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The differences between principal design engineers and 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 principal design engineer and an engineer. Additionally, a principal design engineer has an average salary of $134,300, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a principal design engineer include RF, principal design and CAD. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Principal Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,300 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $64.57 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 120,887 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A principal design engineer is responsible for designing and managing manufacturing automation, renewable and solar systems integration engineering projects, and energy reduction projects. You will oversee the project's design, estimate and secure materials, and manage schedules. Additionally, you will be responsible for drafting and executing construction contracts, monitor project status and progress, and conducting engineering research and investigations. You will also train new design engineers, guide other departments on engineering matters, and keeping up-to-date with the latest industry trends.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Principal design engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $134,300 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $180,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a principal design engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal design engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Principal Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 19.7% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |