Ermm I think not chaps. The term Engineer was originally applied to someone who tended an engine. In those dim and distant days this usually meant something big and nasty that knocked down walls. As this was usually acommpanied by hails of arrows and buckets of boiling oil, engineers usually tended to be big hairy chaps with large hammers and scorched eyebrows.
The affectation of Chartering engineers is a fairly modern thing although in days gone by many of the trades guilds were similarly chartered by royal appointment.
So from it's original derivation as some one who tended to engines then the appelation of engineer can be applied to many trades. I don't think that there were many trebuchet operators who had degrees.
Perhaps to save on confusion it might be better if the Academic world came up with a more suitable designation for those who do not wield hand tools to carry on their proffession.
Say Mechanical prognosticator or Aeronautical Adviso.
This would hopefully then stop people carping on about what they're called.
Dons nomex underpants, and climbs into the bunker!