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Pharmaceutical process engineer vs production engineer

The differences between pharmaceutical process engineers and production engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a pharmaceutical process engineer and a production engineer. Additionally, a production engineer has an average salary of $89,727, which is higher than the $85,625 average annual salary of a pharmaceutical process engineer.

The top three skills for a pharmaceutical process engineer include FDA, GMP and pharmaceutical products. The most important skills for a production engineer are java, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical process engineer vs production engineer overview

Pharmaceutical Process EngineerProduction Engineer
Yearly salary$85,625$89,727
Hourly rate$41.17$43.14
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs51,07994,789
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Pharmaceutical process engineer vs production engineer salary

Pharmaceutical process engineers and production engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pharmaceutical Process EngineerProduction Engineer
Average salary$85,625$89,727
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $108,000Between $64,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Cheniere Energy
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between pharmaceutical process engineer and production engineer education

There are a few differences between a pharmaceutical process engineer and a production engineer in terms of educational background:

Pharmaceutical Process EngineerProduction Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNorthwestern University

Pharmaceutical process engineer vs production engineer demographics

Here are the differences between pharmaceutical process engineers' and production engineers' demographics:

Pharmaceutical Process EngineerProduction Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 60.9% Female, 39.1%Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 10.5% White, 73.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between pharmaceutical process engineer and production engineer duties and responsibilities

Pharmaceutical process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
  • Ensure processes are operating within environmental, safety, and FDA regulations.
  • Qualify new equipment and API to reduce equipment downtime risk and ensure ample supply of starting material.
  • Improve awareness of CAPA trends that significantly impact manufacturing.
  • Perform manufacturing investigations and facilitate CAPA plans for solid dosage products.
  • Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
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Production engineer example responsibilities.

  • Prepare tooling and gauging for CNC turning centers, manage the tooling cabinets, and rapport with vendors for tool sharpening.
  • Complete DMAIC project and 8D that lead to the resolution of vibration issue, project result in a $2M save.
  • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
  • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
  • Install new filtration systems for aluminum boring machine centers.
  • Have prepared and used FMEA, PPAP documents and perform MSA studies.
  • Show more

Pharmaceutical process engineer vs production engineer skills

Common pharmaceutical process engineer skills
  • FDA, 36%
  • GMP, 30%
  • Pharmaceutical Products, 13%
  • FMEA, 12%
  • Engineering Support, 5%
  • CAPA, 5%
Common production engineer skills
  • Java, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Process Control, 4%

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