what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
(OP)
hello;
i have worked for MEP(mechanical, electrical, plumbing) firm's for the past 5 years and I was wondering if anyone could clarify what the difference is between an engineer and a designer. I have always applied for positions as an engineer, because I have a degree in engineering, however I have come across designers with degrees. also designers seem to get paid less than engineers.
How would you write the job desciption of an engineer and that of a designer.
Thanks
i have worked for MEP(mechanical, electrical, plumbing) firm's for the past 5 years and I was wondering if anyone could clarify what the difference is between an engineer and a designer. I have always applied for positions as an engineer, because I have a degree in engineering, however I have come across designers with degrees. also designers seem to get paid less than engineers.
How would you write the job desciption of an engineer and that of a designer.
Thanks





RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Here's a little cynicism for ya: a 'designer' is much less likely to be sued whereas an 'engineer' licensed or not, accepts a little more of the blame.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Design Engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Responsibility: Designers have the luxury of having engineers taking responsibility (holding accountability) for the integrity of a design.
Accountability: Project engineers are the ones who are held accountable. Rarely do I see a designer held accountable for a project's performance.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Engineer - theory/approve
Designer - design/submit
Drafter - document
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
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RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
This has been typical of my experience once away from Lockheed and AlliedSignal.
Even more so, I've experienced a lot of blur between intra-discipline boundaries. The result of all the force reductions and attention to headcount has made it nigh impossible for all but the largest to have specialization.
It's not such a good thing but has been my reality.
To the original question, here's my view:
1) Engineer: Conception, theory, modeling, preparation of specifications, design validation and testing, protocol development, preliminary documentation (prep or support)
Management and/or direction of support personnel. Overall responsibility for success of project
2) Designer: Work to engineer's specifications to generate detailed part features, select appropriate components, and work out assembly details
3) Drafter/Detailer: Work to engineer/designer specifications to produce finished shop drawings for production use. Drawing revision to match as-built configuration.
At the small companies (5-50 people) where I've been, all those tasks are dumped on the engineer.
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RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Engineer stubble = slob
Go figure.
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RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
I have never looked at it that way.
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
In Japan the engineering group gets the product made and the design group defines what it is.
In the US the Manufacturing group gets the product made and the Engineering group defines what it is while the Designers decide what it should look like.
Unless they are an Industrial Designer often the designer will be the lower level position with a less technical degree.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Don't always assume designers get paid less than engineers.
I know a lot of designers that get paid more that the engineers do.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
I just saw your comment, I have also seen that happen many times.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
I am considered a designer. I have a 2 year degree as a tool maker, and I have 17 yrs of building and maintaining such devices. I seen my brother enter into the workforce and try to do a 2 yr drafting school at the same time. He soon become an expert in using Pro/ENGINEER and with in a year of begining his schooling quit because of the work opportunities he was given. He has since developed his skills into a software expert. I have followed the same route. Not only do his and my apptitude in how things are done mechanically enhance our design ability but we have seen that an "engineer" is someone who cannot specialize in using a software package to its full potential due to the other responsabilities an he/she has, or develop his/her modeling skills to the accuracy needed to develope robust/accurate models/assemblies that down stream users find easy to use.
I envy engineers apptitude to formulate mathmatically the solutions to a desired result. When asked to participate in a solution I am able to come into the problem from a neutral position and sometimes offer angles(suggestions) that might not be obvious to the engineer due to his/her inexperience with the software and hands on experiences I actually experience having to make and build what I was shown on a drawing.
My opinions and thoughts from this point out as to where engineering and R&D is going is like alot of you. We are not producing enough people in this country to be an innovation leader in this world and in 50-100 yrs from now we will not be leaders.
It is sad that our work force is such as it is and the learning instiutions have become what they are. As Americans/Enginers/Innovators we have to wake up and teach our kids discipline, teach them "long term goal application" skills instead of immediate self gratification. There is alot to be said here and other forum list to say it on but this whole thing lights a fire under my rear-end.
I am now stepping off my soap box, bending carefully over to pick it and walking away!
Have a good day!
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
I have seen what Chris is refering to.
In my own experience, a designer takes over after the engineer has defined the scope and general (and specific) characteristics of what is required. From there, the designer creates a cad model, configures hardware and assemblies, documents the parts and assemblies (what drafter/detailers used to do), and incorporates any change orders.
I haven't worked with a drafter/detailer for over 15 years now. They seem to be going the way of the checker.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
I have heard the arguments that knowing one cad system is all you really need, because it will be easy to pick up others. This is only true to a certain degree. I had spent many years as a contract designer, and we were (are) paid better than the direct engineers, and as much as most contract engineers. This is because, if a company is at a point that it hires a contractor, the last thing they want to do is wait for them to come up to speed on the cad system.
Can I learn another system? Sure, but I won't be nearly as productive until that learning curve is passed.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
toro45:
From a previous thread:
Designer vs. Engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
At my company, a designer is a person who works on the layout of machine parts in CAD but doesn't have an engineering degree. Typically these people have drafting degrees. They aren't called draftsmen because they do more than just the detail drawings. They are more involved in some of the "minor" design decisions. The engineers in the company are involved on the more critical components that require engineering analysis such as stress analysis and the like. Also, the parts worked on by designers are usually checked by an engineer before it is released to manufacturing.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
My next question was" What does the engineer get paid?"
B.E.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
It depends on industry and location.
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Was more rhetorical than literal. It referred to the fact that I was doing the work of the engineer.
It is not my intention to start this thread in a new direction.
Let’s get back to differences between designers and engineers.
B.E.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
Unlicensed engineers can be called design engineers, engineering designers. Drafters, typically experienced ones, are often called senior designers.
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
All views posted are sensible...likethe jobs we do..the same field different in the areas we specialise, the engineer cannot do it all, the same with the draftsmen and the designer... we all play a very important part in the industry and the trades that we specialise. If one can do all, then there should just be one branch of science. My point is, let us treat our colleagues with the same respect we want to get, then we don't need to say whose better and who isn't we'll never get the job done that way :))
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer
RE: what is the difference between a designer and an engineer