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The differences between failure analysis engineers and research and development 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 research and development engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a research and development engineer has an average salary of $100,169, which is higher than the $91,071 average annual salary of a failure analysis engineer.
The top three skills for a failure analysis engineer include corrective action, failure analysis and data analysis. The most important skills for a research and development engineer are python, R, and solidworks.
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,071 | $100,169 |
| Hourly rate | $43.78 | $48.16 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 43,275 | 187,910 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
Failure analysis engineers and research and development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,071 | $100,169 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $124,000 | Between $74,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a failure analysis engineer and a research and development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between failure analysis engineers' and research and development engineers' demographics:
| Failure Analysis Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% |
| 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, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |