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The differences between train engineers and product 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 train engineer, becoming a product engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a product engineer has an average salary of $89,645, which is higher than the $82,531 average annual salary of a train engineer.
The top three skills for a train engineer include pi planning, release train and scrum. The most important skills for a product engineer are CAD, product design, and project management.
A train engineer is responsible for operating train engines and controls to transport passengers from one station to another. Train engineers must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills to drive the train, including speed and battery pressure. They should also be able to interact with the passengers, requiring them to have good communication skills to remind them of the rules and regulations while boarding the train. A train engineer observes the train's engines for possible malfunctions and calls maintenance repairs as necessary to avoid potential hazards and delays.
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
Train engineers and product engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Train Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,531 | $89,645 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $133,000 | Between $68,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Chevron | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a train engineer and a product engineer in terms of educational background:
| Train Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between train engineers' and product engineers' demographics:
| Train Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 1.9% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.0% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 5% |