Position/Job Titles 1

[enginerding]

I work at a small company and job titles were not considered important when I started here. We have since had a change of ownership. The new bossman, I think after seeing so many business cards of others, has decided that we should all have titles on our business cards.

Does anyone know of a standard for engineering job titles that includes a description of the general responsibilities? I have seen titles like "Senior Structural Engineer" and "Structural Engineer III". Any suggestions?

 

[HgTX]

Short answer: No.

Longer answer:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=214458&page=6

Hg



Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[zdas04]

Since you are a Structural you might want to go to an industry group (I'd go to ASME or SPE for Mechanical) and look at their salary survey data. Matching titles to that data might add some credibility outside your firm.

David

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Something like "Senior Structural Engineer" is typically seen at less bureaucratic businesses (i.e., fewer levels of management), whereas "Structural Engineer III" is typically seen at those that have 50 levels of mid-managers (government contractors, etc.).


Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Make sure they a license that corresponds to the title....

A "Senior Structural Engineer" would indicate an S.E. license

 

[tygerdawg]

Yes, something like this does exist.

I can't seem to find it in the labyrinth-that-is-the-web, but I know it exists. Once I was gathering engineering salary level data in order to go negotiate for a raise. I hit all the big job sites and collected salary charts from a variety of sources. I seem to recall that the US Government (Dept of Labor, maybe?) issues "standard" job descriptions for engineers. Like Engineer I, Engineer II, etc. These descriptions are generic and then must be tweaked to fit the particular discipline. Maybe the Professional Society of your discipline might have this info. Maybe you can get it from usajobs.com

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[DonPhillips]

ASCE and NSPE (they jointly gather the data) publishes salary information and has the Engineer "X" duties that large municipalities seem to follow.

I had a boss that told me it not the title, but what you do and what you are paid.


Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I had a boss that told me it not the title, but what you do and what you are paid.

Absolutely true... right up until you apply for your next job... then the title of "Engineering Gopher" just won't get you very far.


Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[DonPhillips]

I just keep the titles off the resume and just use job functions.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[enginerding]

I completely agree with the practicality of both macgyvers and Don in that the title doesn't really matter between engineers. But we have been in some situations where there are conflicting opinions between other structural engineers on a project, and you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) how the contractors and other non-engineers in the meetings seem to respect someone with a fancy title over someone without a title listed. Then good communication skills can be the only way to get the respect back...

I recently began the process of applying for licensure in NY. One of the essay type questions asks to list and describe all changes in job title and responsibility since starting at the company. You are asked for this for each company. I just wrote that we are a small company and don't use formal titles; I started as an intern and now I am an engineer. Then I described job duties. I haven't filed the paperwork yet, so I can't tell you yet how it turned out.

 

[cedarbluffranch]

It'll turn out fine. The state boards don't care about fancy titles, they care about duties.

It's true with customers that fancy titles help a lot. I once made the mistake of walking on several used car lots. I quickly discovered that everyone who works there is "sales manager." It's not concidential.

 

[enginerding]

This leads me to my next question... I put it in a new thread:

http://eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=229162&page=1

 

[HgTX]

You may not want to copy what the government chooses to call people. I work for a state government and they've titled me a Transportation Engineer even though I am in fact NOT a transportation engineer.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[BRGENG]

I think most people realize that titles don’t really mean anything and are often given away to make people happy without getting a raise. We have all seen the various titles given that mean different things at different companies and often mean nothing.

Even though I am the owner of the company I still prefer "Professional Engineer" or "Structural Engineer" in S.E. states. It is the only title that you truly earn and everyone knows what it means.

Don’t be like the typical Architect that puts every initial after their name. I can not count how many times I have seen, John Doe, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP and sometimes more. All you really need is Professional Engineer, you have a resume to cover the other items.

Do you see, John Doe, P.E., NCCES, LEED AP, ASCE, ……? No you don’t, it looks stupid.