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The differences between spacecraft systems engineers and flight test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a spacecraft systems engineer and a flight test engineer. Additionally, a spacecraft systems engineer has an average salary of $96,404, which is higher than the $90,538 average annual salary of a flight test engineer.
The top three skills for a spacecraft systems engineer include systems engineering, MATLAB and spacecraft systems. The most important skills for a flight test engineer are control room, data analysis, and test procedures.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,404 | $90,538 |
| Hourly rate | $46.35 | $43.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 78,004 | 26,384 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A spacecraft system engineer develops simulations and performs analysis. They create design documents and work with teams to carry out projects. They must also maintain amicable relationships with customers.
A flight test engineer is primarily in charge of testing and overseeing aircraft performances, ensuring every aspect aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other governing agencies' policies and regulations. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and developing efficient test structures and criteria, examining mechanical and electrical systems, coordinating with other staff to gather necessary documentation, assessing risks, and identifying an aircraft's strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, as a flight test engineer, it is essential to analyze data and produce extensive reports that explain all test procedures and observations in detail.
Spacecraft systems engineers and flight test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,404 | $90,538 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $128,000 | Between $66,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Illinois |
| Best paying company | - | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a spacecraft systems engineer and a flight test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between spacecraft systems engineers' and flight test engineers' demographics:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |