Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between device engineers and senior controls 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 device engineer and a senior controls engineer. Additionally, a senior controls engineer has an average salary of $107,298, which is higher than the $97,458 average annual salary of a device engineer.
The top three skills for a device engineer include python, data analysis and JMP. The most important skills for a senior controls engineer are control systems, HMI, and C++.
| Device Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,458 | $107,298 |
| Hourly rate | $46.85 | $51.59 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 42,316 | 39,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A device engineer specializes in designing and developing mechanical devices and equipment in adherence to industry or client needs. They may work for companies that produce medical, construction, or even manufacturing devices. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place of employment, they typically include conducting research and analysis, creating prototypes and test structures, coordinating with staff and fellow engineers, performing installations and repairs, and providing technical support to staff as needed. Moreover, a device engineer participates in developing and promoting safety standards and regulations for the products and the workplace.
A senior controls engineer specializes in designing and developing control systems in various industries. Their responsibilities typically include identifying and understanding the company's needs, producing prototypes and test structures, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior controls engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Device engineers and senior controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Device Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,458 | $107,298 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $130,000 | Between $82,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Sagent Pharmaceuticals |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a device engineer and a senior controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Device Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between device engineers' and senior controls engineers' demographics:
| Device Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 24.8% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |