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Systems integration lead vs principal systems engineer

The differences between systems integration leads and principal systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a systems integration lead, becoming a principal systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal systems engineer has an average salary of $133,208, which is higher than the $108,760 average annual salary of a systems integration lead.

The top three skills for a systems integration lead include system integration, systems engineering and architecture. The most important skills for a principal systems engineer are systems engineering, DOD, and C++.

Systems integration lead vs principal systems engineer overview

Systems Integration LeadPrincipal Systems Engineer
Yearly salary$108,760$133,208
Hourly rate$52.29$64.04
Growth rate9%5%
Number of jobs85,472146,444
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4343
Years of experience62

Systems integration lead vs principal systems engineer salary

Systems integration leads and principal systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Systems Integration LeadPrincipal Systems Engineer
Average salary$108,760$133,208
Salary rangeBetween $83,000 And $141,000Between $97,000 And $181,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaeBay
Best paying industryEnergyTelecommunication

Differences between systems integration lead and principal systems engineer education

There are a few differences between a systems integration lead and a principal systems engineer in terms of educational background:

Systems Integration LeadPrincipal Systems Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNortheastern University

Systems integration lead vs principal systems engineer demographics

Here are the differences between systems integration leads' and principal systems engineers' demographics:

Systems Integration LeadPrincipal Systems Engineer
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 80.1% Female, 19.9%Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.8% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between systems integration lead and principal systems engineer duties and responsibilities

Systems integration lead example responsibilities.

  • Design and manage intranet infrastructure, product's system architecture, and LAN/WAN connectivity to all client sites.
  • Manage a regional information center responsible for training and empowering users to develop user generate mainframe and PC base business applications.
  • Create platform and images for Linux embed systems.
  • Sun Solaris subject matter expert team member of an international team supporting multiple variants of UNIX and Linux servers.
  • Create SharePoint site and maintain user roles.
  • Test Internet data transfers via FTP and in-house applications.
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Principal systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creation and deletion of user accounts in the department using Perl scripts.
  • Achieve compatibility requirements by partnering with LTE team to perform APCO P25 - LTE device functional and performance testing.
  • Develop and integrate software that drives flight control system hardware and achieves product requirements for an international avionics customer base.
  • Create verification test plans for TCP/IP network systems and storage area networks (SAN) incorporating Linux and Cisco network equipment.
  • Perform RF signal processing and simulation testing of pulse compression modulations.
  • Configure Linux systems to analyze system performance and review results against verification test plans.
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Systems integration lead vs principal systems engineer skills

Common systems integration lead skills
  • System Integration, 10%
  • Systems Engineering, 10%
  • Architecture, 8%
  • System Design, 7%
  • C++, 6%
  • Java, 5%
Common principal systems engineer skills
  • Systems Engineering, 10%
  • DOD, 8%
  • C++, 5%
  • RF, 5%
  • System Design, 5%
  • Infrastructure, 4%

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