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Flight controls engineer vs stress analyst

The differences between flight controls engineers and stress analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight controls engineer and a stress analyst. Additionally, a flight controls engineer has an average salary of $99,619, which is higher than the $85,194 average annual salary of a stress analyst.

The top three skills for a flight controls engineer include C++, FAA and flight control systems. The most important skills for a stress analyst are abaqus, airframe, and structural integrity.

Flight controls engineer vs stress analyst overview

Flight Controls EngineerStress Analyst
Yearly salary$99,619$85,194
Hourly rate$47.89$40.96
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs46,8078,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a flight controls engineer do?

The main task of a flight controls engineer is to monitor the instrument systems of an airplane during the flight. Flight controls engineers communicate with dispatchers, assist the pilot, oversee the fuel, and regulate cabin pressure. They work on the design, state flow testing, and module of the flight control system. Their job includes investigating, recommending, and implementing flight control system solutions. They perform data analysis to ensure compliance with FAA. Also, they provide solutions to issues affecting the operations and developments of flights.

What does a stress analyst do?

A stress analyst is a type of aerospace engineer; they design, construct, and test aircraft. They may also work on missiles or spacecraft. They primarily study design requirements for the overall strength of a craft. They analyze the stress data of structural components and prepare mathematical models of issues.

Flight controls engineer vs stress analyst salary

Flight controls engineers and stress analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Flight Controls EngineerStress Analyst
Average salary$99,619$85,194
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $130,000Between $63,000 And $114,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Morgan Stanley
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between flight controls engineer and stress analyst education

There are a few differences between a flight controls engineer and a stress analyst in terms of educational background:

Flight Controls EngineerStress Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorAerospace EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Flight controls engineer vs stress analyst demographics

Here are the differences between flight controls engineers' and stress analysts' demographics:

Flight Controls EngineerStress Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 90.7% Female, 9.3%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.0% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between flight controls engineer and stress analyst duties and responsibilities

Flight controls engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead redesign review for cyclic stick, composite to metal, (CATIA).
  • Analyze and simulate suspension characteristics on MATLAB & CarSim for better ride performance.
  • Generate FORTRAN code to determine hinge moments of the primary and secondary control surface actuators.
  • Conduct thermal CAE analyses using RADTHERM and vehicle testing in support of design and development.
  • Provide field support for evaluating vehicle performances and NVH issues that enable quick customer resolution.
  • Provide critical support in planning, execution, and analysis for USAF targeting pod assets under development.
  • Show more

Stress analyst example responsibilities.

  • Design system architecture for managing and deploying distribute databases to sales representatives.
  • Create stress report of findings and recommendations to MRB group.
  • Ensure wellheads, hangers, and valves equipment meet API requirements.
  • Analyze the ultimate capacity of aircraft frame assembly ball panel cargo systems (ANSYS) under weight loads.
  • Develop initial analysis, sizing of MRB repairs, and department processes; review and approve stress analyses.
  • Create 3D thermal and structural meshes for complex turbine components in ANSYS and develop macros to apply complex boundary conditions.
  • Show more

Flight controls engineer vs stress analyst skills

Common flight controls engineer skills
  • C++, 31%
  • FAA, 10%
  • Flight Control Systems, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Aircraft Flight, 5%
  • Design Reviews, 5%
Common stress analyst skills
  • Abaqus, 7%
  • Airframe, 6%
  • Structural Integrity, 6%
  • Ansys, 6%
  • Analysis Tools, 5%
  • Fatigue Analysis, 5%

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