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Process development engineer vs product development engineer

The differences between process development engineers and product development engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a process development engineer, becoming a product development engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a process development engineer has an average salary of $89,754, which is higher than the $86,075 average annual salary of a product development engineer.

The top three skills for a process development engineer include data analysis, DOE and R. The most important skills for a product development engineer are CAD, solidworks, and product development.

Process development engineer vs product development engineer overview

Process Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Yearly salary$89,754$86,075
Hourly rate$43.15$41.38
Growth rate10%2%
Number of jobs118,616202,155
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4241
Years of experience46

What does a process development engineer do?

A Process Development Engineer creates and implements process technology for product manufacturing to optimize workflow, improve operating capabilities, and help ensure workers' safety. They help enhance the speed and quality of processing from a variety of industries, such as mining or manufacturing.

What does a product development engineer do?

A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.

Process development engineer vs product development engineer salary

Process development engineers and product development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Process Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Average salary$89,754$86,075
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $114,000Between $64,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASunnyvale, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleAmazon
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between process development engineer and product development engineer education

There are a few differences between a process development engineer and a product development engineer in terms of educational background:

Process Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMichigan Technological University

Process development engineer vs product development engineer demographics

Here are the differences between process development engineers' and product development engineers' demographics:

Process Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage4%5%

Differences between process development engineer and product development engineer duties and responsibilities

Process development engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage implementation of improve paste compounding (including extrusion) process.
  • Perform process validation and product qualification per FDA standards for medical device submissions.
  • Perform IQ, OQ and PQ on the fixtures and equipment used.
  • Own and maintain product BOM, and operator instruction through prototype and pilot runs.
  • Draft and design layouts of materials and products using SOLIDWORKS 3D and AUTOCAD to company standards.
  • Participate in design reviews, product and process FMEA's and relate drug development management processes.
  • Show more

Product development engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage design control including FMEA risk analysis, surgeon clinical input documentation, design verification and validation activities.
  • Manage project from conceptual design through final debugging and animal/clinical testing resulting in a new business unit within the company.
  • Create java test template design to vary equation specs and loop pattern bursts.
  • Develop and maintain websites in HTML, CSS and JAVA script by writing, debugging, and testing.
  • Set up, troubleshot and maintain the Linux and Unix machines used in the development, build and test of ADINA.
  • Participate in engineering DFMEA activities.
  • Show more

Process development engineer vs product development engineer skills

Common process development engineer skills
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • DOE, 5%
  • R, 4%
  • Process Engineering, 4%
  • Statistical Analysis, 4%
  • FDA, 4%
Common product development engineer skills
  • CAD, 6%
  • Solidworks, 5%
  • Product Development, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Product Design, 4%

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