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Design engineer internship vs system design engineer

The differences between design engineer interns and system design 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 design engineer internship, becoming a system design engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a system design engineer has an average salary of $107,704, 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 system design engineer are system design, architecture, and MATLAB.

Design engineer internship vs system design engineer overview

Design Engineer InternshipSystem Design Engineer
Yearly salary$55,346$107,704
Hourly rate$26.61$51.78
Growth rate2%3%
Number of jobs139,842113,582
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4145
Years of experience62

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 system design engineer do?

A system design engineer is an individual who participates in system design engineering and resolves manufacturing and service problems. System design engineers are required to collaborate with the system design team to research emerging technologies and develop new capabilities. They create design layouts by utilizing the use of CAD software such as AutoCad as well as supervise a group of CAD technicians. System design engineers must also provide customer service in the field and deliver individualized problem solving and system design support

Design engineer internship vs system design engineer salary

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

Design Engineer InternshipSystem Design Engineer
Average salary$55,346$107,704
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $79,000Between $77,000 And $149,000
Highest paying CityCupertino, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAmpereMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between design engineer internship and system design engineer education

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

Design Engineer InternshipSystem Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMichigan Technological University

Design engineer internship vs system design engineer demographics

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

Design Engineer InternshipSystem Design Engineer
Average age4145
Gender ratioMale, 84.1% Female, 15.9%Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%6%

Differences between design engineer internship and system design 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

System design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and harmonize cooperation between architect, structure engineer, HVAC engineer, plumping engineer, and electrical engineer.
  • Lead the PCB design effort including component layout/placement, handling of critical nets, and test issues including PCB scan.
  • Apply technical knowledge in electromagnetic theory and microwave technology to plan and manage projects concern with ground-base radar systems.
  • Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
  • Design system level test hardware for the IC designers from QFN packages to highly dense FPGA.
  • Assist in the electrical design and generate drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
  • Show more

Design engineer internship vs system design engineer skills

Common design engineer internship skills
  • Python, 9%
  • RF, 7%
  • C++, 5%
  • Verilog, 5%
  • Java, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common system design engineer skills
  • System Design, 11%
  • Architecture, 8%
  • MATLAB, 7%
  • C++, 5%
  • CAD, 5%
  • Project Management, 3%

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