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Senior control systems engineer vs communications engineer

The differences between senior control systems engineers and communications 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 senior control systems engineer and a communications engineer. Additionally, a senior control systems engineer has an average salary of $109,721, which is higher than the $83,540 average annual salary of a communications engineer.

The top three skills for a senior control systems engineer include MATLAB, C++ and project management. The most important skills for a communications engineer are RF, unified communications, and unity.

Senior control systems engineer vs communications engineer overview

Senior Control Systems EngineerCommunications Engineer
Yearly salary$109,721$83,540
Hourly rate$52.75$40.16
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs154,43971,942
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a senior control systems engineer do?

As senior control systems engineer's main task is to provide automatic solutions to their company through technologies such as DCS, PLC, and custom-built panels. They are responsible for designing and analyzing control systems for their company and identifying any potential issues. They troubleshoot the malfunctions within the control systems of the company. In addition to that, they provide the company with system designs and engineering tasks.

What does a communications engineer do?

The duties of a communications engineer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around designing and developing new systems to optimize operations, performing research and assessments to identify company needs, determining the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, and providing solutions on issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a communications engineer, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure a safe and productive work environment, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Senior control systems engineer vs communications engineer salary

Senior control systems engineers and communications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Control Systems EngineerCommunications Engineer
Average salary$109,721$83,540
Salary rangeBetween $84,000 And $142,000Between $62,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleShearman & Sterling
Best paying industryEnergyFinance

Differences between senior control systems engineer and communications engineer education

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

Senior Control Systems EngineerCommunications Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityStanford University

Senior control systems engineer vs communications engineer demographics

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

Senior Control Systems EngineerCommunications Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.9% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between senior control systems engineer and communications engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior control systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of smarter controls utilizing DeviceNet and Profibus architecture.
  • Define control system philosophies, I/O lists, site network diagrams, approve SWD, create logic and HMI code.
  • Analyze and resolve Ethernet network issues.
  • Review compressor controls, hazop and cause & effect analyses.
  • Well-Verse with Allen-Bradley PLCs including ControlLogix, PLC5, and SLC.
  • Design vehicle controls system software using MATLAB Simulink to meet the government standards.
  • Show more

Communications engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage project to migrate over to the new manage firewall system.
  • Manage Internet connectivity using redundant Cisco routers and manage Nokia firewalls.
  • Manage multiple construction and service provisioning projects within several service centers in south-east Michigan.
  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Develop DFMEA's, PPAP'd parts and support all builds.
  • Design and prepare pre-production drawings using CAD-CATIA to customer-base specifications, maintaining PPAP requirements.
  • Show more

Senior control systems engineer vs communications engineer skills

Common senior control systems engineer skills
  • MATLAB, 11%
  • C++, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • HMI, 8%
  • Process Control, 4%
  • Control System Design, 4%
Common communications engineer skills
  • RF, 7%
  • Unified Communications, 6%
  • Unity, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • VoIP, 5%
  • IP, 4%

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