Engineer

An engineer is a professional who applies scientific knowledge, mathematical methods, and practical experience to create, analyze, test, and improve solutions for technical, societal, and commercial problems. Engineers work to design and build structures, machines, processes, and systems that are safe, efficient, reliable, and economical. Their work often involves balancing performance with cost, risk, sustainability, and human factors.

Engineering disciplines are diverse. Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and software engineering are among the largest, with many subfields such as aerospace, biomedical, environmental, materials, industrial, and nuclear engineering. Engineers may specialize in products, facilities, or infrastructure, or in research, development, and policy. Interdisciplinary collaboration is common.

Education and licensure: Most engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, typically accredited by a recognized accrediting body. In many countries, professional licensure is obtained to offer services directly to the public; in the United States, this usually requires passing a Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining several years of work experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, followed by ongoing professional development and ethics requirements.

Work and responsibilities: Engineers interpret client needs, develop specifications, create designs, perform analyses and simulations, build prototypes, supervise manufacturing or construction, and manage projects. They may work in industry, government, academia, or consulting, often using computer-aided design tools, simulation software, and digital models to optimize systems.

History and impact: The profession has ancient roots in civil and military engineering and evolved into a broad science-based discipline during the Industrial Revolution and the 20th century. Engineers have shaped infrastructure, energy systems, transportation networks, medical devices, and information technologies, and continue to address challenges related to safety, sustainability, and ethics.