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Research engineer vs facility engineer

The differences between research engineers and facility 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 engineer and a facility engineer. Additionally, a research engineer has an average salary of $96,945, which is higher than the $89,623 average annual salary of a facility engineer.

The top three skills for a research engineer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a facility engineer are HVAC, plumbing, and project management.

Research engineer vs facility engineer overview

Research EngineerFacility Engineer
Yearly salary$96,945$89,623
Hourly rate$46.61$43.09
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs136,76394,268
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a research engineer do?

Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.

What does a facility engineer do?

A facilities engineer specializes in managing and maintaining equipment and machinery in manufacturing plants or similar settings. Duties will revolve around conducting research and analysis through extensive data and blueprints, evaluating systems using various reports, handling issues, providing corrective measures, and performing regular inspections and maintenance. Furthermore, it is essential to implement all safety standards and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

Research engineer vs facility engineer salary

Research engineers and facility engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research EngineerFacility Engineer
Average salary$96,945$89,623
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $138,000Between $63,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityMenlo Park, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelMeta
Best paying industryStart-upEnergy

Differences between research engineer and facility engineer education

There are a few differences between a research engineer and a facility engineer in terms of educational background:

Research EngineerFacility Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Research engineer vs facility engineer demographics

Here are the differences between research engineers' and facility engineers' demographics:

Research EngineerFacility Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 81.7% Female, 18.3%Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 10.2% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between research engineer and facility engineer duties and responsibilities

Research engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead and organize the whole system debugging, test, and integration.
  • Prepare research proposals for the synthesis of small molecules to attain designate department goals.
  • Lead a team of software QA test engineers in the prioritization and assignment of tasks and the solving of technical problems.
  • Develop several LabVIEW applications used for data acquisition and logging.
  • Balance multiple embed system design and prototyping projects relate to jet engine diagnostics and prognostics.
  • Utilize high dexterity to assemble fuel cell hardware.
  • Show more

Facility engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage equipment procurement and project AFE's.
  • Define drawing system format and manage cad system.
  • Forecast and manage a $185MM+ annual budget through AFE proposal packages.
  • Manage A/E interface, design change orders and ensure proper field investigation, research and development.
  • Create and manage MOC's and PSSR's within the plant PSM areas for all new installations and process changes.
  • Manage and provide training to a multicultural maintenance team using TPM principles and following standards such as AIB and BRC.
  • Show more

Research engineer vs facility engineer skills

Common research engineer skills
  • Python, 18%
  • Java, 6%
  • Software Development, 5%
  • C, 4%
  • C++, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
Common facility engineer skills
  • HVAC, 11%
  • Plumbing, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Autocad, 5%
  • Boilers, 3%

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