I'm a Materials Engineer (I currently work in Metallurgy and industrial refining, before that Lithium Ion battery research).

One thing I don't think was covered in the article was liability. I think that is a major thing that separates software engineering from other branches of engineering. Maybe it is not the case in the US but in my country if I contribute to an engineering project I can be held accountable in a court of law for my work.

I can see a future where software has similar laws applied to it.