Principal and senior engineers are the guiding lights of an engineering project. They steer the direction of the team and develop the junior engineers around them.
This article explains how the duties of these two jobs differ. We also outline the typical responsibilities for both roles and take you through the types of engineering projects you could be involved in at BAE Systems.
We are one of the UK’s leading engineering employers, offering a wide range of opportunities including principal engineer jobs and senior engineer jobs. Join us and you’ll work on world-first technology projects, which are making a huge difference to global security.
How does the role of principal and senior engineer differ?
Principal engineers focus on the strategic long-term direction of projects, whilst senior engineers get more hands-on to ensure targets are met.
In both of these engineering jobs, you will draw on many years of experience to overcome challenges and mentor those around you. However, the key difference is that principal engineers guide the technical direction and innovation around a project.
Senior engineers meanwhile report into principals and work to execute their plans. Their job is to support the wider team, overcome day-to-day issues and bring new designs to life.
What does a principal engineer do?
A principal engineer is the chief technical expert and leader of an engineering team. They provide a vision and a blueprint for success, which their team then turn into reality.
Principals have lots of experience in a specialist area and use their technical expertise to guide large-scale projects. At BAE Systems, you could become a principal engineer for projects that require knowledge in areas like electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or systems engineering.
Here’s a list of the things you’ll usually focus on as a principal engineer:
- Conception – Mapping out how complex systems will be used to deliver projects and meet industry best practices and the latest regulations.
- Research – Exploring how new technologies can be used to make breakthroughs and streamline the team’s work.
- Direction – Creating a long-term strategy for the senior engineering team to follow, which gives them the best chance of success.
- Mentoring – Sharing your wealth of knowledge with team members to improve those around you and to develop their leadership skill set.
- Support – Helping the team to overcome complicated problems by creating new solutions.
- Communication – Presenting project updates to seniors within the business and helping to make high-level decisions.
What does a senior engineer do?
Senior engineers are seasoned professionals who have built up a lot of experience in a certain area. This makes them the perfect people to oversee the work of more junior members of the team.
Guided by the overarching vision of the principal engineer, senior engineers make sure everything runs smoothly with their project.
Here are the things they typically focus on:
- Supervision and training – Delivering on-the-job training and sharing knowledge with junior members of the team.
- Problem-solving – Supporting the team when issues arise and ensuring high standards are met.
- Improving efficiencies – Fine-tuning processes and systems to speed up aspects of a project.
- Project management – Working closely with others to keep the project on schedule and to budget.
- Reporting – Keeping the principal engineer and others up to speed with progress.
Underpinning it all is the knowledge that what you are doing strengthens the security of our nation and allies. I first heard about BAE Systems when researching the equipment used by the Armed Forces. I immediately knew what my next option was because I found the products and platforms so interesting.Mike, Senior Systems Engineer
How many years of experience do principal and senior engineers have?
As a general rule of thumb, principal engineers often have at least 10-15 years of experience in their specialist area of engineering.
Meanwhile, senior engineers have typically built up 5-10 years of practical knowledge in order to be considered for the position. There is no specific amount of experience that a principal or senior engineer needs to secure a role.
This will depend on many things including what the role requires, the nature of the business that is hiring and the industry they belong to.
Engineering opportunities at BAE Systems
Taking up an engineering role at BAE Systems will provide an experience like no other. You’ll work on some of the most extraordinary projects ever undertaken, which have a global impact.
Here we are pushing the limits of what is possible and creating world-first security technology to make the future more secure for us all.
By offering an industry-leading set of benefits and the ability to make a difference in your day-to-day work, we’re bringing together the finest engineering talent in the UK, and beyond.
Join us and we’ll give you the chance to learn from the best and support you in your career development, no matter what stage you’re at.
We’re a global employer with sites in 40 countries across the world. So, there’s no limit to where a BAE Systems career could take you.
There is a great team ethic within engineering; everyone is clear on their responsibilities and is trusted to discharge them effectively. I work with some truly leading engineers and find there is always something to learn about new methodologies, technologies or solutions.Melissa, Principal Engineering Manager, Barrow-in-Furness
Learn more about BAE Systems
Visit our engineering page to find out more. You may also want to browse our current principal engineer jobs and senior engineer jobs.
Looking to take your first steps into an exciting engineering career? Take a look at our early careers section or read inspiring stories from our employees.