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Control systems engineer vs engineer

The differences between control systems engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a control systems engineer and an engineer. Additionally, a control systems engineer has an average salary of $92,727, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.

The top three skills for a control systems engineer include PLC, HMI and C++. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.

Control systems engineer vs engineer overview

Control Systems EngineerEngineer
Yearly salary$92,727$92,077
Hourly rate$44.58$44.27
Growth rate3%2%
Number of jobs133,220618,207
Job satisfaction-4.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4541
Years of experience66

What does a control systems engineer do?

Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.

What does an engineer do?

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

Control systems engineer vs engineer salary

Control systems engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Control Systems EngineerEngineer
Average salary$92,727$92,077
Salary rangeBetween $72,000 And $118,000Between $65,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHuntsville, AL
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Best paying companyAppleFort Bend County
Best paying industryAutomotiveAutomotive

Differences between control systems engineer and engineer education

There are a few differences between a control systems engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:

Control Systems EngineerEngineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyMichigan Technological University

Control systems engineer vs engineer demographics

Here are the differences between control systems engineers' and engineers' demographics:

Control Systems EngineerEngineer
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 90.5% Female, 9.5%Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between control systems engineer and engineer duties and responsibilities

Control systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of smarter controls utilizing DeviceNet and Profibus architecture.
  • Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
  • Research NFPA, ISA, NEC, OSHA, specs and standards.
  • Install Allen-Bradley PLCS, interface to DCS.
  • Set up Ethernet communications from K-tron feeders back to DCS.
  • Assist commissioning team of gas analyzers for ISO compliance of equipment.
  • Show more

Engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage startup, trouble shooting and testing of PLC control equipment.
  • Lead project team to design and FDA validate 10-up extreme accuracy vial dosing system and CIP/SIP automate cleaning equipment.
  • Automate the creation of a WebLogic Admin and manage server deployment scheme within an installer for secure application deployment.
  • Install and test PLC in client own equipment on site - solve some logical and hardware issues to accomplish goal
  • Implement and manage continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS.
  • Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
  • Show more

Control systems engineer vs engineer skills

Common control systems engineer skills
  • PLC, 9%
  • HMI, 8%
  • C++, 7%
  • MATLAB, 6%
  • Simulink, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%
Common engineer skills
  • Python, 8%
  • Cloud, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • C #, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Java, 4%

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