> There are NO CREDENTIALS needed to be called a "software engineer"
In the USA, maybe that's true.
In Canada, for instance, there are legal requirements to being able to call yourself an Engineer.
That's why "Software Developer" is used.
In the USA, maybe that's true.
In Canada, for instance, there are legal requirements to being able to call yourself an Engineer.
That's why "Software Developer" is used.
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/job/958535/Software-Engi...
Likely the company wants to use the same language in US as well as in Canada. Noone I know in Canada is called Software Engineer, we all refer to ourselves as Software Developer.
FWIW the UK has a similar thing for traditional Engineer roles. Nobody is legally permitted to call themselves a "tradtional" Engineer (such as Civil, Aerospace, Aeronautical, etc.) without, typically, at minimum a bachelor's degree or equivalent vocational training in that discipline. These are deemed "protected" roles but they are very specific - i.e. there needs to be some kind of auhtoritative body that wards the title(s). "Software Engineer" has no such protection. Generic/non-descript "Engineer" isn't protected. There are plenty of "Software Engineer" roles and it's entirely feasible to be hired as a SWE before you even get any higher education at all. Most of my previous roles have officially been documented as "(Junior/Senior/Lead/etc) Software Engineer" on my contract(s) of employment.
I do know some people who have the title software engineer and they had to do like a whole ceremony where they swore an oath and got a ring and stuff.
They also have real-world legal rights and obligations that it grants them. For instance they can put their stamp on a structural drawing. Because they studied that stuff.
It does seem silly to have real-world building architecture requirements for a Software Engineer but that's where we're at.
Anyways, Software Developer (or even "Product Developer") is a much more common term in Canada as a result. No one wants to tangle with provincial regulations over a job title.
I'm a bit baffled on the fact that they can stamp things they aren't formally trained in. That's a surprise.
I had assumed they had some baseline level of training in different areas because a Software Engineer I know stamped an architecture drawing for a shed he was building. Granted a shed isn't a high risk building but still it's surprising he can do that if he's untrained.
Also does the ring really have nothing to do with it? My understanding is you earn the ring at the same time as the ability to call yourself a professional engineer. Maybe the ring itself isn't necessary but it's symbolically related for sure. Am I wrong?
Professional Engineer is a protected title in Canada. Is that what you’re thinking of?
I'm mixing between EGBC (Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia) and PEO (Professional Engineers Ontario) in links below, but feel free to contact your local engineering licensing body to check if your titles hold up. There is a bunch of weird language through out. Who knows, you may qualify.
From [1]: "In British Columbia, anyone who practises software engineering, or who uses the title “software engineer” (or a similar title that implies that they are a software engineer, like “firmware engineer”, “mobile app engineer”, etc.), must be registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC."
There is a lot more in [1] including, "Not all software development constitutes software engineering." and "... many individuals who develop software probably do not actually engage in software engineering..."
Someone linked to a Microsoft job using the word engineer in Canada, which seems strange since Microsoft already learned about the protected use of the word "engineer" in Canada in 2001 [2].
Professional Engineers Ontario says, "On July 25, 2002 Microsoft Canada announced that they will continue to use the term 'engineer' as part of the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) designation."[3]
> Professional Engineer is a protected title in Canada. Is that what you’re thinking of?
I think "engineer" is protected too. I think job titles that contain "engineer" can only be used by those who are registered professional engineers.
From [4], "Can someone call themselves an Engineer/Professional Engineer or P.Eng if they don’t have a licence?
The term Engineer/Professional Engineer/P.Eng. can only be used by those that have been granted a licence by PEO, under the authority of the Professional Engineers Act. The title “Engineer” is restricted to Ontario licence holders under s. 40(2)(a.1) of the Act."
[1] https://www.egbc.ca/Registration/Individual-Registrants/How-...
[2] https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/engineering/micro...
[3] https://www.peo.on.ca/public-protection/complaints-and-illeg...
[4] https://www.peo.on.ca/public-protection/complaints-and-illeg...