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The differences between failure analysis engineers and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a failure analysis engineer, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a failure analysis engineer has an average salary of $91,071, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a failure analysis engineer include corrective action, failure analysis and data analysis. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,071 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $43.78 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 43,275 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A failure analysis engineer is responsible for conducting quality control checks on operational business processes, identifying inconsistencies and errors, and writing recommendations to address failures and increase efficiency. Failure analysis engineers analyze incident reports of operational issues, assisting the technology team in designing high-performing software applications and network systems to support business functions and requirements. They also support the end-users in resolving issues, writing resolution, and creating instructional manuals for reference. A failure analysis engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as intensive knowledge of engineering products and services.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Failure analysis engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,071 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $124,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a failure analysis engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between failure analysis engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |