Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between electronic system engineers and design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an electronic system engineer and a design engineer. Additionally, an electronic system engineer has an average salary of $92,086, which is higher than the $77,134 average annual salary of a design engineer.
The top three skills for an electronic system engineer include RF, C++ and EW. The most important skills for a design engineer are C++, UL, and project management.
| Electronic System Engineer | Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,086 | $77,134 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $37.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 65,208 | 138,173 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An electronic system engineer works best when it comes to designing electronic components for the upgrading of gadgets and machines. They use their expertise in various industries such as commercial, medical, and military groups. They can also create a power-saving application to ensure prolonged use of gadgets. System engineers first test products for quality control and assurance before distributing them to the masses, ensuring the safety and comfortability of those who will use them.
A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
Electronic system engineers and design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronic System Engineer | Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,086 | $77,134 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $123,000 | Between $57,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Randstad North America, Inc. | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electronic system engineer and a design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronic System Engineer | Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electronic system engineers' and design engineers' demographics:
| Electronic System Engineer | Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |