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Engineer technical staff vs senior principal engineer

The differences between engineers technical staff and senior principal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an engineer technical staff, becoming a senior principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior principal engineer has an average salary of $130,642, which is higher than the $102,286 average annual salary of an engineer technical staff.

The top three skills for an engineer technical staff include RF, java and technical support. The most important skills for a senior principal engineer are python, architecture, and java.

Engineer technical staff vs senior principal engineer overview

Engineer Technical StaffSenior Principal Engineer
Yearly salary$102,286$130,642
Hourly rate$49.18$62.81
Growth rate10%2%
Number of jobs174,870272,459
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4241
Years of experience46

Engineer technical staff vs senior principal engineer salary

Engineers technical staff and senior principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Engineer Technical StaffSenior Principal Engineer
Average salary$102,286$130,642
Salary rangeBetween $76,000 And $136,000Between $93,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCruise AutomationAirbnb
Best paying industryTelecommunicationProfessional

Differences between engineer technical staff and senior principal engineer education

There are a few differences between an engineer technical staff and a senior principal engineer in terms of educational background:

Engineer Technical StaffSenior Principal Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborMichigan Technological University

Engineer technical staff vs senior principal engineer demographics

Here are the differences between engineers technical staff' and senior principal engineers' demographics:

Engineer Technical StaffSenior Principal Engineer
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 88.5% Female, 11.5%Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.2% White, 66.1% 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 Percentage4%5%

Differences between engineer technical staff and senior principal engineer duties and responsibilities

Engineer technical staff example responsibilities.

  • Engage in developing database for efficiently managing and tracking work orders within departments.
  • Conduct FM/CDMA testing to verify RF performance of handset designs.
  • Generate a technician's handbook for AMPS/FM manual RF testing in accordance with federal standards.
  • Provide high level database operational support and ensure data consistency and integrity across all systems.
  • Re-Define prior system network synchronization and timing distribution architecture, and work with hardware & software design engineers to implement.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance, perform carpentry, plumbing and electrical repairs.

Senior principal engineer example responsibilities.

  • Help hire temporary workers, manage hours and tasks relate to insurance claim data extraction.
  • Lead DoD clients in the achievement of business objectives through the implementation of software and business process solutions.
  • Lead technology teams charge with full life cycle development processes involving system requirements and system architecture.
  • Support software development of IR tools on UNIX base workstation environment.
  • Serve as backup SME for RCRA, CERCLA, CAA, and OSHA (HAZWOPER).
  • Assist coding & debugging of various external interface hardware blocks.
  • Show more

Engineer technical staff vs senior principal engineer skills

Common engineer technical staff skills
  • RF, 17%
  • Java, 13%
  • Technical Support, 9%
  • Test Procedures, 7%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Product Development, 5%
Common senior principal engineer skills
  • Python, 8%
  • Architecture, 7%
  • Java, 7%
  • Cloud, 6%
  • DOD, 5%
  • Software Development, 5%

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