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An engineer is someone who is trained or professionally engaged in a branch of Engineering .1 Engineers use Technology , Mathematics , and Scientific Knowledge to solve practical Problem s. People who work as engineers typically have an Academic Degree (or equivalent work experience) in one of the Engineering Disciplines . Degrees and Occupations in Engineering: How Much Do They Diverge? Issue Brief, NSF 99-318 December 31, 1998 WORKING AS AN ENGINEER "Every technological product has to be designed and its fabrication overseen, and this is what engineers DO."Samuel Florman, ''The Civilized Engineer'' ISBN 0-312-02559-9 Engineers and scientists are often confused in the minds of the general public. While Scientist s explore nature in order to discover general principles, engineers apply established principles drawn from mathematics and science in order to develop economical solutions to technical problems.2 ''Science is knowledge based on observed facts and tested truths arranged in an orderly system that can be validated and communicated to other people. Engineering is the creative application of scientific principles used to plan, build, direct, guide, manage, or work on systems to maintain and improve our daily lives.''3 The work of engineers is the link between perceived social needs and commercial applications. Engineers consider many factors when developing a new product. For example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers precisely specify the functional requirements; design and test the robot’s components; integrate the components to produce the final design; and evaluate the design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of many different products, such as chemicals, computers, engines, aircraft, and toys. In addition to design 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 to produce and analyze designs; to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system operates; and to generate specifications for parts. Many engineers also use computers to monitor product quality and control process efficiency. "ENGINEER" AS A TITLE In some countries of Continental Europe and Latin America the title is limited by law to people with an engineering degree, and the use of the title by others (even persons with much work experience) is illegal. In Italy the title is limited to people who, besides holding an engineering degree, have passed a professional abilitation exam. Laws exist in all U.S. states and in Canada 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 do not restrict unlicensed persons from calling themselves an "engineer" or indicating branches or specialties not covered by the licensing acts, though the legal situation regarding the title of "engineer" in Canada is unsettled. (See '' Professional Engineer '' for more details). 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." However, in Britain as well as some European countries, the term "technologist" is a certification or registration that is equal to an engineer but has a different focus than design. For example, a technologist may focus on Technical Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or an Applied Engineering practices. A technologist maybe a better choice to fill positions that require applied engineering skills than a design engineer. Regulation of the Technologist title is cover by the Sydney Accord which is currently overseen by the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom. OTHER MEANINGS In Britain, the term 'engineer' is often used to describe a technician or a person that mends and operates machinery. (This in contrast to mainland Europe, where engineering is seen as comparable to other professions such as medicine and architecture.) Professional engineers registered with the Engineering Council UK have the exclusive right to the titles Chartered Engineer and Incorporated Engineer . These titles are only awarded after a rigorous formation including higher education, training and experience. In the United States, the term "engineer" is also used to denote an operator of an Engine of some sort, e.g., a Railroad Engineer denotes the operator of a Locomotive , a ship's engineer denotes the operator of the Steam Engine on a Steamship , and a Stationary Engineer is normally responsible for a Stationary Steam Engine . Occasionally "title inflation" results in non-engineers holding jobs with "engineer" in the job title. For example, the term "field engineer" is often used to describe manufacturers' (or third party) supplied installers and/or maintainers of (complex) equipment at a user's site. However, they are not commonly degreed engineers. In Firefighting , the term "engineer" refers to a Firefighter whose job is to drive the Fire Apparatus and, if it has an onboard water supply, to stay with the engine and operate the pumps so that the firefighters on the hose can have enough Water to put out the Fire . The term "engineer" may also be used to describe holders of some forms of Professional Certification other than university degrees, such as (but not limited to) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer , Certified Novell Engineer , Red Hat Certified Engineer and so on. |
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