The Engineering

Profession (I)
E10 - Introduction to Engineering
Charles W. Davidson
College of Engineering
John Athanasiou
Spring 2010

Timeline to Engineering Education

and Profession

Fr.

So

Jr

Sr

What Next?

Time (years)
2

Questions and Decisions

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Do I want to become an engineer?

Which major do I select?
Which specialization do I follow?
Which job classification do I select?
Where do I want to work?
Type of industry
Geographic location
Office environment
f. Do I want to go into Engineering management?
g. Can I apply my BS in Engineering in other fields?

What is a Profession

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Requires specialized and highly skilled knowledge.

Requires academic training.
Is regulated by professional bodies.
Requires examination of competence.
Function of professional work is vital to society.
Professionals enjoy higher social status.
Compensation is higher than other occupations

8.

Professionals must perform under a standard of

professional behavior that requires adherence to the
highest principles of legal and ethical conduct2.

9.

Requires Continuing education to keep current with

rapidly changing technology.

The Engineering Profession

Training, Qualifications, Advancements, Licensure

BS is required for all entry level engineering Jobs.

Engineers trained in one field, may also work in a related field of

engineering:
Aero E
EE
Chem E.

ME
Comp.E
Materials E

All 50 states require licensure for engineers who offer their

services directly to the public.
2

The Engineering Profession

Training, Qualifications, Advancements, Licensure
A. Engineer In Training (ET)

Engineering Fundamentals Exam

Senior in, or Graduate of, an ABET accredited
program

B. Professional Engineer (PE )2

BS-ABET
Have passed, or be waived of, the ET
4-Years Work experience
Exam by NCEES
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
Principles and Practice of Engineering
6

FE exam
The FE exam is typically the first step in the process leading to the P.E.
license. It is designed for students who are close to finishing an
undergraduate engineering degree.
The FE exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions and is split into a
morning session (120 questions) and an afternoon session (60 questions).
You will be provided an FE Supplied-Reference Handbook on exam day. The
exam lasts eight hours and is administered in April and October.
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Environmental
Industrial
Mechanical
Other Disciplines
http://www.ncees.org/Exams.php ..
http://www.ncees.org/Exams/Study_materials.php?exam=FE

Engineering -The Profession

Whether the end result is a product, a process

or service, engineers need to consider safety,
reliability,
cost-effectiveness.6

Engineering is a career based on

logical, systematic problem solving,
generally in high-tech, industrial, or scientific
fields.
8

What Engineers Do? (a review)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

7.

Design products.
Design machinery to build and test these
products.
Design Plants in which those products are
made.
Design the systems that ensure the quality
and efficiency of the manufacturing process.
Design, plan and supervise the
construction of buildings, highways, transit
systems.
Develop and implement ways to extract,
process and use raw materials such as
petroleum and natural gas.
Harness the power of the sun, and wind to
9

What Engineering Work Have You Done in E10?

Research:

Excel, Inventor 2008, Statics,

(Learning Curve)
Aerodynamics, Strength of materials,
Communication, EasyC, Signal theory .

Design:

Build Parts (Mfg): Blades (z-printer), Turbine Assy, IRB Assy,

Robot Car Assy.

Assembly:

_ Support structure, Motor installation. (CE, ME)

_ IRB, Robot car (EE, ME)

Test:

Blade performance. ( Aero, EE, Excel )

_ Structure stiffness (EE, ME)
_ IRB, Robot HDR/SWR

Communication: Technical presentation and report.

Turbine, Support structure. (CE, ME, Aero)

Robot SWR and HDR (EE, Comp E, ME, SWR E)

10

General question

What kind of a pattern do we see on

the last two pictures?

11

The Engineering Process

Development
Assembly

Reliability

Design
Test

Engineering
management
Manufacturing

12

Where do you see your self

10 years from now

Profession,
Professional Level,
Environment,
Location, .

13

14

T
EI

m
a
Ex
B

r.
g
n
E
S

Fr. So Jr Sr Grad. Work

Specialization

f
o
r
P

tie
e
i
c
So

m
a
x
E
PE

Work Force ???

Job Classification?
Professional Level?
Engineering
Management?

15

To
Engineer
or Not
?
Yes
Engineering
Major?
Yes
Specialization
?

Fair Well
Send us a card
AeroE
CE
ChemE
EE
CompE
ME

Major
Dependent

Yes
Job
Classification
?
Other

Independent of
Major
Analytical E
Experimental E
Design E
Development E
Test E
Manufacturing. E

16

The Time Line of the Engineering Profession

E10
EE98
ME15
Math30
MATE25
MATE115
CHE115
EE97
EE98
EE110
CMPE30
CMPE110
CMPE125
CE99
CE112
CE160

BSME

BSEE

BSCPE

BSCHE

From

2004 J. Athanasiou

Analytical E.

Fluid Mechanics

Research E.
Design E.

Thermodynamics
Control Syst.

Experimental E.
Development E.

Digital Syst.

Test Engr.

Commun. Syst.
;;
;;

Product Eng.
Mfg E

Student

Structural Engr
Geothermal
Transportation

Director Of..
Prgrm Mngr
Project
-Mngr

Advisory

Sales/Marketing

To

CEO
CTO
CFO

VP of..

Sr Engr

Quality E
BSCE

;: :
:

Solid Mechanics

Staff E.
Engr.

Professional

17

From Student to Professional Engineer

Step 1
BS/MS
Majors
ME, EE, CE
SWR.E,
Comp.E

Specialization

18

Aero

Aerodynamics

Propulsion

Flight
Dynamics

Structure &
Materials
19

.
CE

Construction

Structural

Transportation Geothermal Environmental

20

ME

Fluid
Dynamics

Thermodynamics

Mechanical
Design

Mechatronics

21

Mechatronics
Mechanical, Electronic, Control and Computing systems.

22

EE

Power
Generation

Communication
Systems

LSI

Electronics

23

Chem. E

Biochemical

Polymers
Plastics

Food
Processing
24

Mat. E

Semiconductors

Microelectronics

Ceramics
25

From Student to Professional

Step 2
BS/MS
Majors Specialization

Functional
(Job)
Classification

26

General Product Cycle

Idea
Concept

Design/
Modeling

Product
Documentation
Specifications

Development/
Prototyping

To MFG

Feasibility study
$$$

Testing
Testing

Facilities

Training

Packaging

Shipping

A
Tooling/
Automation

Production

To Customer/
Consumer
27

Functional Classification - All majors

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Research
Experimental
Analytical
Design
Development
Testing
Production

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Operations
Sales/Marketing
Customer (large systems)
Management
Consulting
Construction

28

Title

Engineering Functional Jobs-A

Function

SKILLS/Knowledge

Research E.

-Solves new problems.

-Obtains new data.
-Devises new methods of calculation
-Gains new knowledge

Perceptiveness
Patience
Self-Confidence

Analytical E.

Models physical problems using

math to predict performance.
Performs failure analysis

- Math, physics,
engineering,
science,
applications
software

Development E. -Develops products, processes, or

systems
-Uses well-known principles and
employs existing processes or
machines to perform a new function
-Concerned only with a prototype or
model

Ingenuity
Creativity
Astute Judgment

29

Title
Design E.

Engineering Functional Jobs-B

Function

SKILLS/Knowledge

-Converts concepts and information

into detailed plans and specs from
which the finished product can be
be Manufactured.
-Restricted by the state of the art

1. Creativity
2. Innovation
3. Fundamental
knowledge
of many disciplines
4. Understanding of
economics and people

Production E. -- Devises a schedule to efficiently

coordinate materials and personnel

-- Orders raw materials at the
optimum times
-- Sets up the assembly line
-- Handles and ships the finished
product

-Knowledge of design,
economics, and
psychology.
-Ability to visualize the
overall operation of a
project
-Knowledge of each step
of the production effort
30

Engineering Functional Jobs-C

Title

Function

SKILLS/Knowledge

Test E.

-Develops and conducts tests to

verify that a new product meets
design specs.
-Products are tested for structural
integrity, performance, and
reliability .
-Testing is performed under all
expected environmental
conditions.

-Knowledge of statistics,
product and process
specifications.
-Measurement techniques.
-Fundamental engineering
aspects of the design

Operations

-Selects sites for facilities-Specifies the layout for all facets

of the operation
-Selects the fixed equipment for
climate control, lighting, and
communication
-Responsible for maintenance and
modifications

Industrial engineering,
economics and law

or Plant E.

31

From Student to Professional Engineer

Step 3
BS/MS
Majors Specialization

Functional
(Job)
Classification

Company
Levels

32

Company Levels (Publicly owned)

. Corporate Management
COB
Board of Directors

CEO
CFO
COO
CTO
------------------------------V.P. of Marketing
V.P. of Engineering
V.P. of MFG
V.P. of ..
-----------------------------Director of .
Director of .

Management

Engineering

Plant Mgt.
Functional Mgt.*
Project Mgt.
Line Mgt.

Fellow*
Senior E.
Project E.
or Lead E.
Advisory*
Staff*
Sr. Associate E.*
Engineer
or Entry Level

* Large Co.
33

Employers
1.
arelooking
lookingininnew
new
1. What
Whatemployers
employers are
graduates?
graduates?
A major
employers
checklist
of desired
attributes of
2.
A major
employers
checklist
of of desired
engineering
graduates*
attributes of engineering graduates*

Boeing co/ASEE PRISM 12/96

34

What employers are looking in new

graduates?
8

Fast learners

Team players

35

Group A: Good Understanding of:

1. Engineering
science fundamentals:
1.
Engineering science fundamentals:
a. Physical
lifescience.
science.
a. Physical
andand
life
(understanding engineering).
Good communication skills:

b.3. Information technology.

c.

a. Written
b. Verbal
Math
(including
c. Graphic
d. Listening

statistics)

2. The design andGroup

manufacturing
process
A: Good Understanding of:
Engineering science fundamentals:
a. Physical and life science.
(understanding
engineering).
b. Information technology.
c. Math (including statistics)
1.

3. Good
2. The communication
design and manufacturing skills:
process
a.3.

(understanding engineering).
Good communication skills:
Written
a. Written

b. Verbal
b. Verbal
c.

c. Graphic
Graphic
d. Listening

d. Listening
36

Group B: Basic understanding of:

1.

The context in which engineering is practiced,

including:
-

Economics/business practice
History
The environment
Customer and social needs

2.

A multidisciplinary systems perspective.

3.

The importance of teamwork.

3.

Ethical standards
37

Group C
1.

Curiosity and a Life Long desire to Learn.

(LLL or L3)

2.

Ability to think critically and creatively as well

as independently and cooperatively.

1.

Flexibility the ability and the self- confidence

to adopt.
38

in Engineering:
The Key to Maaaaany Doors
Bachelors

of Science

39

Directions After BS Engineering

1.

Advanced Degrees-Academic Institutions

(Teaching, researching, publishing, community involvement)

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Engineering Management (MSE/MBA)

Law (Patent law , Corporate Law)
Medicine (Bioengineering (prosthetics, Bionic Man/Women)
Government, Defense, CalTran
Engineering Consultant
Your Own Business
007 ???

40

Could 007 Have Been an Engineer?

.

BS
Engineering

CIA

41

CIA- Electrical Engineer

- Work Schedule: Full Time Salary: $60,669 $89,365 Location:

Washington, DC metropolitan area

- CIA is seeking qualified Electrical Engineers to be responsible for
projects requiring analog, digital and RF circuit design and
fabrication.
Minimum requirements include a BS in electrical engineering, with a GPA
of 3.0 or better. Ability, skills and knowledge in electrical circuits design
principles; theoretical and practical design and fabrication of
electronic circuits/systems containing discrete RF, passive, digital,
analog, microcontroller and mechanical components; substantial
hands-on experience with electronic circuit-level troubleshooting;

www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/view-all-jobs/index.html
42

CIA- Materials Engineer

Work Schedule: Full Time Salary: $60,669 $89,365 Location:
Washington, DC metropolitan area
The Materials Engineer will be responsible for designing, fabricating and
assembling all forms of complex polymeric, co-polymeric and
composite devices, from initial concept through deployment.
Minimum requirements include a degree in materials science or plastic
engineering, as well as knowledge and understanding of thermoset and
thermoplastic materials and manufacturing processes used to develop and produce
devices. Applicants must also be able to recognize and duplicate surface finishes
and textures; understand color analysis for the purpose of color matching paints and
pigments using a spectrophotometer; be well versed in adhesive technology, and
familiar with various sealant and potting compounds; and be familiar with various
rapid prototyping systems (SLA, FDM, etc.). Hands-on experience with silicone mold
making and various plastics part processing machinery (injection molding machines,
thermoforming, rotational casting machines, etc.) is also required, as is travel, both
domestic and foreign.
43

CIA- Mechanical Engineer

Work Schedule: Full Time Salary: $60,669 $89,365 Location:

Washington, DC metropolitan area
The Mechanical Engineer will be involved with CNC applications in an
engineering design and development prototype shop.
Responsibilities will include using Pro-E models to create CNC tool
paths and programs required to manufacture parts, and leading
efforts for postprocessor development and implementation.
Candidates must be able to fill the CAM gap between engineering and machine
production, and have the ability to troubleshoot existing Pro/NC programs, sequences
and procedures, recommending new software and processes to streamline production
efforts. This person will also be instrumental in training new personnel and existing
operators.
Minimum requirements include a BS in mechanical engineering, a two-year technical
certificate and extensive experience including machine design, as well as 3+ years of NC
programming experience (multi-axis milling and lathe). Software customization, CA

44

Systems Engineer
Work Schedule: Full Time Salary: $60,669 $89,365 Location: Washington, DC
metropolitan area

Formulate, identify, analyze and define requirements. Identify, analyze and

define user needs and translates those requirements into a lifecycle system
operations concept, specifications and system level requirements. Prepare,
validate and maintain system and segment documentation. Controls and
validates the technical specifications. Formulate and define the technical
scope and objectives of the project.
Minimum qualifications include a BS/MS in aerospace/aeronautical
engineering, computer science, computer engineering, mechanical
engineering or electrical engineering, with 5-10 years of experience in
systems engineering, systems management or the equivalent

45

Engineering Careers at CIA

College Students Scientists & Engineers

Electrical Engineer
Materials Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Program Management Engineer
Research Scientist
Science, Technology, and Weapons Analyst
Systems Engineer
Technical Operations Officer

( www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/view-all-jobs/index.html )
46

The Engineering Profession

Thank you

47

References

6.

C. Fledderman-Engineering Ethics, (PH)

www.nspe.org
Picture: www.wikipedia.com and www.google.com/ images
//bls.gov (U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics.
www.abet.org
www.wetfeet.com

7.

.http://bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos027.pdf

8.

Prism (?)
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

9.

-engineers

48

at: 100musicalfootsteps.wordpress.com/.../

at:
at: www.hoveringcat.com/?tag=illustration&page=3
www.sz.tsinghua.edu.cn/.../life_03.html

at: www.bristol.ac.uk/.../meng.html

at: www.flickr.com/photos/berkeleylab/3524958269 /

at: engineeringunlimited.wordpress.com

at: www.zazzle.com/im_the_boss_1_mug-168068774927

at: www.marshallexecair.com/
49