. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Engineering jobs are not always just about engineering. Engineering functions traditionally focused on building something using different variations of math and science. These jobs have recently morphed into the combination of more business functions. In John Hooker’s white paper, he states, “Engineers are increasingly involved in start-ups where they make business decisions as well as engineering decisions.” Cross-functional teams include members in engineering, sales, manufacturing, marketing, and warranty. Today, many engineers have multiple roles and are even labeled as “project” engineers. Wikipedia defines project engineering as “bridging the boundaries between engineering and project management.” As the role of the engineering field has changed over the years, engineers are faced with more and more ethical choices and decisions. Engineers must create designs and services for clients in an ethical manner.

There are many different professional societies for engineers to join. Some of these societies include, but are not limited to, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Project Management Institute (PMI), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Each of these organizations has a similar code of ethics for its members.

A sample code of ethics of societies from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE):

“Engineers, in the performance of their professional functions, must:

1-Consider the safety, health and well-being of the public paramount.

2-Perform services only in areas of its competence.

3-Issue public statements only objectively and truthfully.

4-Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

5-Avoid deceptive acts.

6-Conduct in an honorable, responsible, ethical and legal manner to improve the honor, reputation and usefulness of the profession “.

Once a person joins one of these societies, an oath is taken to abide by the code. Members must take the code seriously in order for the professional to dedicate themselves to their employer, clients, suppliers, or the general public.

Another ethical engineering practice is to test against the standards applicable to the designed product or service. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and the European Commission (CE) are standards agencies that provide standards for product safety to consumers. Products must be successfully tested to current standards in order for the agency mark to be applied to the product. Engineers must conduct tests honestly and ethically. Documentation of the test data should be recorded so that it can be reviewed years later if necessary. Test data must be honest, accurate and not falsified or altered. Logging failed test data is just as important as successful test data. The test data can be used in a court of law if someone is injured or killed by a product that has an agency label. Accurate and complete data is essential for a strong case.

Other ethical principles that an engineer may face are related to conduct. An engineer must maintain a professional work ethic and adhere to the code of ethics. One should not be bribed or tricked by a supplier or customer into receiving something of monetary value. Test data and other information, such as patent ideas or any other intellectual property, must be kept confidential. Customers must be able to trust the engineer or engineering service.

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