I think you are too focused on one meaning of the word engineering. In general terms, I would describe it as applying scientific and mathematics to solve a problem. And I can only speak for myself, I know quite a lot of software engineers and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them comparing to an engineer. I don’t think software engineers are higher or lower or something, they just do different things.
Although I will be the first to admit that IT in general often contains lots of ancaps, cryptobros, etc.
So… you could say they “develop” designs. Until they start giving out rings for them, they’re grifters in my eyes.
I think you are too focused on one meaning of the word engineering. In general terms, I would describe it as applying scientific and mathematics to solve a problem. And I can only speak for myself, I know quite a lot of software engineers and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them comparing to an engineer. I don’t think software engineers are higher or lower or something, they just do different things.
Although I will be the first to admit that IT in general often contains lots of ancaps, cryptobros, etc.