Principal (engineer) vs Senior (engineer): Who's the daddy?

Andy_L

Whilst job hunting I've come across a number of adverts for posts, with the same company, as both Principal & Senior Engineers.
The job descriptions are, pretty much, identical, & the salary for both is "competitive". Anyone have any experience as to which is the higher grade?

Andy

Zazen999

Doesn't it depend on the company?

Have you asked for an organisational chart, so that you can see?

Probably a history thing, where one company has been bought by another, but kept the old job names, even though the jobs are the same.

Tweetinat

I would expect a Principal Engineer to be the 'daddy' - definition of principal being "First, highest, or foremost in importance, rank, worth, or degree.. " (http://www.answers.com/principal)

My OH recently took a new job and they also use this distinction between grades, with the principal being the more senior position...

HTH - Natalie

bristol_pilot

Principal is senior to Senior.

MenstrieBen

As they have said above,

though I have known a company that went

Assistant Engineer
Engineer
Senior Engineer
Principal Engineer
Senior Principal Engineer

towards the top end it was almost a case of adding names for the sake of it!!

what sort of area is it you are applying for? sounds like it could be simalar to my job so i may be able to offer more advice if its wanted.

matty2767

snr
principal
associate