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The differences between staff mechanical engineers and research 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 staff mechanical engineer and a research engineer. Additionally, a staff mechanical engineer has an average salary of $108,997, which is higher than the $96,945 average annual salary of a research engineer.
The top three skills for a staff mechanical engineer include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,997 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $52.40 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 158,987 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A staff mechanical engineer designs and develops engines, tools, and machinery. Staff mechanical engineers create products like refrigerators, power tools, car engines, and turbines. They take part in cross-departmental and multi-functional design teams. They write handbooks, bulletins, and reports for use by department or staff. They have to lead project management from making ideas to launching the product. The skills they need to know to include mechanical design, product development, electrical systems, and detail orientation.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Staff mechanical engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,997 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $144,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Rivian | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a staff mechanical engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between staff mechanical engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |