guessing 'DE' are differential equations, but O and P, maybe single order and polynomial?
But one more violation on this thread and you are going to make all of us engineers look like a secret club...
Ordinary and Partial differential equations. ode45/ode15s are Matlab functions that will do this for you.
We are a secret club! Sort of. Sometimes one even I don't feel like I'm a part of when I'm reading research papers.
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Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
Uh-oh, time to pull out a TLA yellow card and write your name down :) And by TLA, I refer to three-letter-acronyms. Only engineers could possibly understand what you are talking about. I'm guessing 'DE' are differential equations, but O and P, maybe single order and polynomial?
But one more violation on this thread and you are going to make all of us engineers look like a secret club...
We actually had a acronym at work that resolved to TLA...
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Embedded software development. Device firmware, drivers, systems and applications software for custom electronic hardware that we sell. (I try to stay out of UI design as much as possible.)
Computer Engineering would probably be the best fit for a degree, but that was just beginning to be a thing when I was in school. I had to pick between CS and EE; picked EE with a computer/digital focus, and then wound up working in software anyway. But I use my low-level digital electronics knowledge all the time.
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Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
Uh-oh, time to pull out a TLA yellow card and write your name down :) And by TLA, I refer to three-letter-acronyms. Only engineers could possibly understand what you are talking about. I'm guessing 'DE' are differential equations, but O and P, maybe single order and polynomial?
But one more violation on this thread and you are going to make all of us engineers look like a secret club...
:) :)
I worked at a national lab and they had 150+ page manual for all the acronyms they used throughout the facilities!
Ordinary and Partial differential equations. ode45/ode15s are Matlab functions that will do this for you.
We are a secret club! Sort of. Sometimes one even I don't feel like I'm a part of when I'm reading research papers.
Thanks for stepping in to help me out! And truth, I feel the same way when I read some research articles :)
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Does anyone drive trains? When I was a kid I was always sad my Dad wasn't a 'real engineer', he built software, which didn't sound nearly as fun as an engineer who drives trains!
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Ordinary and Partial differential equations. ode45/ode15s are Matlab functions that will do this for you.
Ordinary and Partial! Duh! Oh so many meetings I've entertained myself trying to parse new acronyms, it's like a cryptoquip for engineers, eventually you get enough context to nail it. Thx Johnny
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Degree is mechanical, although for the last 6 years I've been working in biomedical. Currently I design orthopedic implants. Plates, screws, small joints, etc.
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Mechanical Engineer. I design mud motors for oil and gas. Basically it's a motor that is powered by flowing drilling mud which turns a bit and drills a hole in the ground. And it's all shaped like a giant piece of spaghetti. I also design other "tools" that go down the hole and do other fancy stuff.
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Mechanical engineer by education, automotive engineer by career, with most of that in quality, technical problem-solving (Shainin) and vehicle evaluation (I liked the last the best, for sure). I also went to art school for car design, but burned out halfway through (too much school at once) - I really miss design. In my current job I create vehicle specs and make sure the vehicles are ordered and built to meet our customers' needs.
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I had no idea that "engineers" did things with software! I thought an engineer was someone who designs bridges & tall buildings, etc to withstand forces. Like, physics stuff. Learn something new every day.
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Software defined networking products.
Telecommunications networks.
This stuff.
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Materials engineer/scientist here. I work on corrosion, trying to keep gas pipelines from blowing up or airplanes from falling from the sky. Pretty interesting, but sometimes I'm amazed by the amount of writing/paper pushing involved.
If this question was asked (or is being read) by someone considering a technical degree, don't underestimate the importance of your writing skills!
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I had no idea that "engineers" did things with software! I thought an engineer was someone who designs bridges & tall buildings, etc to withstand forces. Like, physics stuff. Learn something new every day.
I make software related to aviation. I use physics most every day; I need to know what the airplane does when the deelybob goes towards the whoozit or what the autopilot will do when the gonculator fails. You are thinking physics is statics, where we also have dynamics.
O/PDE: why would I take my big beautiful non-linear model and simplify it down, that would take effort and cut into MMM time? :-)
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I had no idea that "engineers" did things with software! I thought an engineer was someone who designs bridges & tall buildings, etc to withstand forces. Like, physics stuff. Learn something new every day.
I make software related to aviation. I use physics most every day; I need to know what the airplane does when the deelybob goes towards the whoozit or what the autopilot will do when the gonculator fails. You are thinking physics is statics, where we also have dynamics.
Sure, but there are still engineers that do software work requiring no knowledge of physics whatsoever.
Engineers optimize things, whether that is strength/weight/cost, manufacturing processes, material properties, chemical reactions, computation cycles (software), etc.
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Paper.
I push paper around all day long.
Never really build or even engineer anything.
But I help keep Georgia Pacific in business.
Officially, I'm an environmental engineer.
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Degree in Construction Management, I help take Architect's plans and turn them into buildings. My agency refers to my position as "General Engineer" but I don't have an engineering degree.
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Traffic! Except that field collapsed in 08, so now software. Because I need to pay the bills somehow.
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Industrial, Financial, and now Agricultural (i.e. gardening).
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Biomedical engineer by study, but IT manager by trade. Wife is the real engineer (civil/environmental -> processes poop water).
Together we are trying to engineer ourselves to early retirement in 11 years!
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My degrees are in electrical engineering, but now I engineer young minds as a professor.
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Materials engineer/scientist here. I work on corrosion, trying to keep gas pipelines from blowing up or airplanes from falling from the sky. Pretty interesting, but sometimes I'm amazed by the amount of writing/paper pushing involved.
If this question was asked (or is being read) by someone considering a technical degree, don't underestimate the importance of your writing skills!
+1 - so much writing. Interviewees make the most interesting faces when you ask for a writing example and never understand why you'd want to see one.
Paper.
I push paper around all day long.
Never really build or even engineer anything.
But I help keep Georgia Pacific in business.
Officially, I'm an environmental engineer.
+1 - also environmental engineer here. My short answer for what enviros do is we clean up humanity's shit (both literal and figurative)... Air/ water/ soil/ groundwater/solid/sewage, old/new/future - waste is everywhere so there's some job security
For my day to day, in addition to pushing paper and filling paper with words I also get to babysit/argue with contractors to make sure agency approved design/work plans are followed.
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Yes! ODE/PDE ALL the THINGS! ;) But not by hand, mainly ode45/ode15s. ODEs are extremely useful in simple mechanistic models of cellular signaling pathway kinetics/dynamics.
Uh-oh, time to pull out a TLA yellow card and write your name down :) And by TLA, I refer to three-letter-acronyms. Only engineers could possibly understand what you are talking about. I'm guessing 'DE' are differential equations, but O and P, maybe single order and polynomial?
But one more violation on this thread and you are going to make all of us engineers look like a secret club...
We actually had a acronym at work that resolved to TLA...
I'm curious - what did it stand for?
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Paper.
I push paper around all day long.
Never really build or even engineer anything.
But I help keep Georgia Pacific in business.
Officially, I'm an environmental engineer.
Don't forget to use the new cover sheet on your TPS reports.
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degree in chemical engineering, work as an environmental engineer. I deal with air compliance. Mostly stack testing.
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EE
Avionics, telemetry, and control systems for launch vehicles (a/k/a rockets).
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I am another Environmental Engineer. I do things like designing landfills, renewable energy projects, remediation, and variety of permitting efforts. Somedays it's pretty fun, others pretty shitty, like many jobs. Pays the bills.
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Materials engineer/scientist here. I work on corrosion, trying to keep gas pipelines from blowing up or airplanes from falling from the sky. Pretty interesting, but sometimes I'm amazed by the amount of writing/paper pushing involved.
If this question was asked (or is being read) by someone considering a technical degree, don't underestimate the importance of your writing skills!
+1 - so much writing. Interviewees make the most interesting faces when you ask for a writing example and never understand why you'd want to see one.
Paper.
I push paper around all day long.
Never really build or even engineer anything.
But I help keep Georgia Pacific in business.
Officially, I'm an environmental engineer.
+1 - also environmental engineer here. My short answer for what enviros do is we clean up humanity's shit (both literal and figurative)... Air/ water/ soil/ groundwater/solid/sewage, old/new/future - waste is everywhere so there's some job security
For my day to day, in addition to pushing paper and filling paper with words I also get to babysit/argue with contractors to make sure agency approved design/work plans are followed.
Ah yes...poop. That's why I stay on the industrial/toxic waste side of things instead of domestic waste side of things. I may grow a third eye, a tail, and glow in the dark at some point but at least I'm poop-free :-)! Well, at least until someone illegally dumps toxic waste in the sewer system that is. Good reason I ER'd asap! It really shocking just how greedy, corrupt and downright criminal many multi-billion dollar companies are when it comes to disposing of their toxic industrial wastes. Geeze just pay the big bucks to treat and dispose of it properly. Of course if I had taken all the bribes and kick backs I was offered I would have been able to FIRE MUCH sooner :-)!
Heck yeah, 3 squares and a cot provided free.
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How many of you calling yourselves an engineer actually have a professional engineer's license?
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lol fuck no.
are we gonna have the discussion about whether you have to have a PE to call yourself an engineer again?
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Mustache friend, we certainly don't fucking have to!
FWIW I do not have a PE either.
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Biomedical Engineering PhD student. My undergrad was in ChemE. I work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine - my grad research is on type 1 diabetes - transplanting cells and releasing factors from materials that tell the immune system to back off!
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Big tools definitely help! PE is kind of a joke, but I guess it is necessary in a litigious society such as ours in the USA.
BTW Russ, bicycles are toys and toy designers are not engineers, so I do not think you can call yourself an engineer!
:P
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are we gonna have the discussion about whether you have to have a PE to call yourself an engineer again?
I missed that one. FWIW, my former employer (giant A/E firm) created a policy stating that you weren't allowed to have the word "engineer" on your business card unless you were a PE. I have those letters after my name. I thought it was absurd.
PE is kind of a joke, but I guess it is necessary in a litigious society such as ours in the USA.
Yes and no. Does your ability to pass a test indicate that you are able to do actual work? Of course not. However, requiring people to demonstrate some level of competence before signing off on roads or buildings is a pretty decent idea. It also provides a straightforward way to handle people that royally fuck up, i.e. taking their license away.
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are we gonna have the discussion about whether you have to have a PE to call yourself an engineer again?
I missed that one. FWIW, my former employer (giant A/E firm) created a policy stating that you weren't allowed to have the word "engineer" on your business card unless you were a PE. I have those letters after my name. I thought it was absurd.
PE is kind of a joke, but I guess it is necessary in a litigious society such as ours in the USA.
Yes and no. Does your ability to pass a test indicate that you are able to do actual work? Of course not. However, requiring people to demonstrate some level of competence before signing off on roads or buildings is a pretty decent idea. It also provides a straightforward way to handle people that royally fuck up, i.e. taking their license away.
My current employer, small-ish consulting firm, has the same policy. All E.I.T.'s have the title of "Civil Designer" as a result.
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It was the same at my last company and had to do more with state laws where we practiced than a company policy.
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I never even really thought about/knew a PE license was available in my field (broadly, aerospace engineering). It's not required in my state.
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I missed that one. FWIW, my former employer (giant A/E firm) created a policy stating that you weren't allowed to have the word "engineer" on your business card unless you were a PE. I have those letters after my name. I thought it was absurd.
Some states have a law about it. You can't call yourself an "engineer" without a PE. To take the PE tests, you must have received an engineering degree from an accredited program.
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I missed that one. FWIW, my former employer (giant A/E firm) created a policy stating that you weren't allowed to have the word "engineer" on your business card unless you were a PE. I have those letters after my name. I thought it was absurd.
Some states have a law about it. You can't call yourself an "engineer" without a PE. To take the PE tests, you must have received an engineering degree from an accredited program.
and have a certain amount of experience that is certified by a currently licensed engineer.
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I think the spirit behind a PE license (Chartered Engineer in some parts of the world) is very worthwhile. I certainly respect the idea of getting real world experience and having at least a few references so that you can take the test. Now, the test itself is a bit of a red herring, but I don't know of a better way to make it valid. It used to be that you just submitted years of experience and references, and passed an 'on your honor to give honest answers' ethics test to get a PE. That seems very outdated.
I didn't mind the more modern but restrictive system of passing an 8 hour exam (showing a bit of proficiency, and just plain tenacity toward studying things you wouldn't normally need to know and putting up with a bit of bureaucracy). But yeah, I have my PE, so maybe I'm biased.
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I missed that one. FWIW, my former employer (giant A/E firm) created a policy stating that you weren't allowed to have the word "engineer" on your business card unless you were a PE. I have those letters after my name. I thought it was absurd.
Some states have a law about it. You can't call yourself an "engineer" without a PE. To take the PE tests, you must have received an engineering degree from an accredited program.
Each state is different, obviously, but the regulations in the states where I've worked prohibit advertising your services as a "licensed professional" or "professional engineer" or some such phrasing. My position is that an unlicensed person may legally and ethically use a generic title of engineer if that's what their work is, as long as they do not use "PE" or "professional engineer". Cautious lawyers disagree.
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Mostly dirt and water. Dirt is usually an arrow on a piece of paper with a note that says "construct big hole in the ground". Usually there is a similar arrow nearby that says "construct big pile of dirt." Water is tricky because you need to make it go downhill somehow. Typically I do this with an arrow pointing down and a note that says "construct continuous downward slope". Pretty much sums it up.
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Don't forget to use the new cover sheet on your TPS reports.
I work on TPSs (Test Program Sets).
I'm an EE and have worked on a variety of avionics related hardware and software, often related to testing and repairing them (I work for the Navy).
There's a (possibly apocryphal) story that one of the guys who wrote Office Space was a contractor for our organization and immortalized the TPS cover sheet as a result.
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In a perfect world these folks would get paid what the bankers and lawyers get paid. Maybe when the robots take over they will grant higher pay to the STEM folks. Kudos to all the engineers who make our world go.
Eh, what about the engineer lawyers? No extra compensation for the additional opportunity cost?
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Biomedical Engineering PhD student. My undergrad was in ChemE. I work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine - my grad research is on type 1 diabetes - transplanting cells and releasing factors from materials that tell the immune system to back off!
Whee PhD student! I'm a PhD student in electrical engineering myself.
As for the PE discussion...the only thing that I've heard about the PE is that only one person at an engineering firm actually has to have a PE license? Is that actually correct?
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I'm a licensed civil engineer. I earned that pe so yes I think it is valuable. Work for a small city improving and expanding the utilities. Water, sewer, stormwater, and streets.
I don't even use calculus, much less differential equations. I always considered those higher math classes to be filters to only prove that you could learn anything.
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How many of you calling yourselves an engineer actually have a professional engineer's license?
I don't even know what that is.
I'm a good old
Diplom Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) from Germany. :p
Me also.
Studied mechanical engineering.
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As for the PE discussion...the only thing that I've heard about the PE is that only one person at an engineering firm actually has to have a PE license? Is that actually correct?
To be recognized by the state board as an engineering firm, that is technically correct. However, depending on the work being done, many others may need a license as well. I'm a licensed Civil PE and it is pretty much a requirement for my job. When I have a design getting permitted for construction, I have to sign and seal the work. If it is a design that required structural and electrical design, those PEs have to sign and seal their portions as well.
Whether or not an engineer has their PE is highly dependent on the industry in which they work.
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As for the PE discussion...the only thing that I've heard about the PE is that only one person at an engineering firm actually has to have a PE license? Is that actually correct?
To be recognized by the state board as an engineering firm, that is technically correct. However, depending on the work being done, many others may need a license as well. I'm a licensed Civil PE and it is pretty much a requirement for my job. When I have a design getting permitted for construction, I have to sign and seal the work. If it is a design that required structural and electrical design, those PEs have to sign and seal their portions as well.
Whether or not an engineer has their PE is highly dependent on the industry in which they work.
Gotcha.
In my field (electrical engineering) it's not really talked about so I'm assuming I won't need it. Guess I'll find out sooner or later.
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As for the PE discussion...the only thing that I've heard about the PE is that only one person at an engineering firm actually has to have a PE license? Is that actually correct?
To be recognized by the state board as an engineering firm, that is technically correct. However, depending on the work being done, many others may need a license as well. I'm a licensed Civil PE and it is pretty much a requirement for my job. When I have a design getting permitted for construction, I have to sign and seal the work. If it is a design that required structural and electrical design, those PEs have to sign and seal their portions as well.
Whether or not an engineer has their PE is highly dependent on the industry in which they work.
Gotcha.
In my field (electrical engineering) it's not really talked about so I'm assuming I won't need it. Guess I'll find out sooner or later.
If those around you aren't licensed, then I doubt it is needed. Getting licensed requires jumping through a lot of hoops though so find out sooner rather than later if you aren't sure.
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Gotcha.
In my field (electrical engineering) it's not really talked about so I'm assuming I won't need it. Guess I'll find out sooner or later.
Not sure what kind of EE work you do, but generally an electrical design for a building or for utility work would need to done by a PE, but pretty much anything else an EE does would not. Each state has slightly different rules, of course.
On the other hand, the vast majority of work that a civil engineer like me does needs to be done by a licensed PE. However, as a PE I am allowed to stamp drawings that someone else has done, as long as it was done under my supervision, which is why technically a company only needs to have one licensed engineer.
I'm sure you'd know if it were expected of you. Preparing for the test, taking the test, and earning the license (and the customary bump in salary) tends to be a pretty big topic of conversation in offices where it is expected.
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Gotcha.
In my field (electrical engineering) it's not really talked about so I'm assuming I won't need it. Guess I'll find out sooner or later.
Not sure what kind of EE work you do, but generally an electrical design for a building or for utility work would need to done by a PE, but pretty much anything else an EE does would not. Each state has slightly different rules, of course.
On the other hand, the vast majority of work that a civil engineer like me does needs to be done by a licensed PE. However, as a PE I am allowed to stamp drawings that someone else has done, as long as it was done under my supervision, which is why technically a company only needs to have one licensed engineer.
I'm sure you'd know if it were expected of you. Preparing for the test, taking the test, and earning the license (and the customary bump in salary) tends to be a pretty big topic of conversation in offices where it is expected.
Yea I'm still in grad school but in undergrad as people were graduating nobody was talking about the PE. Also, I'm in theoretical telecommunications stuff at the moment so I'd be surprised if that require a PE out in industry
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Wait....so you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane? Really scratching my head on that one!
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Wait....so you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane? Really scratching my head on that one!
Well this has been voiced earlier but the idea of a PE license is good in theory but the standards for getting it aren't exactly rigorous.
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From what I understand civil engineering is the only type of engineer that really needs to be a PE. For other types of engineering it is less useful. Engineers designing consumer products would be the exception I think.
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Patent examiner - vehicle controls art
I read, search, and write all day. It is a great job and highly recommend it. Straight forward expectations, work always present, time off reduces work load, flexible schedules, and work from home. Especially for people that want to just do the work expected and not deal with office politics. Engineering felt like I always got shit on from everyone to dumb to fix problems, and Big Law was a good old boys club. An engineering degree is the only requirement for patent examiner.
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I'm an energy engineer/manager. Basically make buildings more energy efficient to save money and reduce GHG emissions.
I have a mechanical engineering degree and a PE.
Although the PE is just a resume builder.
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Wait....so you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane? Really scratching my head on that one!
Well this has been voiced earlier but the idea of a PE license is good in theory but the standards for getting it aren't exactly rigorous.
Yes, I am a civil so I understand. You didn't answer my question though.
Makes no sense that you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane.
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Wait....so you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane? Really scratching my head on that one!
Well this has been voiced earlier but the idea of a PE license is good in theory but the standards for getting it aren't exactly rigorous.
Yes, I am a civil so I understand. You didn't answer my question though.
Makes no sense that you need a PE to design a road but not an airplane.
I understood your question perfectly. What I am saying is that the standard for the PE isn't even that rigorous anyway so I doubt that anybody who has a PE license wouldn't already have the proper knowledge to build a proper road in the first place in the absence of PE requirements.
Also, there are more traffic accidents than accidents. Though many traffic accidents have nothing to do with the road design
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Reliability, Maintainability, and Safety Engineering of Space Flight Systems.. Love my job... trying to figure out what I can do when I claim I'm not working in the industry any longer...
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I am a PE. Whether you are or aren't, you should be reading your (or other state's) various disciplinary hearings and injunctions against licensed professionals. Mostly small ($5-10k) fines related to lapsed licenses (and still using or stamping as a PE), but occasionally some interesting dirt. Opens your eyes to the ramifications, personally and professionally, of licensing and your responsibility.
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From what I understand civil engineering is the only type of engineer that really needs to be a PE. For other types of engineering it is less useful. Engineers designing consumer products would be the exception I think.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer in the consumer products world. A PE license is completely unnecessary and very rare -- the battery of tests you run new products through don't care what certifications you have. Products that require safety certifications have to be tested by independent agencies anyway, so there's generally nothing of legal importance for you to sign that would require a license.
Back to the topic, designing consumer products is pretty fun. I've done everything from handheld electronics to medical devices to toys. The downside is lots of long hours, travel, crazy schedules, and project attrition.
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I guess maybe I don't count as an engineer?
Graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree 6 years ago and hired on at a manufacturing company, but went pretty quickly onto a management track. I'm QA manager at a small plant now.
I still consider myself an engineer though (I guess by education only? haha).
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I recall a joke in which scientists are amazed at the human body and trying to decide what kind of engineer god must be. They decide, not chemical, not mechanical, but a civil engineer must be god's expertise. Why? Because only a civil engineer would place recreation and sewage in the same zone. (or something to that effect.)
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My better half is a principal systems engineer (background in EE - hardware/firmware stuff) and works in the defense industry.
My knowledge of any specific information and details would result in my immediate death. ;)
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In a perfect world these folks would get paid what the bankers and lawyers get paid. Maybe when the robots take over they will grant higher pay to the STEM folks. Kudos to all the engineers who make our world go.
Eh, what about the engineer lawyers? No extra compensation for the additional opportunity cost?
Engineer lawyer here. While income is about twice what it would be as as an engineer (civil/environmental) in good years, it is primarily attributable to the sheer amount of hours (over 3,000 hours worked last year) and skin in the game (partner as opposed to employee). Comparing my net worth to other engineers who graduated around the same time, after almost a decade of practicing law I have still not fully caught caught up to those engineers who played their cards right. Mind you, I have surpassed those that did fall into the spending trap. Not sure what will happen two decades out.
All in all, the opportunity cost and catch-up period was larger than I estimated as a naive early 20-something applying to law school. But it has been an exhilerating ride.
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I recall a joke in which scientists are amazed at the human body and trying to decide what kind of engineer god must be. They decide, not chemical, not mechanical, but a civil engineer must be god's expertise. Why? Because only a civil engineer would place recreation and sewage in the same zone. (or something to that effect.)
Because only a civil engineer would run a sewer line through a playground.
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How many of you calling yourselves an engineer actually have a professional engineer's license?
I have a chemical engineering degree, and I actually got my PE license in Virginia when I lived there and was still in the Navy, circa-1996. And I passed the 8 hour test despite having sliced my hand open the day before, so had stitches in one hand and a throbbing other arm from a tetanus shot.
I've never used it, though. I maintained my license for about a decade after getting it (most of that time spent in California).
For the most part, the PE license isn't useful for Chem E. I know there are other types of work that require them (more in construction type jobs).
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I understood your question perfectly. What I am saying is that the standard for the PE isn't even that rigorous anyway so I doubt that anybody who has a PE license wouldn't already have the proper knowledge to build a proper road in the first place in the absence of PE requirements.
Hey Johnny847, this comment is a bit insulting to all the PE's out there. I would expect that passing the FE exam (I cant recall, 8 hours of very technical greuling test), then the PE (another 8hour test), plus attaining the years of documented / referenced (by another PE) experience is far more grueling than most licenses. On par or more than the a CPA in my opinion.
anyway - I passed the FE, but the amount of work to get the PE was huge.
Why a PE?
You need a PE to sign off on drawings, provide consulting services (e.g. advertise your expertise as an engineer and have individuals pay for and rely on your opinion and work), or work as an engineer for most state / federal governments (which is why Civil is so common to be a PE, fyi, more employers demand it).
In Canada, nearly 50% of engineering grads obtain their P.Eng licensure. in the USA it is far less. The differences are due to how companies hire and the examination requirement differences. In the US, more jobs are possible without the PE -- for example many "designers" or engineering grads are hired by consulting engineering companies, as long as their work is checked and signed off by an PE.
Other companies simply do not create work that is related to public safety, and does not require certification / sign-off. Manufacturers, for example, may send in their systems to another certifying agency, so do not need this license in-house, but still need the engineering talent to get there.
I have a friend (PE) who certifies robotics safety in the workplace, by reviewing their software and hardware controls... so some software / electrical licensure is required out there, beyond the power utilities and building systems.
PE's are also VERY useful for getting your work TN visa, to work between US /Canada / Mexico. (TN is possible without it, but the approval process is clearly defined if you have it)
Also very helpful for foreign trained engineers who want to apply for jobs in the USA, as it proves USA- level education and engineering experience / qualifications. Most hiring managers looking for engineers will not worry too much about an unknown school if you have your PE and US work experience. Without it, you bet that they are asking themselves if a degree from the Phillipines is the same as a US school.
Anyway -- the PE designation is intended to protect the public, like a licensed Dentist or Chiropractor.... obviously there are many highly skilled engineering roles that do not impact public safety / trust.
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I design Storage area networks.
nothing special, a preschooler could do it.. but it pays good lol.
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I worked in semiconductor manufacturing for a long time. Now I am working on test programs for chips. You are probably using one right now. :)
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I have a PhD in engineering (aerospace) but am not a PE. In fact, I don't believe I know any aerospace engineers (at least in the space industry) with PE certification. It's certainly not common in the world of spacecraft orbits.
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I'm taking the PE next week. Civil-Transportation. I passed the FE after hardly studying at all. But with a 10% raise on the line (!), This PE exam is seriously stressing me out...
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I'm taking the PE next week. Civil-Transportation. I passed the FE after hardly studying at all. But with a 10% raise on the line (!), This PE exam is seriously stressing me out...
Good luck! A coworker of mine is also sitting next week. And although I definitely think you should study for it, I thought that the PE was insanely easy compared to the FE. (of course, without knowing my scores, that is hard to back up...)
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I understood your question perfectly. What I am saying is that the standard for the PE isn't even that rigorous anyway so I doubt that anybody who has a PE license wouldn't already have the proper knowledge to build a proper road in the first place in the absence of PE requirements.
Hey Johnny847, this comment is a bit insulting to all the PE's out there. I would expect that passing the FE exam (I cant recall, 8 hours of very technical greuling test), then the PE (another 8hour test), plus attaining the years of documented / referenced (by another PE) experience is far more grueling than most licenses. On par or more than the a CPA in my opinion.
anyway - I passed the FE, but the amount of work to get the PE was huge.
Why a PE?
You need a PE to sign off on drawings, provide consulting services (e.g. advertise your expertise as an engineer and have individuals pay for and rely on your opinion and work), or work as an engineer for most state / federal governments (which is why Civil is so common to be a PE, fyi, more employers demand it).
In Canada, nearly 50% of engineering grads obtain their P.Eng licensure. in the USA it is far less. The differences are due to how companies hire and the examination requirement differences. In the US, more jobs are possible without the PE -- for example many "designers" or engineering grads are hired by consulting engineering companies, as long as their work is checked and signed off by an PE.
Other companies simply do not create work that is related to public safety, and does not require certification / sign-off. Manufacturers, for example, may send in their systems to another certifying agency, so do not need this license in-house, but still need the engineering talent to get there.
I have a friend (PE) who certifies robotics safety in the workplace, by reviewing their software and hardware controls... so some software / electrical licensure is required out there, beyond the power utilities and building systems.
PE's are also VERY useful for getting your work TN visa, to work between US /Canada / Mexico. (TN is possible without it, but the approval process is clearly defined if you have it)
Also very helpful for foreign trained engineers who want to apply for jobs in the USA, as it proves USA- level education and engineering experience / qualifications. Most hiring managers looking for engineers will not worry too much about an unknown school if you have your PE and US work experience. Without it, you bet that they are asking themselves if a degree from the Phillipines is the same as a US school.
Anyway -- the PE designation is intended to protect the public, like a licensed Dentist or Chiropractor.... obviously there are many highly skilled engineering roles that do not impact public safety / trust.
STRETCH - Yawn.
I hear this rabble-trap about professional designations all the time. As an A. Sc.T, I have 2 P.Eng's working alongside me. One in a management role, one on my staff. I am in more or less a 'lead hand' role with a department of 5 staff answering to me. Of those 5 staff, one is a planner, 2 are CETs, One is a Dipl.T. and the aforementioned P.Eng. (I have the lowest professional designation, yet hold the leadership role)
We all work in the Transportation Engineering and Operations section of a large Toronto area Municipality. Our group is regularly called on to testify in court and defend the public interest. I get sued about every 2 months and called on to give statements monthly. I regularly comment on and sometimes quash development plans and applications where the public safety is at risk. We carry a lot of responsibility.
The P.Engs in our group remind me regularly that their designation should mean they get paid more than the rest of the staff in our group. After all PEO says they are worth more. Just one problem, one of them suffers from analysis paralysis and doesn't have the ability to choose the tuna roll off a sushi menu, and the other has no drive or desire and can't hit a deadline if I set it on a tee in front of him.
We use their stamps with regularity, but have about 200 other stamps at our disposal. One of them can't be sent to a trial because he has no judgement at all, and the other goes to trial but is so changeable in his opinion that we are at risk every time we send him. I see neither of these guys as any more valuable than the rest of our staff, and less valuable than our lowest paid hire - she has excellent judgement, drive and organization. And the planner we have working in an engineer's role is one of our best guys. Set him on the stand and he will testify with conviction, defend his position, and recognize the impact of his statements.
PEng is nothing to me. In the hiring process, its a 'nice to have' but there is a lot more I'm looking for in a candidate than the ability to leech off coworkers for years, then sit an exam. Anyone can do that. Judgement, drive, and organization are far more important in my field.
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Combat engineer... My job is mobility, counter mobility, and security. Over the past ten years my jobs been mostly route clearance (mobility), though I've only been in three years and got stood down on my only chance to deploy. So I haven't done anything in real-world yet. At my last unit I was training as a light engineer focusing on area clearance (think minefields). At this unit we're heavy engineers, but I got stuck in the mailroom, which is a pretty sweet gig. Combat engineers in general don't usually build shit any more, but over the past year my job has strenuously required me to engineer some shit a total of three times using parachute cord :D Tax payer money... lol
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I worked in semiconductor manufacturing for a long time. Now I am working on test programs for chips. You are probably using one right now. :)
Hey! I'm working on a test program for chips too!
(http://sherman-ave.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/guy-eating-potato-chips.jpg)