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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and mechanical 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 mechanical engineer. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Vehicle controls engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |