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[DaveL]

Apparently there are 4 levels/categories of job position:
 
Scientist - He/she who invents a new technology/method of doing something.
Engineer - He/she who designs an application for that technology/method.
Technician - He/she who keeps that application running, installs it, builds it etc.
Operative - He/she who uses the application.
 
These descriptions should apply to almost every job you can do, which is why I think a lot of jobs get titled "Engineer".  
 
Someone who installs a TV aerial is clearly a Technician. The guy who designed the aerial is the Engineer. Although, someone who has been taught the "science" behind Rf to the point where they could design a system, but happens to fit aerials could well be an engineer.
 
Surely though this means that the description "Domestic Engineer", should actually read "Domestic Technician", while most blokes would class as "Operative" in this case.  


i then now qualify for all the above having spent time in R/D rockets, 38 years on state of the art Flight Simulators all from learning to stick two knitting needles into a potato. And dyslexic as well!!

The best programmers that i have employed have been those with an engineering back ground and common sense.
 8-)
DaveL

[TheBoy]

break me, I'm a scientist then....  .... and an engr, tech, and op.

Where's me boss, I need a payrise for doing 4 jobs, and only getting paid for 1....

[Marks DTM Calib]

Which means that the title 'washing machine engineer' and 'plumbing and heating engineer' is absolute 'dangle berries'!

There is currently a pertition with 10 downing street about the title 'engineer'.....because if you go to a bank or similar, engineers are now considered semi-skilled.....because the title has been diluted by miss use...

[Ghosts in my machine]

In France, when you graduate from uni with an engineering degree, for the first 2 or 3 years after, you have to call yourself a Technician and only with relevent experience can you then become an engineer.

Although it pains me to suggest that the French have had a good idea, this one is good. I work in the rail industry, and you get a lot of graduate "engineers" who haven't got a clue about rail vehicle engineering. Sure, they can do a Finite Element Analysis on a crane hook, or know how to build a device to stop an egg breaking after a 10m fall, but when it comes to industry specifics . . . no chance. It probably takes 3 or 4 years of learning to understand the systems and terminology (or maybe that was just me!). I'm sure this is the same for most engineering industries and disciplines.

My old man is a qualified Heating Engineer though, in his case, he had to be properly qualified and learn the theorectical and science side of the discipline. He designs complex heating systems so should count as an Engineer. The blokes that actually put in the pipes etc. used to be called Pipe fitters (not even plumbers) but are now all . . . . you guessed it "Engineers"!

[Martin_1962]

I work in the rail industry, and you get a lot of graduate "engineers" who haven't got a clue about rail vehicle engineering.

What do you do then?

[Ghosts in my machine]

I've gone one better than just "engineer" and am a "Engineering Consultant". You get to talk the same crap, but people listen to you!

Nowt like a grand job title!

It's not the job title that counts (unless you're talking to the bank apparently), its the money you take home that counts (and that does count with the bank!).

I have come across people who chase the status of a certain job title to make themselves feel important and don't get paid any more for the priviledge. Doh!

and to link it back to aerials. Who cares what the bloke who bolts it to the wall calls himself as long as he does a good job.