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Senior research engineer vs senior process engineer

The differences between senior research engineers and senior process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior research engineer, becoming a senior process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior research engineer has an average salary of $115,047, which is higher than the $105,378 average annual salary of a senior process engineer.

The top three skills for a senior research engineer include python, java and project management. The most important skills for a senior process engineer are continuous improvement, project management, and data analysis.

Senior research engineer vs senior process engineer overview

Senior Research EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Yearly salary$115,047$105,378
Hourly rate$55.31$50.66
Growth rate2%10%
Number of jobs120,79856,510
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4142
Years of experience64

What does a senior research engineer do?

A Senior Research Engineer leads a team of engineers to develop and implement innovative products and technologies. They also provide training and technical support.

What does a senior process engineer do?

A Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.

Senior research engineer vs senior process engineer salary

Senior research engineers and senior process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Research EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Average salary$115,047$105,378
Salary rangeBetween $87,000 And $151,000Between $82,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaLouisiana
Best paying companyNetflixApple
Best paying industryFinanceEnergy

Differences between senior research engineer and senior process engineer education

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

Senior Research EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringChemical Engineering
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Senior research engineer vs senior process engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior research engineers' and senior process engineers' demographics:

Senior Research EngineerSenior Process Engineer
Average age4142
Gender ratioMale, 88.8% Female, 11.2%Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.0% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%4%

Differences between senior research engineer and senior process engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior research engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a proof-of-concept and prototyping program for a vehicle tagging and electronic tracking system.
  • Carry out ETL tasks using Java and Apache/Hadoop.
  • Design plastic and metal components for cells and batteries using Solidworks.
  • Select to travel to Malaysia to identify and resolve issues in filter prototyping and manufacture.
  • Develop test plans and set ups for imaging, chemical sensing, RF devices, and composite materials.
  • Project include optics, lasers, high-speed digital, high speed A2D, RF, liquid helium, etc.
  • Show more

Senior process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
  • Utilize simplified SPC charting for critical processes.
  • Assist MRB team in reviewing non-conforming product.
  • Implement SPC and write ISO-9000 documents for all chemical processes.
  • Provide engineering explanation for low CPK issues and solve QA problems.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, modify, and update process and design specification.
  • Show more

Senior research engineer vs senior process engineer skills

Common senior research engineer skills
  • Python, 15%
  • Java, 6%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Software Development, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • C, 4%
Common senior process engineer skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Process Design, 3%

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