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The differences between electronics 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 an electronics test engineer and a controls designer. Additionally, a controls designer has an average salary of $91,944, which is higher than the $80,610 average annual salary of an electronics test engineer.
The top three skills for an electronics test engineer include RF, labview and C++. The most important skills for a controls designer are PLC, control panels, and IDS.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,610 | $91,944 |
| Hourly rate | $38.75 | $44.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 70,182 | 79,729 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An electronics test engineer tests plans for use on electronic products, components, and systems. As an electronics test engineer, you will be responsible for evaluating and testing these products to ensure their quality. This role will require you to perform other tasks that include developing digital test patterns for mix signal testing and ASIC, developing procedures and test plans for electronic components and systems, and writing instructions for system assembly. You will also be responsible for evaluating the performance of electronic systems and providing recommendations for improvements.
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.
Electronics test engineers and controls designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average salary | $80,610 | $91,944 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $107,000 | Between $69,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Synaptics | Visteon |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electronics test engineer and a controls designer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics 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 electronics test engineers' and controls designers' demographics:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% 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% |