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Salary and Benefits

Principal Engineer
$84K-$103K / yr. (est.)
$85K
$94,152 / year
$104K
Average base salary
The salary information provided is based on data collected from various reliable sources and may vary depending on individual qualifications and other factors.

About Principal Engineer

What does a Principal Engineer do?

In the role of Principal Engineer, our primary responsibility is to develop new engineering systems for the company and customers. We perform preventive maintenance tasks on the engineering equipment and machines. We also identify the areas of improvement in the existing equipment and modify them by performing repairs. Functioning as Principal Engineers, we are accountable for overseeing the different technical aspects of the principal engineering projects of customers. We provide guidance to our team members and participate in the training of newly hired members. We also analyse the issues in the software of machines and troubleshoot the issues from them.

Core tasks:

  • preparing machine specifications
  • addressing the queries of customers
  • understanding the main needs and wants of our clients
  • working collaboratively with the principal software engineering teams
  • analysing the software systems

Insights

How Many Years of Experience Do Professionals Need Before Becoming Principal Engineer?
On average, people work 7+ years in other positions prior to becoming a Principal Engineer.
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Data ScientistNew York City, NY - A year ago
7 years seems like a long time, but it makes sense in positions that require such a high level of expertise 🤔
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Civil EngineerLos Angeles, CA - A year ago
I think it really depends on the industry, some engineers might become principals faster than others 🤨
How Long Do Principal Engineer Employees Typically Stay in Their Roles?
On average, Principal Engineers works in this position for 5+ years across multiple employers.
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Graphic DesignerLos Angeles, CA - A year ago
The title 'Principal Engineer' sounds so technical. Do they also engage in any creative design work or is it purely programming?
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Marketing ManagerNew York City, NY - A year ago
What is the career growth like for Principal Engineers? Are there opportunities to move up to more managerial positions?
What Is the Job Hopper Score for Principal Engineer Employees?
Moderate job changes in Principal Engineer, showing some career movement without excessive turnover.
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Data AnalystHouston, TX - A year ago
🙄 It's disheartening to see the low complexity of job transitions depicted for Principal Engineers. Where's the excitement and diverse skillset development we experience as Data Analysts?
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Marketing SpecialistBoston, MA - A year ago
initially, being a Principal Engineer sounds appealing, but after seeing this infographic, I'm relieved by the continuous learning and variety of tasks that come with being a marketer! 👏

Career path

Path to job

Discover a Principal Engineer's areas of knowledge sorted by their majors.
Explore the list of higher education institutions that a Principal Engineer typically studied at.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Purdue University-Main Campus

Path after job

Community

Demographics

What Is the Age and Gender Ratio of Principal Engineer Employees?
Gender ratio in Principal Engineer position: 0.901659434265509 Male and 0.0983405657344905 Female. Age ratio in Principal Engineer position: 16-20: 1%, 21-30: 28%, 31-40: 43%, 41-50: 20%, 51-60: 7%, 60+: 1%. Principal Engineer position is predominantly male (90.2%) with the largest age group being 31-40 years old, followed by 21-30 years old.
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Principal EngineerSeattle, WA - A year ago
As a woman in the tech industry, I'm disappointed but not surprised. The gender gap seems never-ending. 💔
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Principal EngineerNew York City, NY - A year ago
It's disheartening to see that the majority of principal engineers are male. We need to encourage diversity and equal opportunities! 💪

Workplaces

Who Are the Top Employers for Principal Engineer?
Top employers of Principal Engineer position: Broadcom Corporation, Intel, Oracle. People who work in Principal Engineer position most typically go on to work for the Broadcom Corporation.
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Principal EngineerPhoenix, AZ - A year ago
Hmm, I've heard mixed reviews about these top companies. It might be worth considering smaller, specialized firms for a more fulfilling career path.
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Principal EngineerSan Francisco, CA - A year ago
I've worked with all three of these companies, and let me tell you, Intel is the best! Their commitment to innovation is unrivaled.
Broadcom Corporation
Intel
Oracle
What Industries Does Principal Engineer Typically Have Experience In?
Industry Background: The most typical industries of Principal Engineer: Manufacturing, Information Technology, Professional / Scientific / Technical, Construction, Retail. Principal Engineer employees most likely come from a Manufacturing industry background.
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Principal EngineerAustin, TX - A year ago
Y'all, being a Principal Engineer in the retail industry ain't easy. The demands of managing large-scale operations while keeping up with customer demands can leave ya exhausted!
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Principal EngineerLos Angeles, CA - A year ago
👩 Oh man, I can't even begin to express my frustration as a Principal Engineer in the tech industry. The constant race against deadlines and the pressure to deliver flawless solutions is draining.

Find your job as Principal Engineer

Discussion about Principal Engineer

Want to know more about Principal Engineer position?
Share your thoughts and ideas about Principal Engineer position with others in our community.
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How is the gender diversity among people working as a Principal Engineer?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
More men than women work as a Principal Engineer.
How old are people who work as a Principal Engineer?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
35 is the average age of people working as a Principal Engineer.
Is a Principal Engineer considered to be a senior profession?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
You need 7 years of experience to work as a Principal Engineer.
What industries does a Principal Engineer typically work in?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
Manufacturing employs the most.
Is a higher education needed as a Principal Engineer?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
A Bachelor of Science degree could not hurt if you want to be a Principal Engineer
Which company employs the most people in the Principal Engineer role?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
If you are a Principal Engineer you should definitely apply for Broadcom Corporation, Intel, Oracle, Qualcomm and Westinghouse
How many years of experience as a Principal Engineer is needed in average to switch to another position?
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Benjamin Gardner3 years ago
You should work for more than 5 years before considering changing to another role.
How frequently people change companies if they work as a Principal Engineer?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
a Principal Engineer is not a typical job hopper, but might change companies.
From which job titles people come from to work as a Principal Engineer?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
Software Engineer, Staff Engineer or Project Engineer are the typical prior positions for a Principal Engineer
If I’m working as a Principal Engineer, what next position could I have?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
Software Engineer, Engineering Manager or Sr. Principal Engineer are good next steps for a Principal Engineer
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Disclaimer

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