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The differences between verification engineers and lead hardware engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a verification engineer and a lead hardware engineer. Additionally, a lead hardware engineer has an average salary of $121,252, which is higher than the $104,158 average annual salary of a verification engineer.
The top three skills for a verification engineer include python, UVM and architecture. The most important skills for a lead hardware engineer are RF, system design, and FPGA.
| Verification Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,158 | $121,252 |
| Hourly rate | $50.08 | $58.29 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 38,261 | 39,713 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A verification engineer is responsible for running quality tests to the production processes to ensure high-quality outputs according to business requirements and client specifications. Verification engineers develop testing methodologies, inspect tools and equipment, and creating instructional manuals. They also resolve inconsistencies within the process, calibrating technical mechanisms, and identifying areas of improvement to enhance efficiency and build accurate deliverables. A verification engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in monitoring progress and coordinating with clients for necessary plan adjustments.
A lead hardware engineer partners with the mechanical engineering team and product team to design and define brand new hardware products. They lead the development of connectors, firmware protocols, cards, electric chargers, controllers, and chips. Besides supervising electrical and hardware engineers, lead hardware engineers also work hand-in-hand with business analysts, software engineers, and project managers. Other duties performed by lead hardware engineers include component sourcing and performing technical specification and technical requirements analysis. Also, they provide solutions for complicated material handling and paper challenges.
Verification engineers and lead hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Verification Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,158 | $121,252 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $143,000 | Between $89,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | Concord, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a verification engineer and a lead hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Verification Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between verification engineers' and lead hardware engineers' demographics:
| Verification Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 34.1% White, 47.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 29.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |