Engineering Ethics

Engineer A leads a new engineering firm, staffed by engineers who have come from other firms. Engineer A develops a promotional brochure that contains: (1) a "list of clients" implying those companies on the list are clients of the firm; and, (2) a "list of projects of the firm" implying the projects were performed by the new firm. In fact, the client list and project list is a series of projects and companies of the firm's engineers for their former firms. What is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Keep the brochure as-is since the engineers had worked on those projects in the past.

B) Modify the brochure to clarify that the listed projects and clients were from the engineers' previous employment.

C) Remove the client and project lists entirely to avoid confusion.

D) Keep the brochure but include a disclaimer that the firm did not directly complete these projects.

B

Engineer B is hired by a client to review the work of Engineer A, with the goal of identifying suspected errors or omissions. However, Engineer B's fee is contingent upon the outcome of a court judgment or settlement against Engineer A. What is the most ethical course of action for Engineer B?

A) Proceed with the review as planned, as long as the findings are based on technical accuracy.

B) Accept the assignment but document all findings to ensure transparency.

C) Decline the assignment due to a conflict of interest and potential compromise of professional judgment.

D) Conduct the review but refrain from making conclusive statements about Engineer A's errors.

C

Engineer D is the Engineer of Record (EOR) as part of a design-build team led by Contractor W. Under the terms of an Agency funding grant, the project is required to have an independent peer review of the design, the design approach, compatibility with the site, and a constructability assessment related to the design approach. Engineer D prepares the design and drawings and directly hires Engineer F to perform the peer review. Is this arrangement ethical?

A) Yes, because Engineer F is a qualified professional capable of performing the review.

B) Yes, as long as Engineer F's conclusions are objective and technically sound.

C) No, because Engineer F is hired directly by Engineer D, compromising the independence of the review.

D) No, unless Engineer F explicitly states that their review is impartial and free from bias.

C

Engineer A, a licensed professional engineer on unpaid leave from ZYX Consultants, is also a graduate student enrolled in a research class at a university. The university plans to expand facilities. Professor Jones, who is a member of the university's building committee, asks Engineer A to serve as a paid consultant in preparing the Request for Proposal (RFP) and reviewing the submitted proposals. Engineer A accepts, knowing that ZYX Consultants is not submitting a proposal. Which of the following is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Accept both, since ZYX Consultants is not involved

B) Serve as a consultant and help prepare the RFP but decline to review the proposals due to a conflict of interest

C) Decline both to avoid any ethical concerns, as Engineer A is a student at the university

D) Accept the consulting role and review proposals but disclose their status as a student to ensure transparency

B

Engineer A, the Chief Engineer of a large firm, affixed their seal to plans prepared by both registered and non-registered engineers working under their general direction and supervision. Due to the size of the firm and the number of projects, Engineer A did not and could not personally review the plans in detail before sealing them. He believes he is ethically and legally correct in not doing so. According to the NSPE Code of Ethics, was Engineer A's action ethical?

A) Yes, because Engineer A was responsible for the hiring and oversight of qualified engineers.

B) Yes, as long as Engineer A provided general supervision and answered technical questions.

C) No, because Engineer A did not directly check or review the plans in detail before affixing their seal.

D) No, unless Engineer A had established clear internal review procedures within the firm.

C

Engineer A is hired to work in the quality control department of a company. After six weeks, Engineer A is asked to sign off on the design of testing procedures, protocols, and standards, despite lacking experience in this area and being unable to fully interpret the preliminary test results. When Engineer A expresses concern, Supervisor B (who is not an engineer) pressures him to sign off anyway. According to the NSPE Code of Ethics, what is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Sign off on the design since the company expects engineers to rely on the collective expertise of the team

B) Refuse to sign off, explaining that doing so would exceed their area of competence, and document concerns in writing

C) Sign off but include a disclaimer in the report stating that the procedures were not fully reviewed

D) Delay signing off and try to learn more about the procedures before making a final decision

B

Engineer A, a research professor at a major university, is the principal investigator on a research project funded by a commercial sponsor. Engineer A presents the research findings in a report, which includes charts, graphs, and conclusions. However, the sponsor alters the report by changing text, modifying tables, and removing figures without Engineer A's knowledge or approval. Which of the following is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Take no action, since the sponsor funded the research and has the right to use the results as they see fit.

B) Request that the sponsor either revert the report to its original form or remove Engineer A's name from the altered version.

C) Allow the changes but publish a separate version with the original findings.

D) Publicly criticize the sponsor and refuse to conduct further research.

B

Engineer A, owner of ABC Engineering, discovers that Engineer B, a former employee who recently started EFG Engineering, is claiming "extensive project experience" on the EFG website. The website lists past clients and projects, implying that Engineer B and EFG Engineering were responsible for the designs. However, Engineer A was the Engineer of Record, and the work was completed under ABC Engineering, where Engineer B was only a junior engineer. What is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Ignore it since Engineer B was involved in on the projects

B) Threaten Engineer B with legal action and professional consequences unless they publicly admit to falsification

C) Publicly denounce Engineer B to warn potential clients

D) Send a formal cease-and-desist letter to Engineer B, demand correction of the misrepresentation, and if necessary, report the violation to the state licensing board

D

Engineer A, is an expert witness in a legal dispute concerning a defective mechanical system. In a written testimony, Engineer A states he holds a baccalaureate degree and a Ph.D., in mechanical engineering. However, Engineer A's undergraduate degree is in engineering technology, not mechanical engineering, and his doctoral degree is an honorary title. Engineer B learns of these misrepresentations while speaking with Engineer C, an opposing expert witness, who is unaware of the falsified credentials. What is Engineer B's ethical obligation in this situation?

A) Engineer B has no obligation to act because Engineer A's testimony is unrelated to engineering practice

B) Engineer B should notify Engineer A privately and take no further action

C) Engineer B should report Engineer A's misrepresentation to the appropriate engineering board

D) Engineer B should ignore the situation unless someone else files a complaint

C

Engineer A is hired by AutoFlow, a startup company, to help develop a new simulation software package. Engineer A discovers that the company is using proprietary software without a license. When Engineer A raises concerns, the company president assures that the issue will be resolved, but several months pass without any corrective action. Engineer A's repeated attempts to have leadership address the matter have failed. What is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A?

A) Continue working on the project, trusting that management will resolve the licensing issue in the future.

B) Insist that AutoFlow either obtain the necessary license or secure a legal opinion confirming that no copyright infringement is occurring.

C) Quietly resign from the company to avoid further involvement.

D) Immediately report AutoFlow to the authorities without further internal discussions.

B

Engineer A is hired to design an automated conveyor for a manufacturing facility. The client, Manufacturer B, wants to incorporate a roller mechanism into the system. However, the roller design is patented by Inventor C. B consults Attorney D, who advises that C has a valid patent and recommends negotiating. Negotiations fail. B hires Attorney E, who disputes the legitimacy of the patent and claims it may be invalid. B instructs A to proceed with the patented roller, despite the unresolved legal dispute. What is the most ethical course of action for A?

A) Proceed with the design as instructed since Attorney E believes the patent may be invalid

B) Inform Inventor C that Manufacturer B is planning to use his patented design without a license

C) Proceed with the design but document concerns about potential patent infringement

D) Refuse work on the design until Manufacturer B and Inventor C resolve the patent dispute

D

Engineer A works as a quality control engineer at Boilco, a boiler manufacturer. Boilco began using a cheaper supplier for boiler valves and electric switches to reduce costs. However, A's product testing showed that the new components were inferior and potentially unsafe. A rejected the first shipment, but A's supervisor overruled him. A escalated the issue to senior management, who terminated A for insubordination. What is the most ethical course of action for Engineer A should have taken in this situation?

A) Accept the decision of the supervisor and stop raising concerns to avoid professional conflict.

B) Privately report the issue to a professional engineering body but avoid public disclosure.

C) Take the issue to the federal agency, as the company's actions could endanger public safety.

D) Sue Boilco for wrongful termination and keep the safety issue confidential until legal matters are settled.

C

Engineer A is a professional engineer retained by Attorney X to conduct a forensic engineering investigation regarding a mechanical product failure that caused extensive injuries. A completes the investigation, submits a written report on the failure's cause, and X proceeds with settlement negotiations based on the report. A discovers that the data used in the investigation was inaccurate and that using corrected data would change the conclusions. X has not yet finalized the settlement, and A is unsure how to proceed. What is A's most ethical course of action?

A) Do nothing, since the report has already been submitted, and settlement negotiations are underway

B) Inform X immediately about the incorrect data and revised conclusions

C) Keep the discovery private unless specifically asked about it by X

D) Correct the report and send the updated version to the defendant's attorney to ensure fairness in the legal process

B

Engineer A is hired by Client X to design a custom component for a system. After an initial meeting, X contacts A multiple times over three weeks—once via email and three times by phone—seeking an update on the project timeline, as X needs this information to secure financing the system's implementation. A fails to respond to all inquiries due to other business commitments and contacts X after three weeks. As a result, X cannot obtain favorable financing, though no other damages occur. What is the most ethical course of action A should have taken?

A) Prioritize ongoing business commitments and respond to X when time allows

B) Inform X upfront about potential response delays due to workload

C) Continue working on other projects and assume that X will follow up again if the information is critical

D) Ignore the inquiry since the delay is unlikely to result in direct financial loss beyond lost financing opportunities

B

Engineer faculty members at a university filed a formal grievance against their department head with the dean of engineering. Prior to this, individual faculty members attempted to resolve issues through discussions, but these were unsuccessful. After notifying the department head, all 22 faculty members outlined their grievances and submitted it to the dean. The department head rebutted the allegations and accused them of damaging his professional reputation. Was it ethical for the faculty engineers to submit their grievances to the dean?

A) No, engineers must remain loyal to their department and should not escalate conflicts

B) Yes, as long as they made good-faith efforts to resolve the issues before

C) No, because publicly filing grievances could harm the department head's reputation

D) Yes, because engineers have the right to report any disagreement with a supervisor, regardless of prior efforts to resolve it

B

Engineer A, the president of a state engineering society, wrote an article in the society's magazine discussing negotiations to merge two engineering organizations. In the article, Engineer A criticized Engineer B, the president of the other society, for issuing incorrect meeting minutes, failing to honor agreements, and engaging in improper procedural conduct. Engineer B interpreted these statements as an attack on his professional reputation. Was Engineer A's public criticism of Engineer B unethical?

A) Yes, because professional engineers must always avoid making critical statements about others.

B) Yes, because the article contained strong opinions that may have damaged Engineer B's reputation.

C) No, because Engineer A acted within his role as a professional society officer and was engaged in open debate.

D) No, because engineers have unrestricted free speech in all professional settings.

C

Engineer A served as an expert witness in a case involving the safety practices of a manufacturing company where Engineer B was the director of engineering. A testified that the company's safety practices were inadequate and may have contributed to injuries. Several months later, B publicly accused A of being unethical and biased, alleging that A ignored important evidence in his testimony. B did not provide any substantive support for these claims. Was B's public criticism of A ethical?

A) Yes, A's testimony impacted B's company, and B had a right to defend it

B) Yes, engineers are allowed to publicly criticize the work of other engineers without restriction

C) No, B's statements were unsupported accusations that could damage A's reputation

D) No, any criticism of an engineer's professional conduct must be kept entirely private

C

T/F: It is sufficient that Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, carefully consider the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

F

T/F: Engineers may perform services outside of their areas of competence as long as they inform their employers or clients.

F

T/F: Engineers may issue subjective and partial statements if such statements are in writing and consistent with the best interests of their employers, clients, or the public.

F

T/F: Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not be required to engage in truthful acts when required to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

F

T/F: Engineers may not be required to follow the provisions of state or federal law when such actions could endanger or compromise their employer or their clients' interests.

F

T/F: If engineers' judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall notify their employers or clients and such other authority as may be appropriate.

T

T/F: Engineers may review but shall not approve those engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable standards.

F

T/F: Engineers shall not reveal facts, data...information without the prior consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not permit the use of their names or associates in business ventures with any person or firm that they believe is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise, unless such enterprise or activity is deemed consistent with applicable state or federal law.

F

T/F: Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code, following a period of 30 days during which the violation is not corrected, shall report thereon to appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance as may be required.

F

T/F: Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not affix their signatures to plans or documents dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence, but may affix their signatures to plans or documents not prepared under their direction and control where they have a good faith belief that such plans or documents were competently prepared by another designated party.

F

T/F: Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility for coordination of an entire project and shall sign and seal the engineering documents for the entire project, including each technical segment of the plans and documents.

F

T/F: Engineers shall strive to be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony, with primary consideration for the best interests of the engineers' clients or employers. The engineers' reports shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony, which shall bear the date on which the engineers were retained by the clients to prepare the reports.

F

T/F: Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not issue statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking and revealing the existence of any interest the engineers may have in the matters.

T

T/F: Engineers may not participate in any matter involving a conflict of interest if it could influence or appear to influence their judgment or the quality of their services.

F

T/F: Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for services on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not solicit but may accept financial or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible, if such compensation is fully disclosed.

F

T/F: Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental or quasi-governmental body or department may participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or provided by them or their organizations in private or public engineering practice as long as such decisions do not involve technical engineering matters for which they do not posses professional competence.

F

T/F: Engineers shall not solicit nor accept a contract from a governmental body on which a principal or officer of their organization serves as a member.

T

T/F: Engineers shall not intentionally falsify their qualifications nor actively permit written misrepresentation of their or their associate's qualifications. Engineers may accept credit for previous work performed where the work was performed during the period the engineers were employed by the previous employer. Brochures or other presentations incident to the solicitation of employment shall specifically indicate the work performed and the dates the engineers were employed by the firms.

F

T/F: Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, nor receive, either directly or indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by a public authority, or which may be reasonably construed by the public as having the effect or intent of influencing the award of a contract unless such contribution is made in accordance with applicable federal or state election campaign finance laws and regulations.

F

T/F: Engineers shall acknowledge their errors after consulting with their employers or clients.

F