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Tool design engineer vs structural design engineer

The differences between tool design engineers and structural design 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 tool design engineer and a structural design engineer. Additionally, a tool design engineer has an average salary of $76,918, which is higher than the $75,662 average annual salary of a structural design engineer.

The top three skills for a tool design engineer include solidworks, jigs and GD. The most important skills for a structural design engineer are structural design, CAD, and autocad.

Tool design engineer vs structural design engineer overview

Tool Design EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Yearly salary$76,918$75,662
Hourly rate$36.98$36.38
Growth rate2%7%
Number of jobs114,47857,187
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a tool design engineer do?

Tool Design Engineers are responsible for the design of new tools as well as making improvements to existing ones. They are responsible for drafting schematics and blueprints, determining tool specifications and production as well as carrying out calculations to establish tools cost, materials, and dimensions. Other duties include communicating with suppliers to implement tool modifications, tracking performance targets, and conducting cost budgeting. A good Tool Design Engineer aims to reduce tool breakdowns and minimize maintenance costs.

What does a structural design engineer do?

A Structural Design Engineer designs drawings, specifications, and computer models of structures for building contractors. They help design hospitals, office blocks, houses, bridges, ships, and other structures.

Tool design engineer vs structural design engineer salary

Tool design engineers and structural design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tool Design EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average salary$76,918$75,662
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $102,000Between $54,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityCupertino, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleGoogle
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between tool design engineer and structural design engineer education

There are a few differences between a tool design engineer and a structural design engineer in terms of educational background:

Tool Design EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Tool design engineer vs structural design engineer demographics

Here are the differences between tool design engineers' and structural design engineers' demographics:

Tool Design EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 93.5% Female, 6.5%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between tool design engineer and structural design engineer duties and responsibilities

Tool design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
  • Design, document and procure prototype and production ready tooling using AutoCad, ProE and SolidWorks.
  • Draft and revise new and current drawings using computer aid programs such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
  • Used both manual drafting techniques and CAD/CAM systems.
  • Compile programs for use with wire EDM operations.
  • Compose CNC manual code for turning operations and grinding template for finish machining of gear tooth profile.
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Structural design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team on a year-long retrofit design effort for the F/A-18 E/F wing.
  • Review of design standards and procedures to conform to current IBC, ASCE, AWWA and ACI codes.
  • Perform stress analysis by hand and using FEA.
  • Load rating analysis and calculation methods base on AASHTO LRFR specifications.
  • Design steel pipe supports & frames for liquid natural plants using ASCE & AISC.
  • Perform seismic and wind load calculations in compliance with the ASCE 7-05, IBC and Ohio building codes.
  • Show more

Tool design engineer vs structural design engineer skills

Common tool design engineer skills
  • Solidworks, 8%
  • Jigs, 8%
  • GD, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 6%
  • Aerospace, 5%
  • NX, 5%
Common structural design engineer skills
  • Structural Design, 15%
  • CAD, 10%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • GD, 5%
  • Aided Design, 5%

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