Post job

What does a principal project engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

A principal project engineer spearheads and oversees engineering projects, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to set guidelines and objectives, provide technical and engineering support to various teams, gather and analyze data, identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing procedures, implement solutions against problem areas, and conducting inspections to ensure that all processes adhere to the company's quality standards and safety regulations, including the state and industry laws. Moreover, as a principal project engineer, it is essential to monitor the progress of all operations, training junior engineers when necessary.

On this page

Principal project engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real principal project engineer resumes:

  • Lead a team of contracts management, engineering and marketing to secure multi-million dollar contracts from DoD and commercial customers.
  • Manage multiple crews for installation, implementation and service of RF and telecommunications systems throughout Florida.
  • Construct thread-safe, share memory libraries for concurrent data capture in Java and C++.
  • Used a variety of debugging tools to trace and debug multithreading applications on both development and production stage.
  • Design $2.5 million dollar class 8 clean room including 3 clean room manufacturing areas, gown room and QA office.
  • Integrate PCoIP infrastructure in DC and deploy thin clients in office as a security and cost saving replacement for Linux workstations.
  • Apply data- driven architecture solutions to enable rapid prototyping of new features for proof-of-concept.
  • Spearhead compute infrastructure and Linux desktop bring-up efforts for newly acquire Marcom facility in Canada.
  • Develop detailed construction drawing sets for solar PV projects using AutoCAD, including mechanical equipment, electrical and structural installation.
  • Perform calculations for new designs; performance analysis and validation of designs.
  • Perform complex calculations to establish manufacturing and installation specifications.
  • Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.

Principal project engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Principal Project Engineers are proficient in Project Management, Program Management, and DOD. They’re also known for soft skills such as Speaking skills, Writing skills, and Listening skills.

We break down the percentage of Principal Project Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 24%

    Provided construction, interior build out and project management services to commercial developers and property owners located in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor.

  • Program Management, 13%

    Worked closely with Program Management.

  • DOD, 7%

    Developed shipyard performance reports and conducted analysis for DoD resource allocation studies.

  • Risk Management, 6%

    Developed the first comprehensive Risk Management & Project Plans detailing stage-gate methodology including periodic human factors/usability testing.

  • Project Scope, 3%

    Designed and implemented project scope including field drawing and field device specifications.

  • Earned Value Management, 3%

    Analyze Key Performance Indicators, perform Earned Value Management, pricing, and margin calculations.

Common skills that a principal project engineer uses to do their job include "project management," "program management," and "dod." You can find details on the most important principal project engineer responsibilities below.

Speaking skills. The most essential soft skill for a principal project engineer to carry out their responsibilities is speaking skills. This skill is important for the role because "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Additionally, a principal project engineer resume shows how their duties depend on speaking skills: "represented srnl off site doe complex-wide funding circles. "

Writing skills. Many principal project engineer duties rely on writing skills. "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference," so a principal project engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways principal project engineer responsibilities rely on writing skills: "project management, proposal writing and marketing for future projects. "

Listening skills. principal project engineers are also known for listening skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to principal project engineer responsibilities, because "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." A principal project engineer resume example shows how listening skills is used in the workplace: "communicated with customers and project management"

Creativity. principal project engineer responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." This resume example shows what principal project engineers do with creativity on a typical day: "inventoried over 500 cubic feet of information within the ne group of doe. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for principal project engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of principal project engineers all the time, as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An excerpt from a real principal project engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a principal project engineer does: "designed numerous site structures using computer programs such as mathcad, sap2000, gtstrudl and solidworks. "

Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to principal project engineer responsibilities. Much of what a principal project engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of principal project engineers: "defined system architecture and design concepts, performed tradeoff analysis, and resolved discrepancies. "

Most common principal project engineer skills

Choose from 10+ customizable principal project engineer resume templates

Build a professional principal project engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your principal project engineer resume.
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume
Principal Project Engineer Resume

Compare different principal project engineers

Principal project 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.

We looked at the average principal project engineer salary and compared it with the wages of an engineer. Generally speaking, engineers are paid $30,013 lower than principal project engineers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between principal project engineers and engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like project management, earned value management, and sharepoint.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a principal project engineer are more likely to require skills like "program management," "dod," "risk management," and "project scope." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Comparatively, principal project engineers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $142,390.engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than principal project engineers. In fact, engineers are 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Principal project engineer vs. Senior engineer

A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.

On average, senior engineers earn a $13,347 lower salary than principal project engineers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Principal project engineers and senior engineers both require similar skills like "project management," "dod," and "earned value management" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that principal project engineer responsibilities requires skills like "program management," "risk management," "project scope," and "engineering projects." But a senior engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "java," "python," "c #," and "javascript."

Senior engineers earn a lower average salary than principal project engineers. But senior engineers earn the highest pay in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $125,167. Additionally, principal project engineers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $142,390 annually.In general, senior engineers achieve similar levels of education than principal project engineers. They're 0.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal project engineer vs. Staff engineer

Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.

An average staff engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of principal project engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to staff engineers earning a $14,560 lower average salary than principal project engineers.Using the responsibilities included on principal project engineers and staff engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "project management," "earned value management," and "product development.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, principal project engineers are more likely to have skills like "program management," "dod," "risk management," and "project scope." But a staff engineer is more likely to have skills like "java," "python," "api," and "linux."

Staff engineers earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,079. Comparatively, principal project engineers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $142,390.Most staff engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to principal project engineers. For example, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Principal project engineer vs. Lead engineer

A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.

Lead engineers typically earn lower pay than principal project engineers. On average, lead engineers earn a $37,163 lower salary per year.While both principal project engineers and lead engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like project management, dod, and earned value management, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A principal project engineer uses "program management," "risk management," "project scope," and "engineering projects." Lead engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "java," "python," "c #," and "javascript. "lead engineers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $110,872. For comparison, principal project engineers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.lead engineers reach similar levels of education compared to principal project engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of principal project engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs