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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and 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 a controls engineer. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $84,532 average annual salary of a controls engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $84,532 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $40.64 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 50,203 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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.
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
Vehicle controls engineers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $84,532 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $64,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and controls engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |