What does a principal hardware engineer do?
Principal hardware engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real principal hardware engineer resumes:
- Design activity lead to performing PCB layout using an outside vendor and then debugging the initial prototypes.
- Supervise and manage compliance testing and debugging of emissions.
- Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
- Train senior and principal engineers in signal integrity, microwave, and RF design methodology.
- Interface with analogue and digital sensors using ADC and serial communications (RS232, SPI, I2C, RS485 )
- Work as liaison for EMC at NTS.
- Perform synthesis and timing closure.
- Perform environmental compliance testing for GPS sensors.
- Provide schedule for HW development major tasks.
- Used VHDL to design and develop a reset CPLD.
- Incorporate DFT and comprehensive BIST to largest degree practical.
- Conduct product EMI qualification tests and generate FAA test reports.
- Perform mixed signal circuit design for GPS receivers and relate avionics.
- Assist vendors in defining next generation RISC and DSP chip architectures.
- Obtain safety certification [] and EMI compliance of the XT250.
Principal hardware engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Principal Hardware Engineers are proficient in RF, Architecture, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Problem-solving skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Principal Hardware Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- RF, 12%
Introduced RF Systems Design Course to teach younger/less experienced engineers how to approach the design of DREX from a systems prospective.
- Architecture, 9%
Led project from early architecture and design requirements through all stages resulting in successful release to General Availability.
- C++, 5%
Developed, initiated and supported test methodologies in C++ codes for SPARC processors and Memory BufferASICs.
- FPGA, 5%
Leveraged experience with SoC/ASIC physical design to optimize operating frequency of projects utilizing XilinxUltrascale FPGA parts.
- GPS, 4%
Performed mixed signal circuit design for GPS receivers and relate avionics.
- Design Reviews, 4%
Collaborated in design reviews on the Customer Evaluation boards used both internally and externally.
Most principal hardware engineers use their skills in "rf," "architecture," and "c++" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential principal hardware engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a principal hardware engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what principal hardware engineers do because "computer hardware engineers use computer programming tools to analyze the digital circuits in hardware to determine the best design." Additionally, a principal hardware engineer resume shows how principal hardware engineers use analytical skills: "developed new modules and testbenches for dma data transfer using vhdl targeting xilinx series 7 devices. "
Problem-solving skills. Many principal hardware engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills. "computer hardware engineers identify complex problems in computer hardware, develop and evaluate possible solutions, and figure out the best way to implement them.," so a principal hardware engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways principal hardware engineer responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "investigated new passive switch ic components with board engineer sharing the data path to find a solution using the usb standard. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of principal hardware engineers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday principal hardware engineer duties, as "engineers often work on teams and must be able to communicate with other types of engineers, software developers and programmers, as well as with nontechnical team members." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided the vhdl interface to an arcnet chip (for back plane communication) running at a different clock speed. "
The three companies that hire the most principal hardware engineers are:
- Honeywell64 principal hardware engineers jobs
- Microsoft54 principal hardware engineers jobs
- Northrop Grumman11 principal hardware engineers jobs
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Compare different principal hardware engineers
Principal hardware engineer vs. Design verification engineer
A design verification engineer is responsible for running diagnostic tests on project outputs and adjusting methodologies as needed to achieve high-quality deliverables according to clients' specifications and business requirements. Design verification engineers create efficient techniques to improve products and services by utilizing various system tools and applications. They also design engineering protocols by analyzing previous test designs and calibrating them with the team. A design verification engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as highly-communicative and organizational, especially on meeting deadlines and working under minimal supervision.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between principal hardware engineers and design verification engineer. For instance, principal hardware engineer responsibilities require skills such as "gps," "design reviews," "hardware development," and "cad." Whereas a design verification engineer is skilled in "python," "debug," "ip," and "c." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Design verification engineers tend to make the most money working in the start-up industry, where they earn an average salary of $162,166. In contrast, principal hardware engineers make the biggest average salary, $132,634, in the telecommunication industry.design verification engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than principal hardware engineers. In fact, design verification engineers are 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Principal hardware engineer vs. Engineer
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, principal hardware engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "architecture," "fpga," "gps," and "design reviews." Meanwhile, an engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Engineers earn a lower average salary than principal hardware engineers. But engineers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $97,672. Additionally, principal hardware engineers earn the highest salaries in the telecommunication with average pay of $132,634 annually.In general, engineers achieve lower levels of education than principal hardware engineers. They're 7.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Principal hardware engineer vs. Senior staff engineer
A senior staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, principal hardware engineers are more likely to have skills like "hardware development," "signal integrity," "board layout," and "design verification." But a senior staff engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "java," "c #," and "software development."
Senior staff engineers make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $136,458. On the other hand, principal hardware engineers are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $132,634.senior staff engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to principal hardware engineers. Specifically, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Principal hardware engineer vs. Senior computer engineer
A senior computer engineer's main goal is to conduct research and design different types of computer hardware and software systems. They must know to manage servers and create automation in projects. They should also know how to resolve network issues and troubleshoot problems.
Types of principal hardware engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
