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The differences between radar 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 radar engineer and a principal engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $99,242 average annual salary of a radar engineer.
The top three skills for a radar engineer include RF, MATLAB and algorithms. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Radar Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,242 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $47.71 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 41,583 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Quality/process engineers transform raw materials into everyday products, as well as design, implement, control, and optimize industrial processes and machinery. Logical thinking, spatial reasoning, communication, negotiation, and thinking that is both analytical and creative are necessary for the position. Quality engineers also adhere to safety standards and are familiar with compliance policies.
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.
Radar engineers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radar Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,242 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $138,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a radar engineer and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Radar Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between radar engineers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Radar Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% 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% |