The Association of German Engineers, the VDI, publishes ethical principles for the profession. In the 2021 edition, engineers act responsibly with regard to the possible consequences of their work. They follow a ranking. The public good comes before private interests. Sufficient safety comes before economy and mere function.
If a moral conflict at work cannot be resolved within the job, engineers should seek support from institutions. Then the principles name a last resort. Notfalls ist als letzter Ausweg die Herstellung von Öffentlichkeit oder sogar die Verweigerung weiterer Mitarbeit in Betracht zu ziehen. If necessary, as a last resort, an engineer should consider going public, or even refusing to continue the work.