what is the difference between a designer and an engineer 11

[toro45]

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

 

[bioengr82]

toro45:

From a previous thread:

Designer vs. Engineer

 

[bradpa77]

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.

 

[berkshire]

I do not want to show my age here, but many years ago before the days of CAD, I took a job as a drafter in a shop in the US. I had been a Draughtsman In the UK so I did what I had done there. I did the layout, sized the ducts, calculated the fan sizes and horsepower and specified the drives. My supervisor came by a little later to see how I was doing and said " Who told you to do that? That not a drafters job." So I said "whose job is it?" He said, "What you have done there, the engineer should do."
My next question was" What does the engineer get paid?"
B.E.

 

[Twoballcane]

And that is why television repair people are called engineers in the UK…

 

[ctopher]

What do engineers get paid? Another subject and thread.
It depends on industry and location.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
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[tbwttihs]

I asked a draughtman at my company that very same question when I started work here, and his answer was "About 10 grand"...

 

[Ashereng]

craigp83, which way?

 

[Heckler]

What's the diffence between a designer and an engineer? It depends what industry.

 

[berkshire]

My question “what does the engineer get paid?”
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.

 

[MrMojito]

Calculations.

 

[whyun]

In the structural world, designer is a euphemism for unlicensed engineers or drafters.

Unlicensed engineers can be called design engineers, engineering designers. Drafters, typically experienced ones, are often called senior designers.

 

[newbie73]

Hello All...

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 )

 

[CarolinaPE]

It could boil down to the different industries. I have worked as a product "design engineer" for major manufacturers. Most design engineers developed or designed the product under the supervision of the engineering manager and held engineering degrees. I have also worked in the MEP field and designer is completely different than engineer. Designers in MEP tend to be heavy on the draftsman side but some do possess good technical knowledge as well. They tend to have either a HS education or a two-year degree with heavy emphasis on drafting. Engineers in MEP seem to handle more issues such as sizing equipment, code research, solutions to different situations, calculations, etc. They tend to have engineering degrees and look to obtain professional licensure.

 

[boldhomer]

I'm called a design engineer at my company because I decide what the parts should look like and then I create the models and drawings to support what I have designed. The final product is completely my responsibly. I only hold a 2 year Drafting and Design degree. I think the Job title comes more from my responsibilites with this comapny rather than my eduacation. If I quit and went to another company then I might be only a designer/drafter.