Misuse of the term "Engineer" in job ads

[davetong]

I've noticed an anti-pattern in job adverts of the mis-labelling of the job position of a "programmer" as a "software engineer". There are major differences between the two so why do job adverts do it?

[jmcguckin]

Technically, it's illegal in most states to represent one's self as an 'engineer' unless you hold an RPE license.

[itswindy]

Guess what a janitor is in New York? A custodial ENGINEER