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The differences between system design engineers and mechanical design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a system design engineer, becoming a mechanical design engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a system design engineer has an average salary of $107,704, which is higher than the $75,821 average annual salary of a mechanical design engineer.
The top three skills for a system design engineer include system design, architecture and MATLAB. The most important skills for a mechanical design engineer are CAD, mechanical design, and GD.
| System Design Engineer | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,704 | $75,821 |
| Hourly rate | $51.78 | $36.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 113,582 | 120,258 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A system design engineer is an individual who participates in system design engineering and resolves manufacturing and service problems. System design engineers are required to collaborate with the system design team to research emerging technologies and develop new capabilities. They create design layouts by utilizing the use of CAD software such as AutoCad as well as supervise a group of CAD technicians. System design engineers must also provide customer service in the field and deliver individualized problem solving and system design support
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
System design engineers and mechanical design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| System Design Engineer | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $107,704 | $75,821 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $149,000 | Between $59,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a system design engineer and a mechanical design engineer in terms of educational background:
| System Design Engineer | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between system design engineers' and mechanical design engineers' demographics:
| System Design Engineer | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.4% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |