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The differences between optical design engineers and special 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 an optical design engineer and a special project engineer. Additionally, an optical design engineer has an average salary of $94,750, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.
The top three skills for an optical design engineer include optical design, MATLAB and zemax. The most important skills for a special project engineer are DOD, design changes, and engineering support.
| Optical Design Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,750 | $70,934 |
| Hourly rate | $45.55 | $34.10 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 49,731 | 90,999 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An optical design engineer is an optics specialists who uses their scientific skills to design solutions and solve optical problems. Optical design engineers are essential in the field of laser technology, telescopes, optical lenses, and fiber optics. You will be responsible for designing and building devices that enable better utilization of optics technology and requires in-depth scientific optical knowledge as well as high technical design abilities. Optical design engineers are problem solvers in the field of optics.
A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
Optical design engineers and special project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Design Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $94,750 | $70,934 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $125,000 | Between $52,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | Newark, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an optical design engineer and a special project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Optical Design Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between optical design engineers' and special project engineers' demographics:
| Optical Design Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 17.2% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |