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The differences between design development engineers and project 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 design development engineer and a project engineer. Additionally, a design development engineer has an average salary of $92,179, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a design development engineer include solidworks, FEA and C++. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Design Development Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,179 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $44.32 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 174,870 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Design development engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for testing products for various industries such as electronics and synthetic textiles. These engineers must collaborate with the research and development (R&D;) organization to carry out initial new product development projects. They are required to coordinate a project with clients and consultants to ensure the approval of project permits and construction feasibility. Design development engineers must also possess skills in using software such as SolidWorks to model complex product parts and components.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Design development engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Development Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,179 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $124,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a design development engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Design Development Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between design development engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Design Development Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.0% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |