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The differences between mechanical systems engineers and student 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 student engineer. Additionally, a mechanical systems engineer has an average salary of $85,387, which is higher than the $71,947 average annual salary of a student engineer.
The top three skills for a mechanical systems engineer include mechanical systems, CAD and system design. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,387 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $41.05 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 158,980 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| 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 student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Mechanical systems engineers and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,387 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $115,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Zoox | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a mechanical systems engineer and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| 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 student engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Systems Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| 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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.9% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |