why are scientists always the ones building & reverse-engineering technology?

[slimjim]

you know as oppose to ENGINEERS?

[Gen. Chris]

You don't know the scientists aren't also engineers.

[slimjim]

You don't know the scientists aren't also engineers.

if McKay, Carter, Rush, Volker and Zelenka where all also enginers you'd think it would have been stated at some point over the 15 years

[jelgate]

Thats easy. Its cheaper for McKay or Carter to create advanced technology then to hire an actor to serve solely as an engineer. Simliar to why Carter always doubled as Fraiser's nurse

[escyos]

Scientist study the alien technology and have more knowledge in the fancy energy particles and materials where a random engineer wouldn't have a clue.

[jeri]

Brody is an engineer on SGU. He has done a lot of building, repair and such. Most importantly he built a still.

[Gen. Chris]

Perhaps engineers are not allowed to be a part of the Stargate program...

[maneth]

Slimjim raises a fair point though and I wish Brody had been given more screentime. Scientists develop theories, engineers put those theories into practice. That said, the scientists in the SG program did more reverse engineering (why and how does this alien device work?) than anything else. Perhaps that's why they got away with having scientists rather than engineers most of the time.

[SF_and_Coffee]

Well, remember that a lot of the alien technology was based on alien scientific concepts that were unknown on Earth. You generally need scientists to figure out the science part. Engineers take science and apply it to get technology, but it all starts with getting a grasp on the scientific concepts first.

[pookey]

Didnt Mckay state once that he had a degree in engineering?
edit: yup, a degree in mechanical engineering

[rushy]

Brody's best scene was when he was frozen in the pod.
Should've shown more Franklin though...

[thekillman]

The simple answer is that the writers have no idea what the difference is.

[Gatefan1976]

The simple answer is that the writers have no idea what the difference is.

SNORT!!!

Agreed

[The Urban Spaceman]

you know as oppose to ENGINEERS?

Clearly most scientists are dual-classed to engineers. It's not like they're short on EXP to achieve such a feat.

[fems]

Carter probably took engineering in the Academy as well, just specialized in theoretical astrophysics for her PhD. It's never been mentioned what her bachelor(s) and or master(s) exactly are. Considering she wanted to be an astronaut and perhaps apply for the position as an Air Force nominee then it's very likely she would have some kind of engineering degree.

Dr Lee seems to be capable of anything, from reverse-engineering to botany so clearly he's a genius with multiple degrees as well.

And let's not forget that a lot of artifacts and technology were actually sent to Area 51 after they had been examined by the scientists (for the science part) at the SGC. As a matter of fact, I don't recall Carter actually coming up with something she reverse-engineered all by herself. A lot of technology she simply explained, or worked on but most likely with other scientists as well or created it by collaborating with the Tok'ra (like the weapon against the Kull Warriors).

In Red Sky SG-6 was sent to K'tau to build the rocket and it's possible one or more of its members were actually some kind of engineers.