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The differences between principal engineers and lead design 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 engineer and a lead design engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $108,490 average annual salary of a lead design engineer.
The top three skills for a principal engineer include java, architecture and python. The most important skills for a lead design engineer are CAD, project management, and lead design.
| Principal Engineer | Lead Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $130,213 | $108,490 |
| Hourly rate | $62.60 | $52.16 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 312,683 | 118,073 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A Lead Design Engineer produces design solutions that can be purchased, installed, and commissioned effectively. They are also responsible for the cost-effectiviness and safety of new designs.
Principal engineers and lead design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Engineer | Lead Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $130,213 | $108,490 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $177,000 | Between $82,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Agriculture |
There are a few differences between a principal engineer and a lead design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Engineer | Lead Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal engineers' and lead design engineers' demographics:
| Principal Engineer | Lead Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 15.5% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |