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Project lead engineer vs engineering project coordinator

The differences between project lead engineers and engineering project coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project lead engineer, becoming an engineering project coordinator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a project lead engineer has an average salary of $106,946, which is higher than the $73,371 average annual salary of an engineering project coordinator.

The top three skills for a project lead engineer include project management, renewable energy and project execution. The most important skills for an engineering project coordinator are project management, shop drawings, and powerpoint.

Project lead engineer vs engineering project coordinator overview

Project Lead EngineerEngineering Project Coordinator
Yearly salary$106,946$73,371
Hourly rate$51.42$35.27
Growth rate10%4%
Number of jobs98,018112,985
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4243
Years of experience412

What does a project lead engineer do?

Project lead engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for leading other professionals in completing a particular project. These engineers must develop a project management framework to be implemented throughout the organization based on the inputs from internal stakeholders and team members. They are required to train junior team members so that they can provide proper technical support functions. Project lead engineers must also prepare and review cost estimates for a variety of projects during bidding, construction, and post-construction phases.

What does an engineering project coordinator do?

An engineering project coordinator works with project managers and specialists to ensure that all aspects of the project are carried out and cared for. They make sure that work is done according to schedule, the staff is doing their job per timeframe, the budget is allocated for, and expenditures are accounted for. They must also have good communication skills to report to stakeholders and heads proficiently. They are also involved in project meetings and propose improvements.

Project lead engineer vs engineering project coordinator salary

Project lead engineers and engineering project coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Lead EngineerEngineering Project Coordinator
Average salary$106,946$73,371
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $146,000Between $53,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityCupertino, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between project lead engineer and engineering project coordinator education

There are a few differences between a project lead engineer and an engineering project coordinator in terms of educational background:

Project Lead EngineerEngineering Project Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityGeorgia Institute of Technology

Project lead engineer vs engineering project coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between project lead engineers' and engineering project coordinators' demographics:

Project Lead EngineerEngineering Project Coordinator
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 86.8% Female, 13.2%Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.2% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 12.8% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage4%13%

Differences between project lead engineer and engineering project coordinator duties and responsibilities

Project lead engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage IP environments using Cisco and Microsoft products.
  • Lead manufacturing process of all parts using lathe, mill, and CNC in university machine shop.
  • Manage the reverse engineering of all standard product lines to create SolidWorks models, product conceptualizations, and detail drawings.
  • Lead numerous ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 implementations from planning through certification in industries ranging from medical devices to government services.
  • Manage calibration system for multiple facilities/countries to assure compliance to ISO requirements.
  • Partner with the corporate PMO team to standardize reporting requirements for functionally manage initiatives.
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Engineering project coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a cross-function team to participate plant-wide ERP system launch; establish the prototype electrical operations and maintenance activities evaluation system.
  • Create and maintain BOM for product release.
  • Execute project plan, track & update project status on SharePoint.
  • Produce client instruction manuals providing and describing BOM, schematics, testing procedures.
  • Develop web parts for querying/maintenance the protocol contents in customize SharePoint list.
  • Perform required tasks relate to basic engineering as well as research-related activities involve with tax map department and GIS requirements.
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Project lead engineer vs engineering project coordinator skills

Common project lead engineer skills
  • Project Management, 14%
  • Renewable Energy, 7%
  • Project Execution, 5%
  • Engineering Design, 3%
  • Autocad, 3%
  • R, 3%
Common engineering project coordinator skills
  • Project Management, 17%
  • Shop Drawings, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Project Documentation, 6%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Project Coordination, 4%

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