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Aircraft designer vs simulation engineer

The differences between aircraft designers and simulation engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aircraft designer and a simulation engineer. Additionally, a simulation engineer has an average salary of $97,266, which is higher than the $91,919 average annual salary of an aircraft designer.

The top three skills for an aircraft designer include MATLAB, installation drawings and CATIA. The most important skills for a simulation engineer are python, MATLAB, and simulink.

Aircraft designer vs simulation engineer overview

Aircraft DesignerSimulation Engineer
Yearly salary$91,919$97,266
Hourly rate$44.19$46.76
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs46,74746,570
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Aircraft designer vs simulation engineer salary

Aircraft designers and simulation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Aircraft DesignerSimulation Engineer
Average salary$91,919$97,266
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $137,000Between $70,000 And $133,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between aircraft designer and simulation engineer education

There are a few differences between an aircraft designer and a simulation engineer in terms of educational background:

Aircraft DesignerSimulation Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorAerospace EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Aircraft designer vs simulation engineer demographics

Here are the differences between aircraft designers' and simulation engineers' demographics:

Aircraft DesignerSimulation Engineer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 86.7% Female, 13.3%Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 19.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 16.4% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between aircraft designer and simulation engineer duties and responsibilities

Aircraft designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage documentation of existing projects, perform ECN resolutions.
  • Upgrade models from Catia V4 to Catia V5.
  • Perform shipchecks including off site and on board sketch work.
  • Analyze and resolve deficiencies on composite parts and assemblies report from MRB.
  • Create new composite FOD shield to attach to forward fuselage for composite prop conformity.
  • Research airframe and engine log books on multiple types of aircraft to verify all necessary maintenance guidelines have been comply with.
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Simulation engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage hardware and software development, integration, and support of the HIL simulation laboratory.
  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Create numerous SBIR/STTR proposals for NASA and DOD.
  • Train clients in the usage of engineering software such as AutoCAD and MATLAB.
  • Integrate aircraft and telescope physics base sensor models using C++ and Java programming languages.
  • Integrate a Lockheed develop discrimination model (SIMULINK generate C++ code) into the simulation to provide additional fidelity.
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Aircraft designer vs simulation engineer skills

Common aircraft designer skills
  • MATLAB, 29%
  • Installation Drawings, 25%
  • CATIA, 24%
  • CAD, 12%
  • FAA, 10%
Common simulation engineer skills
  • Python, 14%
  • MATLAB, 6%
  • Simulink, 6%
  • Java, 5%
  • Systems Engineering, 4%
  • Linux, 4%

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