I prefer Software Engineer, mostly because I studied at an engineering school and have a degree in Software Engineering. My actual titles have varied throughout my career, but I overall consider myself a software engineer.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm curious if you've looked up whether you're allowed to call yourself an engineer in some states (US centric of course)? I read years ago that some states really frown on calling yourself an engineer if you aren't a certain small range of engineers that they have codified (pun intended) in law.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I think that's only a civil engineering thing.

Source: work in the industry, and "Civil Engineer" and "Professional Engineer" are legally protected titles. Other than that, it's fair game. Like, there are "Design Engineers" in the civil sector that don't have their Professional Engineer certification.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

In Germany the title engineer is protected by law but with a computer science degree you may call yourself an engineer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Oh, wow, TIL.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Same. My current role is most accurately DeOps or DevSecOps - my education actually predates “Software Engineer” but it was a Software degree from an Engineering school, and with a more technical focus than the similar degree from Arts and Sciences. But yes, every time I due process improvement, standards and practices, etc, that makes it “Software Engineer”. And every time I have to explain to developers how their stuff works, yes, I’m “The Engineer”, capitalized