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The differences between senior test engineers and senior systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior test engineer, becoming a senior systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior systems engineer has an average salary of $108,121, which is higher than the $82,775 average annual salary of a senior test engineer.
The top three skills for a senior test engineer include test cases, python and java. The most important skills for a senior systems engineer are architecture, linux, and java.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,775 | $108,121 |
| Hourly rate | $39.80 | $51.98 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 245,814 | 166,742 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
A senior systems engineer specializes in overseeing network systems, management tools, software, and hardware within a company or an organization. Their primary responsibility is to install, maintain, and resolve complex system issues using their years of extensive knowledge and expertise. They can also provide insights, troubleshooting, and technical support should it be needed. Furthermore, as a senior systems engineer, it is also their responsibility to lead, supervise, and coordinate with a team of skilled system engineers while in adherence to company policies and regulations.
Senior test engineers and senior systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,775 | $108,121 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $82,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Roku | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior test engineer and a senior systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior test engineers' and senior systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |