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The differences between robotics systems engineers and principal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a robotics systems engineer, becoming a principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $106,361 average annual salary of a robotics systems engineer.
The top three skills for a robotics systems engineer include C++, MATLAB and CAD. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Robotics Systems Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,361 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $51.14 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 101,791 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A robotics engineer creates mechanical beings called robots that are used to replace human labor, especially where the safety of human labor is at stake. They are mostly used in the manufacturing, processing, and automotive industries. They build prototypes and test machines and maintain software used to control them. Their duties and responsibilities also include researching various robotic fields and the latest innovations in robotics.
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.
Robotics systems engineers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Robotics Systems Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,361 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $142,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a robotics systems engineer and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Robotics Systems Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between robotics systems engineers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Robotics Systems Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 18.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 5% | 5% |