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The differences between controls design engineers and senior electrical 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 senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior electrical engineer has an average salary of $109,315, which is higher than the $90,850 average annual salary of a controls design engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Controls Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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 senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Controls design engineers and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |