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The differences between drive test engineers and controls designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a drive test engineer and a controls designer. Additionally, a controls designer has an average salary of $91,944, which is higher than the $76,872 average annual salary of a drive test engineer.
The top three skills for a drive test engineer include data collection, GPS and pre. The most important skills for a controls designer are PLC, control panels, and IDS.
| Drive Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,872 | $91,944 |
| Hourly rate | $36.96 | $44.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 36,537 | 79,729 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
For cars and other automobiles' best performance, drive test engineers can be asked for suggestions. From their expertise, one can ensure that the chosen car is equipped with the necessary accessories such as GPS, Bluetooth hubs, an air conditioner, locks, and USB ports. They train and teach people how to drive safely, following road laws and protocols. They monitor for enhancements and provide reports to stakeholders and managers for its application. They can troubleshoot minor software problems in automobiles.
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
Drive test engineers and controls designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Drive Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average salary | $76,872 | $91,944 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $103,000 | Between $69,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Visteon |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a drive test engineer and a controls designer in terms of educational background:
| Drive Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between drive test engineers' and controls designers' demographics:
| Drive Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 17.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |