@mitch2 In the Civil Engineering field, where I have practiced for over 25 years as a PE, almost every discipline requires that design work be either performed by a licensed professional or, if done by non-licensed individuals within an agency, reviewed, approved, and stamped by a licensed PE. These individuals are often EITs (Engineers in Training), who must also hold an ABET-accredited engineering degree. Those working in civil engineering without such a degree can be certified as Technicians.
Individuals who are neither PE nor EIT but manage engineering projects are typically called Project Managers—not Project Engineers per se. These titles do not represent a hierarchy but rather a rigorously defined delineation of professional responsibility established by state law. That’s why I’m not accustomed to hearing some people casually call themselves “engineers.” It’s somewhat similar to how an instructor or part-time teaching fellow might refer to themselves as a “Professor,” which is in fact the highest and most distinguished academic title.
I understand that those practicing in the field of acoustic engineering are not necessarily subject to the same licensing requirements. As you mentioned, many highly respected individuals design outstanding audio components based on their deep knowledge and experience. However, some people misuse or take advantage of the title “engineer” without the proper awareness or restraint—using it to sound authoritative merely because of the title itself.
