>The term is probably a shortening of “software engineer,” but its use betrays a secret: “Engineer” is an aspirational title in software development. Traditional engineers are regulated, certified, and subject to apprenticeship and continuing education. Engineering claims an explicit responsibility to public safety and reliability, even if it doesn’t always deliver.

Well, at least in the UK, software engineers are uphold by the BCS code of conduct [1]. Our first responsibility is (at least should be) safety.

Like "traditional" engineers, we build the bridges and structures of the virtual world, but the impact on what we do can still have real life changing consequences. The fact that we aren't certified and regulated is a result of us being self-regulating, meaning that we can move quicker in our industry. Many other industries have this arrangement, such as advertising.

I would say that we are not as bound to delivering a fully reliable product, as long as there is enough in place to make it fit for purpose and safe. This is the same as engineering. Lifts regularly break down at our local library, but never do they suddenly plummet several stories. A bank App can crash, but never can it leak information.

[1] http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/conduct.pdf