Model engine mechanic vs research and development engineer

The differences between model engine mechanics and research and development 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 research and development engineer. Additionally, a research and development engineer has an average salary of $100,169, 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 research and development engineer are python, R, and solidworks.

Model engine mechanic vs research and development engineer overview

	Model Engine Mechanic	Research And Development Engineer
Yearly salary	$76,923	$100,169
Hourly rate	$36.98	$48.16
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	69,146	187,910
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 research and development engineer do?

Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.

Model engine mechanic vs research and development engineer salary

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

	Model Engine Mechanic	Research And Development Engineer
Average salary	$76,923	$100,169
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $105,000	Between $74,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Cornerstone Research	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between model engine mechanic and research and development engineer education

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

	Model Engine Mechanic	Research And Development Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Model engine mechanic vs research and development engineer demographics

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

	Model Engine Mechanic	Research And Development Engineer
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%
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, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between model engine mechanic and research and development 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.

Research and development engineer example responsibilities.

Manage, design, and assist in development of product family reusable code libraries, visualization and GUI components.
Manage test suite jobs for the team creating configurations and building binaries for C++ code using Jenkins and bash shell.
Charge with managing a range of key operational functions in support of 3D visualization studio with $1.3M in annual contracts.
Lead a team of software QA test engineers in the prioritization and assignment of tasks and the solving of technical problems.
Manage quality issues during development/production and ensure ISO compliance.
Manage and maintain production equipment, including conformance to ISO calibration requirements.

Model engine mechanic vs research and development engineer skills

Common model engine mechanic skills

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

Common research and development engineer skills

Python, 7%
R, 6%
Solidworks, 5%
CAD, 5%
Data Analysis, 4%
Patients, 4%

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Model Engine Mechanic vs Research And Development Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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