How To Become A Start-Up Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a start-up engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Daniel Armentrout

Start-Up Engineers create consistent operational procedures. Interestingly, they develop, test, and debug software programs in a variety of programming languages. Software Engineers investigate information requirements to develop software solutions. They also collaborate with coworkers to put technical designs into action. Furthermore, they provide textual content for knowledge transfer. The engineers collaborate with business users, data scientists, and project managers across departments. In addition, they examine software, code, requirements, system risks, and software reliability and ensure quality assurance and software testing.

As a Start-Up Engineer, you must be courageous to delve into unfamiliar territory. You must possess debugging capabilities, and you must be practical in your approach to decision-making. Plus, you must possess a strong mindset that focuses on the creation of tools. You must also possess grit, mixed with a desire to learn and reflect. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering is the benchmark for employment. Start-Up Engineers earn between $87,736 to $166,564 yearly.

What general advice would you give to a start-up engineer?

Daniel Armentrout

Clinical Associate Professor/Associate Chair

The excessive number of baby boomer engineers are retiring at high rates and you as a new engineering graduate are desperately needed to make up for their loss in the workforce. You will face challenges in your career we could not anticipate or prepare you for in your education. You will have to adapt and continue to learn new fields of study which did not exist when you graduated. We have given you tools to learn and you will have to use those tools to remain relevant throughout your career. Find your place as an engineer when you can be effective, help humanity, and have fun. Plot a career path where you can utilize your strengths and challenge your mind to do new things. Contribute to making a better world and you will be able to enjoy immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

ScoreStart-Up EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $96,978

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.11%

Asian 10.35%

Black or African American 3.38%

Hispanic or Latino 9.22%

Unknown 4.59%

White 72.35%

Gender

female 6.62%

male 93.38%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a start-up engineer

Explore start-up engineer education requirements

Most common start-up engineer degrees

Bachelor's

71.6 %

Associate

13.3 %

Master's

7.2 %

Start to develop specific start-up engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Test Results	11.28%
Control Systems	10.60%
Test Procedures	9.32%
Project Management	7.37%
OSHA	6.06%

Complete relevant start-up engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New start-up engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a start-up engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real start-up engineer resumes.

Research start-up engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
Implement Honeywell TDC 3000 DCS control system, including operating graphics, alarm management hierarchy and operator training.
Develop and apply software PLC & NC software routines and patches.
Execute commissioning documents for GMP HVAC units, non-hygienic systems, and hygienic systems.

Prepare your start-up engineer resume

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