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The differences between principal design engineers and project controls 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 project controls engineer. Additionally, a principal design engineer has an average salary of $134,300, which is higher than the $86,685 average annual salary of a project controls engineer.
The top three skills for a principal design engineer include RF, principal design and CAD. The most important skills for a project controls engineer are project controls, project management, and construction management.
| Principal Design Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,300 | $86,685 |
| Hourly rate | $64.57 | $41.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 120,887 | 38,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| 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 Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.
Principal design engineers and project controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Design Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $134,300 | $86,685 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $180,000 | Between $63,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a principal design engineer and a project controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Design Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between principal design engineers' and project controls engineers' demographics:
| Principal Design Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |