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The differences between electronic system engineers and senior principal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an electronic system engineer and a senior principal engineer. Additionally, a senior principal engineer has an average salary of $130,642, which is higher than the $92,086 average annual salary of an electronic system engineer.
The top three skills for an electronic system engineer include RF, C++ and EW. The most important skills for a senior principal engineer are python, architecture, and java.
| Electronic System Engineer | Senior Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,086 | $130,642 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $62.81 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 65,208 | 272,459 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An electronic system engineer works best when it comes to designing electronic components for the upgrading of gadgets and machines. They use their expertise in various industries such as commercial, medical, and military groups. They can also create a power-saving application to ensure prolonged use of gadgets. System engineers first test products for quality control and assurance before distributing them to the masses, ensuring the safety and comfortability of those who will use them.
A senior principal engineer is responsible for leading engineering tasks within an organization and reports project updates to senior management. Senior principal engineers develop strategic methods and principles to improve the technical stability and efficiency of the company's systems, creating business proposals according to clients' specifications, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and other service providers. They also train new staff and identify innovations and business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the company.
Electronic system engineers and senior principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronic System Engineer | Senior Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,086 | $130,642 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $123,000 | Between $93,000 And $182,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Randstad North America, Inc. | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between an electronic system engineer and a senior principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronic System Engineer | Senior Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electronic system engineers' and senior principal engineers' demographics:
| Electronic System Engineer | Senior Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |