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Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by dx034 on Thursday January 04, 2018 @10:03AM (#16070755)
For someone not working in tech, what is the difference between an engineer and a principal engineer?
Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by rndmswethrwawy on Thursday January 04, 2018 @10:20AM (#16070925)
It (staff) is a level, one past senior engineer.

The difference is that senior engineers do something resembling engineering. When not attending meetings, I turn coffee into emails and Google docs.

Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by SmellTheGlove on Thursday January 04, 2018 @02:17PM (#16073182)
> The difference is that senior engineers do something resembling engineering. When not attending meetings, I turn coffee into emails and Google docs.

I like you.

Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by arebop on Thursday January 04, 2018 @10:20AM (#16070919)
The Principal has a very distinguished and widely-recognized track record of achievement.
Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by beamatronic on Thursday January 04, 2018 @10:41AM (#16071127)
What's interesting here is the social dimension of this. It's not enough that you are competent and have achievements. They key is that your achievements are recognized socially.
Re:Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Net... by ben0x539 on Thursday January 04, 2018 @10:18AM (#16070900)
principal engineer is when you want to give someone more salary but they dont wanna be a manager