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The differences between principal design engineers and 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 a principal design engineer and a principal engineer. Additionally, a principal design engineer has an average salary of $134,300, which is higher than the $130,213 average annual salary of a principal engineer.
The top three skills for a principal design engineer include RF, principal design and CAD. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Principal Design Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,300 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $64.57 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 120,887 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Principal design engineers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Design Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $134,300 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $180,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a principal design engineer and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Design Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal design engineers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Principal Design Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |