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The differences between controls design engineers and process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a controls design engineer, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a controls design engineer has an average salary of $90,850, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Controls Design Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
It is the responsibility of a controls design engineer to research and design a company's new systems and products. Controls design engineers oversee the production of complicated equipment and systems. They perform tests and analyze the design use associated with the system's element function. Part of their job is to seek consistent system results and operation within specific tolerances. They also draft blueprints, oversee manufacturing processes, and establish test prototypes.
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Controls design engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | California | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |