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The differences between embedded systems 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 systems 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 $91,959 average annual salary of an embedded systems engineer.
The top three skills for an embedded systems engineer include embedded systems, python and software development. The most important skills for a software design engineer are software development, python, and software design.
| Embedded Systems Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,959 | $98,799 |
| Hourly rate | $44.21 | $47.50 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 77,484 | 315,080 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An embedded systems engineer is responsible for monitoring and creating embedded network systems and servers to support business operations. Embedded systems engineers run multiple diagnostic tests to identify technical solutions that would increase the efficiency and stability of the systems. They must have excellent technical skills for network resolution, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to write scripts and generate support for data integration. An embedded systems engineer updates infrastructure to boost optimization and identify opportunities for enhancing engineering techniques.
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 systems engineers and software design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Embedded Systems Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,959 | $98,799 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $120,000 | Between $74,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between an embedded systems engineer and a software design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Embedded Systems Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between embedded systems engineers' and software design engineers' demographics:
| Embedded Systems Engineer | Software Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.6% White, 51.4% 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% |