Model engine mechanic vs product engineer

The differences between model engine mechanics and product 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 model engine mechanic and a product engineer. Additionally, a product engineer has an average salary of $89,645, which is higher than the $76,923 average annual salary of a model engine mechanic.

The top three skills for a model engine mechanic include C++, linux and LS-DYNA. The most important skills for a product engineer are CAD, product design, and project management.

Model engine mechanic vs product engineer overview

	Model Engine Mechanic	Product Engineer
Yearly salary	$76,923	$89,645
Hourly rate	$36.98	$43.10
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	69,146	157,888
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	6	6

What does a model engine mechanic do?

A model engine mechanic repairs and deals with small engines that power machinery such as lawn mowers, chain saws, or recreational sporting equipment. They are responsible for diagnosing, adjusting and repairing machinery. They are also responsible for performing routine machinery maintenance, lubricating parts, reinstalling parts, and interacting with the client to explain equipment issues. For this position, they need a mechanics certification.

What does a product engineer do?

A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.

Model engine mechanic vs product engineer salary

Model engine mechanics and product engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Model Engine Mechanic	Product Engineer
Average salary	$76,923	$89,645
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $105,000	Between $68,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Cornerstone Research	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between model engine mechanic and product engineer education

There are a few differences between a model engine mechanic and a product engineer in terms of educational background:

	Model Engine Mechanic	Product Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Michigan Technological University

Model engine mechanic vs product engineer demographics

Here are the differences between model engine mechanics' and product engineers' demographics:

	Model Engine Mechanic	Product Engineer
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%	Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 16.1% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.0% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between model engine mechanic and product engineer duties and responsibilities

Model engine mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
Provide fundamental understanding of thermoacoustic mechanism and assistance to device prototyping design of glass incorporating thermoacoustics.
Develop the flow of the accurate timing model for Verilog simulations for more accurate simulations results using SiliconSmart and PrimeTime.
Develop the flow of the accurate timing model for Verilog simulations for more accurate simulations results using SiliconSmart and PrimeTime.

Product engineer example responsibilities.

Lead team to achieve project objectives and report results to Sr. Management.
Manage outsourced $500k mix mode voice security IC development.
Manage various EHS activities at the Fremont, California facility.
Manage coordination of APQP, component timing, and technical resource allocation for commercial issues.
Manage the manufacturing of defense and aerospace electro-mechanical print circuit boards from prototype to production level.
Sketch concepts (Creo), coordinate prototype builds, provide assembly instructions and troubleshoot build issues.

Model engine mechanic vs product engineer skills

Common model engine mechanic skills

C++, 29%
Linux, 14%
LS-DYNA, 9%
Prototyping, 5%
In-House, 5%
CATIA, 4%

Common product engineer skills

CAD, 6%
Product Design, 5%
Project Management, 4%
C++, 4%
Solidworks, 3%
Product Development, 3%

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Model Engine Mechanic
Model Engine Mechanic vs Product Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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