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Digital design engineer vs special project engineer

The differences between digital design engineers and special 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 digital design engineer and a special project engineer. Additionally, a digital design engineer has an average salary of $108,993, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.

The top three skills for a digital design engineer include digital design, synthesis and verilog. The most important skills for a special project engineer are DOD, design changes, and engineering support.

Digital design engineer vs special project engineer overview

Digital Design EngineerSpecial Project Engineer
Yearly salary$108,993$70,934
Hourly rate$52.40$34.10
Growth rate3%2%
Number of jobs87,16790,999
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4541
Years of experience66

What does a digital design engineer do?

A digital design engineer is responsible for developing technology solutions to create digital content and improve its marketing factors in various media platforms. Digital design engineers research the current trends in the technology industry to provide timely deliverables according to business requirements and client specifications. They also identify cost-efficient techniques and resources for outputs and ensure that the product maintains or exceeds high-quality standards. A digital design engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to navigate different network platforms and assess the feasibility of every design.

What does a special project engineer do?

A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.

Digital design engineer vs special project engineer salary

Digital design engineers and special project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital Design EngineerSpecial Project Engineer
Average salary$108,993$70,934
Salary rangeBetween $82,000 And $143,000Between $52,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANewark, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonRhode Island
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryAutomotiveHospitality

Differences between digital design engineer and special project engineer education

There are a few differences between a digital design engineer and a special project engineer in terms of educational background:

Digital Design EngineerSpecial Project Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityStanford University

Digital design engineer vs special project engineer demographics

Here are the differences between digital design engineers' and special project engineers' demographics:

Digital Design EngineerSpecial Project Engineer
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between digital design engineer and special project engineer duties and responsibilities

Digital design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage DSP communication applications and algorithms for cellular base stations and cable modems.
  • Perform EMI debugging and validate system to achieve compliance certification for both FCC and CE marks.
  • Perform back-end flow from RTL code synthesis, timing driven physical design to achieve a timing closure type-out database.
  • Design and build digital, analog, and RF circuitry for digital circuit test equipment
  • Incorporate the knowledge of the end-to-end ASIC design flow from RTL to GDSII file generation.
  • Redesign a parameter encoder ASIC (600k gates , 0.35u), performing VHDL updates to a largely schematic-base design.
  • Show more

Special project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a database for storage of CNC machining programs and engineering drawings.
  • Manage several industrial production building HVAC equipment replacement projects.
  • Develop software to automate generation of engineering drawings and BOM.
  • Manage custom product design & generate all require documentation for both customer and manufacturing groups using AutoCAD rel.
  • Implement cost reduction strategies through aggressive RFP and bidding processes while optimizing distribution processes and maintaining excellent customer service standards.
  • Perform basic setup of fanuc control CNC machines.
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Digital design engineer vs special project engineer skills

Common digital design engineer skills
  • Digital Design, 12%
  • Synthesis, 8%
  • Verilog, 5%
  • RTL, 4%
  • SOC, 4%
  • RF, 4%
Common special project engineer skills
  • DOD, 10%
  • Design Changes, 10%
  • Engineering Support, 10%
  • R, 8%
  • Prototype, 7%
  • CAD, 6%

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