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The differences between flight test engineers and simulation engineers 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 test engineer and a simulation engineer. Additionally, a simulation engineer has an average salary of $97,266, which is higher than the $90,538 average annual salary of a flight test engineer.
The top three skills for a flight test engineer include control room, data analysis and test procedures. The most important skills for a simulation engineer are python, MATLAB, and simulink.
| Flight Test Engineer | Simulation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,538 | $97,266 |
| Hourly rate | $43.53 | $46.76 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 26,384 | 46,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A flight test engineer is primarily in charge of testing and overseeing aircraft performances, ensuring every aspect aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other governing agencies' policies and regulations. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and developing efficient test structures and criteria, examining mechanical and electrical systems, coordinating with other staff to gather necessary documentation, assessing risks, and identifying an aircraft's strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, as a flight test engineer, it is essential to analyze data and produce extensive reports that explain all test procedures and observations in detail.
A simulation engineer is an engineering professional who uses technical expertise and knowledge of computer simulation technologies to test the performance, durability, and safety of engineering solutions. Simulation engineers must use a virtual environment when working on an incredibly intricate and expensive project such as a new helicopter, satellite, or submarine. They use computer programming languages such as C++ and Fortran to model simulated environment. Simulation engineers are also required to collaborate with the design and production teams so that they can accomplish a specific project.
Flight test engineers and simulation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Test Engineer | Simulation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,538 | $97,266 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $123,000 | Between $70,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | California |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Professional |
There are a few differences between a flight test engineer and a simulation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Flight Test Engineer | Simulation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between flight test engineers' and simulation engineers' demographics:
| Flight Test Engineer | Simulation Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 16.4% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |