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The differences between simulation engineers and product design 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 simulation engineer, becoming a product design engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a simulation engineer has an average salary of $97,266, which is higher than the $94,827 average annual salary of a product design engineer.
The top three skills for a simulation engineer include python, MATLAB and simulink. The most important skills for a product design engineer are CAD, mechanical design, and GD.
| Simulation Engineer | Product Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,266 | $94,827 |
| Hourly rate | $46.76 | $45.59 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 46,570 | 170,485 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A simulation engineer is an engineering professional who uses technical expertise and knowledge of computer simulation technologies to test the performance, durability, and safety of engineering solutions. Simulation engineers must use a virtual environment when working on an incredibly intricate and expensive project such as a new helicopter, satellite, or submarine. They use computer programming languages such as C++ and Fortran to model simulated environment. Simulation engineers are also required to collaborate with the design and production teams so that they can accomplish a specific project.
A Product Design Engineer designs new products that customers will want to purchase. They are responsible for designing, modeling, and testing prototypes for products.
Simulation engineers and product design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Simulation Engineer | Product Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,266 | $94,827 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $133,000 | Between $69,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a simulation engineer and a product design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Simulation Engineer | Product Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between simulation engineers' and product design engineers' demographics:
| Simulation Engineer | Product Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 16.4% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.2% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |