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Staff process engineer vs project engineer

The differences between staff process engineers and project 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 staff process engineer, becoming a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a staff process engineer has an average salary of $123,591, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.

The top three skills for a staff process engineer include process engineering, continuous improvement and sigma. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.

Staff process engineer vs project engineer overview

Staff Process EngineerProject Engineer
Yearly salary$123,591$75,050
Hourly rate$59.42$36.08
Growth rate10%2%
Number of jobs123,320176,689
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4241
Years of experience46

What does a staff process engineer do?

A staff process engineer oversees workflows. They are responsible for building rapport between staff members, crafting reports for management, conduct risk assessments, and implement process changes.

They monitor their workplace to locate areas where efficiency could be improved.

What does a project engineer do?

A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.

Staff process engineer vs project engineer salary

Staff process engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Staff Process EngineerProject Engineer
Average salary$123,591$75,050
Salary rangeBetween $93,000 And $162,000Between $55,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateLouisianaWashington
Best paying companyCheniere EnergyApple
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between staff process engineer and project engineer education

There are a few differences between a staff process engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:

Staff Process EngineerProject Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Staff process engineer vs project engineer demographics

Here are the differences between staff process engineers' and project engineers' demographics:

Staff Process EngineerProject Engineer
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 75.7% Female, 24.3%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.1% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage4%5%

Differences between staff process engineer and project engineer duties and responsibilities

Staff process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
  • Develop a method to get AutoCad isometric drawings relevant to relief valve transferred electronically to the relief valve sizing package.
  • Assist with characterization of CMOS photolithography process and optimize focus and exposure settings for all layers.

Project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage TCP/IP LAN environment for the time during implementation.
  • Support and manage the development of a CNC base electron beam drill.
  • Lead a MGPP six sigma project to improve the accuracy of 3D clutch cooling analysis
  • Manage the BHP enterprise wide migration from e-rooms to SharePoint for document management and team collaboration.
  • Manage the installation of a CNC laser cutting system with full responsibility for all aspects of the project.
  • Coordinate and manage activities of the 787-9 IPT's to complete the specific aircraft side of the test cells.
  • Show more

Staff process engineer vs project engineer skills

Common staff process engineer skills
  • Process Engineering, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Sigma, 6%
  • Process Equipment, 6%
  • Process Control, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
Common project engineer skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Construction Management, 6%
  • CAD, 4%
  • UL, 4%
  • Cost Estimates, 3%

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