Post job

Design engineer internship vs research engineer

The differences between design engineer interns and research 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 engineer internship and a research engineer. Additionally, a research engineer has an average salary of $96,945, which is higher than the $55,346 average annual salary of a design engineer internship.

The top three skills for a design engineer internship include python, RF and C++. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.

Design engineer internship vs research engineer overview

Design Engineer InternshipResearch Engineer
Yearly salary$55,346$96,945
Hourly rate$26.61$46.61
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs139,842136,763
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a design engineer internship do?

When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

What does a research engineer do?

Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.

Design engineer internship vs research engineer salary

Design engineer interns and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Design Engineer InternshipResearch Engineer
Average salary$55,346$96,945
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $79,000Between $67,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CityCupertino, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAmpereThe Citadel
Best paying industryTechnologyStart-up

Differences between design engineer internship and research engineer education

There are a few differences between a design engineer internship and a research engineer in terms of educational background:

Design Engineer InternshipResearch Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Design engineer internship vs research engineer demographics

Here are the differences between design engineer interns' and research engineers' demographics:

Design Engineer InternshipResearch Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 84.1% Female, 15.9%Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between design engineer internship and research engineer duties and responsibilities

Design engineer internship example responsibilities.

  • Engineer, manage and implement configuration and installation of complex Ethernet network backbones.
  • Design and analyze new and existing parts for retrofit systems on various models of work over rigs using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
  • Strengthen skills in presentation, PowerPoint.
  • Specialize in MOSFET switching circuits for powering/pulsing RF amplifiers.
  • Present designs and concepts to engineering team using PowerPoint.
  • Design large tonnage drilling equipment involving stress and FEA analysis.
  • Show more

Research engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead and organize the whole system debugging, test, and integration.
  • Prepare research proposals for the synthesis of small molecules to attain designate department goals.
  • Lead a team of software QA test engineers in the prioritization and assignment of tasks and the solving of technical problems.
  • Develop several LabVIEW applications used for data acquisition and logging.
  • Balance multiple embed system design and prototyping projects relate to jet engine diagnostics and prognostics.
  • Utilize high dexterity to assemble fuel cell hardware.
  • Show more

Design engineer internship vs research engineer skills

Common design engineer internship skills
  • Python, 9%
  • RF, 7%
  • C++, 5%
  • Verilog, 5%
  • Java, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common research engineer skills
  • Python, 18%
  • Java, 6%
  • Software Development, 5%
  • C, 4%
  • C++, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs