Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between research and development engineers and equipment engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a research and development engineer and an equipment engineer. Additionally, a research and development engineer has an average salary of $100,169, which is higher than the $97,539 average annual salary of an equipment engineer.
The top three skills for a research and development engineer include python, R and solidworks. The most important skills for an equipment engineer are equipment performance, semiconductor, and project management.
| Research And Development Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,169 | $97,539 |
| Hourly rate | $48.16 | $46.89 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 187,910 | 108,449 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Research and development engineers and equipment engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research And Development Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,169 | $97,539 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $135,000 | Between $69,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Meta | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a research and development engineer and an equipment engineer in terms of educational background:
| Research And Development Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between research and development engineers' and equipment engineers' demographics:
| Research And Development Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 15.1% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |