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The differences between embedded engineers and software design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an embedded engineer, becoming a software design engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software design engineer has an average salary of $98,799, which is higher than the $95,419 average annual salary of an embedded engineer.
The top three skills for an embedded engineer include python, C and C++. The most important skills for a software design engineer are software development, python, and software design.
| Embedded Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,419 | $98,799 |
| Hourly rate | $45.87 | $47.50 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 24,338 | 315,080 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Embedded engineers are skilled professionals who are responsible for conducting all activities that are related to embedded systems. These engineers are required to design and configure hardware components of embedded systems such as processor, controller, memory, and serial communication port. They must participate in reviewing the requirements, design, and source code of embedded systems as well as identify opportunities for software process and development cycle time improvements. Embedded engineers must troubleshoot malfunctioning embedded systems while providing written updates to managers and their clients.
A software design engineer or SDE is part of a software development enterprise. Software design engineers determine the problems or issues and figure out how to establish programs to ease and automate the situations. They fabricate style sheets for the management of the individual aspects of huge engineering projects. It is their job to develop strategies for hardware architecture and software engineering. They also handle and mentor engineering interns for professional guidance.
Embedded engineers and software design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Embedded Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $95,419 | $98,799 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $125,000 | Between $74,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between an embedded engineer and a software design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Embedded Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between embedded engineers' and software design engineers' demographics:
| Embedded Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 31.7% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |