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The differences between mechanical systems engineers and project engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a mechanical systems engineer and a project engineer. Additionally, a mechanical systems engineer has an average salary of $85,387, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a mechanical systems engineer include mechanical systems, CAD and system design. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,387 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $41.05 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 158,980 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A mechanical systems engineer is responsible for designing tools and equipment, overseeing manufacturing processes, and running quality checks on the products to ensure adherence to business requirements and guidelines. Mechanical systems engineers analyze blueprints and specifications to recommend cost-reduction techniques and materials for production. They also inspect the operating systems and performance of equipment, resolving machinery failures, and modifying designs to improve feasibility. A mechanical systems engineer must have excellent technical and organizational skills, especially on researching current trends to identify opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Mechanical systems engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,387 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $115,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanical systems engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between mechanical systems engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 12.8% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |