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The differences between electronics test 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 an electronics test engineer and a senior controls engineer. Additionally, a senior controls engineer has an average salary of $107,298, 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 senior controls engineer are control systems, HMI, and C++.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,610 | $107,298 |
| Hourly rate | $38.75 | $51.59 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 70,182 | 39,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
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.
Electronics test engineers and senior controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,610 | $107,298 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $107,000 | Between $82,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Synaptics | Sagent Pharmaceuticals |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an electronics test engineer and a senior controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between electronics test engineers' and senior controls engineers' demographics:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| 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, 4.7% 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% |