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Process control engineer vs senior process engineer

The differences between process control engineers and senior process 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 process control engineer and a senior process engineer. Additionally, a senior process engineer has an average salary of $105,378, which is higher than the $87,430 average annual salary of a process control engineer.

The top three skills for a process control engineer include PLC, HMI and control systems. The most important skills for a senior process engineer are continuous improvement, project management, and data analysis.

Process control engineer vs senior process engineer overview

Process Control EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Yearly salary$87,430$105,378
Hourly rate$42.03$50.66
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs84,74956,510
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a process control engineer do?

In the manufacturing industry, a process control engineer specializes in planning and executing quality control processes in a company, ensuring that every equipment is working safely and efficiently. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and inspecting systems and machinery, coordinating with various department staff, devising strategies to improve processes, and recommending solutions for optimal services. A process control engineer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, resolving issues promptly. Furthermore, there are instances when a process control engineer must produce progress reports, presentations, and assessments.

What does a senior process engineer do?

A Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.

Process control engineer vs senior process engineer salary

Process control engineers and senior process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Process Control EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Average salary$87,430$105,378
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $114,000Between $82,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaLouisiana
Best paying companyKoch FertilizerApple
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between process control engineer and senior process engineer education

There are a few differences between a process control engineer and a senior process engineer in terms of educational background:

Process Control EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringChemical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Process control engineer vs senior process engineer demographics

Here are the differences between process control engineers' and senior process engineers' demographics:

Process Control EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.0% Female, 13.0%Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between process control engineer and senior process engineer duties and responsibilities

Process control engineer example responsibilities.

  • Design a PID controller to manage temperature and flow disturbances.
  • Obtain referrals, track hospitalized patients, interface with manage care intermediaries/medical personnel.
  • Design PLC base process control systems for hazardous locations waste gas destruction thermal oxidizers used in natural gas processing facilities.
  • Create 3D model designs for new projects using solidworks.
  • Validate process to ensure products meet GMP and GAMP standards.
  • Participate in HAZOP and LOPA meetings to assure all relate comments are properly note.
  • Show more

Senior process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
  • Utilize simplified SPC charting for critical processes.
  • Assist MRB team in reviewing non-conforming product.
  • Implement SPC and write ISO-9000 documents for all chemical processes.
  • Provide engineering explanation for low CPK issues and solve QA problems.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, modify, and update process and design specification.
  • Show more

Process control engineer vs senior process engineer skills

Common process control engineer skills
  • PLC, 10%
  • HMI, 7%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • Allen-Bradley, 4%
  • DCS, 4%
Common senior process engineer skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Process Design, 3%

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