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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and automation & controls 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 vehicle controls engineer and an automation & controls engineer. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $89,542 average annual salary of an automation & controls engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for an automation & controls engineer are PLC, HMI, and troubleshoot.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $89,542 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $43.05 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 54,312 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A vehicle controls engineer specializes in designing and developing automotive systems and solutions. They usually work at automotive manufacturing facilities where they spearhead projects, conduct research and analyses, gather and analyze data, study client and market feedback, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems to develop strategies that will optimize operations. Moreover, a vehicle controls engineer develops prototypes and test structures, coordinates with fellow experts, troubleshoots problems, set safety and efficiency guidelines, and manages staff while implementing company policies and regulations.
An automation & controls engineer is responsible for designing technology systems to support business operations and maximize productivity, minimizing costing effects, and develop efficient and fast deliverables. Automation & controls engineers analyze client specifications and business requirements, running multiple diagnostic and troubleshooting tests to ensure the accuracy of outputs according to budget limitations and project management procedures. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, especially on writing system codes and a strong command of programming languages.
Vehicle controls engineers and automation & controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $89,542 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $68,000 And $116,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Carlos, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Integrated DNA Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and an automation & controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and automation & controls engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |