A "Principal Engineer" is a title that is often thrown around in tech. But what does it mean? What does a Principal Engineer do? How does that differ from a Senior Engineer? And how do you become one?
What is a Principal Engineer?
A Principal Engineer is a senior member of the engineering team. They are often responsible for the technical direction of a product or project. They are expected to have deep technical knowledge and experience, and are often looked to for guidance and mentorship by other engineers on the team.
Principal Engineers are often involved in the design and architecture of a product or platform, and are expected to have a good understanding of the business needs and how the product fits into the company's overall strategy.
They are often involved in the hiring process, and are expected to conduct technical interviews and provide input into the hiring process.
It's a fine line
Because there is no universally accepted definition of what a Principal Engineer is, the role can vary widely from company to company. In some companies, a Principal Engineer is expected to be a hands-on coder, while in others, they are expected to be more focused on architecture and design.
In some companies, a Principal Engineer is expected to be a people manager, while in others, they are expected to be individual contributors.
What sets a Principal Engineer apart from a Senior Engineer is often the depth of their technical knowledge and experience, and their ability to provide guidance and mentorship to other engineers.
If you are looking to become a Principal Engineer, it is important to be a lifelong learner, and to stay up to date with the latest technologies and best practices. You should also be looking for opportunities to mentor and guide other engineers, and to take on more responsibility in the design and architecture of the products you work on.
If you are a manager considering promoting a Senior to Principal,there is one piece of advice that has helped me a lot with the decision. If there is any doubt as to whether the person is at the "Principal" level, then they are probably not ready. The role of a Principal Engineer is a big step up from a Senior Engineer, and it is important to make sure that the person is ready for the additional responsibility.