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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and equipment 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 equipment engineer. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $97,539 average annual salary of an equipment engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for an equipment engineer are equipment performance, semiconductor, and project management.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $97,539 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $46.89 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 108,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| 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.
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Vehicle controls engineers and equipment engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $97,539 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $69,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and an equipment engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and equipment engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 15.1% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |