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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and research 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 research engineer. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $96,945 average annual salary of a research engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Vehicle controls engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zoox | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |