Professional Ethics & Standards Flashcards

An automotive engineer receives a gift from a supplier valued at $300 during contract negotiations. Company policy prohibits gifts over $50. The engineer must:

Answer: Return the gift and report it per company policy

Policy-violating gifts during negotiations must be returned and reported to maintain procurement integrity and avoid the appearance of improper influence.

Which document establishes minimum performance requirements that U.S. automotive engineers must meet for occupant protection in frontal crashes?

Answer: FMVSS No. 208

FMVSS No. 208 sets federal occupant crash protection requirements for frontal impacts, including airbag and seatbelt performance standards.

An engineer is asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent them from reporting a known safety defect to regulators. The engineer should:

Answer: Refuse to sign because NDAs cannot lawfully prohibit safety defect reporting to regulators

Federal law prohibits NDAs from being used to suppress safety defect reporting to NHTSA; engineers must refuse such terms.

A company asks an engineer to present biased test data to win a government contract. Participating in this would most directly violate which ethical principle?

Answer: Fairness and honesty in public statements

Presenting biased data to a government body constitutes fraud and violates the foundational engineering ethics obligation to be honest in all professional representations.

In engineering ethics, 'due diligence' during a vehicle acquisition or merger most directly requires engineers to:

Answer: Thoroughly assess safety, compliance, and liability risks of existing designs

Due diligence requires engineers to identify technical risks including safety defects and compliance gaps in acquired designs before assuming responsibility.

An engineer disagrees with a superior's decision on a safety-critical design parameter. After internal escalation fails, the most appropriate next step is to:

Answer: Contact NHTSA or the relevant regulatory body if the issue poses an unreasonable safety risk

When internal channels fail to address genuine safety risks, engineers have an ethical and sometimes legal obligation to report to the appropriate regulatory authority.

Continuing education requirements for the CAE credential primarily serve to ensure that certified engineers:

Answer: Maintain current knowledge as automotive technology and standards evolve

Continuing education requirements ensure that certified engineers stay competent as technologies such as electrification, autonomy, and new safety standards emerge.