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Principal Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Fujitsu

Principal Researcher

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Principal Researcher at Fujitsu's Space Data Frontiers Research Center The Space Data Frontiers Research Center (Space Center) at Fujitsu specializes in pioneering business opportunities in space ...

Fujitsu

Principal Researcher

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$167K - $250K/yr

FUJITSU RESEARCH OF AMERICA, INC. (FRA) was established in 1993 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd., focusing on contributing ...

Fujitsu

Principal Researcher

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$187K - $210K/yr

The quantum research group in Fujitsu Research of America (FRA) is seeking an exceptional researcher to develop technologies that will be incorporated into Fujitsu's future quantum computer hardware.

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Principal Researcher information

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$108K

$179.6K

How much do principal researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal researcher in California is $107,960.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,900.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a principal researcher typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research organization?

Principal Researchers often play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and other departments such as product development, engineering, and marketing. They lead research initiatives and work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that research insights are translated into actionable strategies. This collaboration usually involves regular meetings, presenting findings, and advising on the implications of research outcomes. Effective communication and leadership are essential, as Principal Researchers often mentor junior researchers and help align project goals across teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Researcher, you need advanced expertise in your field, a doctoral degree or equivalent experience, and a strong publication record. Familiarity with specialized research tools, statistical analysis software, and project management systems is often required. Leadership, critical thinking, and effective communication skills help you guide teams and convey complex findings. These skills are essential for driving innovative research, securing funding, and advancing knowledge within your discipline.

What is the difference between Principal Researcher vs Senior Research Scientist?

AspectPrincipal ResearcherSenior Research Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD), extensive research experienceMaster's or PhD, significant research background
Work EnvironmentLeading research projects, strategic planningConducting experiments, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, tech companies, academiaR&D departments, scientific organizations

The Principal Researcher typically holds a higher leadership role, overseeing multiple projects and setting research directions, while the Senior Research Scientist focuses more on executing research tasks and experiments. Both roles require advanced degrees and substantial research experience, but the Principal Researcher often has broader strategic responsibilities.

How much do principal researchers make?

Principal researchers typically earn a median salary ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on industry, experience, and location. They often hold advanced degrees and have extensive research experience, which can influence compensation levels.

What does a principal researcher do?

A principal researcher leads research projects, designs experiments, analyzes data, and develops new knowledge or technologies within their field. They often oversee research teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and publish findings, requiring strong analytical skills and expertise in relevant tools or methodologies.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Researcher jobs in California?

For Principal Researcher jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Researcher jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Researcher jobs in California are:

Principal Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,960 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Principal Researcher

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Fujitsu
IT Services • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Fujitsuexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Santa Clara, California
Location Flexibility: Multiple Locations in Country
Req Id: 11490
Posting Start Date: 8/20/26
At Fujitsu, we're on a mission to create a more sustainable world by building trust in society through innovation. Since our inception in Japan in 1935, Fujitsu has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancement. Today, we stand as a global leader in digital transformation, dedicated to reshaping businesses and society in the digital age.
What truly sets us apart is our family of nearly 130,000 dedicated employees that spans over 50 countries, forming a diverse and dynamic community. We are committed to helping our employees grow and develop their careers. We believe that everyone has the potential to achieve great things, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and opportunities that our employees need to succeed.
We invite you to take the next step in your career journey and apply. Thank you for being a part of Fujitsu. We look forward to growing together toward a brighter future.
Principal Researcher at Fujitsu's Space Data Frontiers Research Center
The Space Data Frontiers Research Center (Space Center) at Fujitsu specializes in pioneering business opportunities in space-related technologies. The center focuses on using AI and advanced computing to process, analyze, and utilize data from space in real-time, aiming to support both Earth-bound industries and future human space exploration.
We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Principal Researcher to define and drive the scientific and technical foundation of our next-generation Earth Intelligence Platform. In this role, you will lead research at the intersection of Earth Observation (EO), geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI/ML). You will architect scalable, multi-modal data synthesis frameworks that translate vast streams of satellite, aerial, in-situ, and climate data into actionable insights for global decision-making, sustainability, and industrial applications.
As a senior research leader, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific innovation, enterprise-grade platform architecture, and real-world strategic impact.
Key Responsibilities
1. Research Leadership & Strategy
  • Define the Scientific Roadmap: Lead the long-term research vision for multi-source Earth data fusion, physical-AI modeling, and geospatial intelligence.
  • Algorithm & Model Development: Conceptualize and prototype novel machine learning models (e.g., geospatial foundation models, computer vision for EO, spatio-temporal neural networks, and physical-data hybrid models).
  • Cross-Domain Innovation: Develop methods for scaling planetary-level analysis, including land-use monitoring, disaster response dynamics, climate risk modeling, and global supply chain tracking.

2. Platform Architecture & Data Integration
  • Multi-Modal Data Fusion: Architect approaches to integrate heterogeneous datasets-including optical, SAR, hyperspectral, IoT sensor networks, weather, and oceanographic data-into unified, queryable frameworks.
  • Scalable Analytics: Partner with engineering teams to translate experimental algorithms into production-ready, low-latency APIs and platform capabilities.
  • Standards & Interoperability: Ensure platform alignment with modern geospatial standards (e.g., STAC, COG, OGC standards) and big-data processing paradigms.

3. Collaboration & External Thought Leadership
  • Publication & IP: Publish high-impact research in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings (e.g., Remote Sensing of Environment, IEEE TGRS, NeurIPS, ICML). File patents where applicable.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Translate complex technical and planetary science concepts into clear value propositions for executive leaders, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders.
  • Mentorship: Guide and mentor intern researchers and engineers to foster a culture of research rigor and fast-paced experimentation.

Qualifications & Experience
Required Qualifications
  • Education: Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Information Science (GIS), Computer Science, Earth System Science, Geophysics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Experience: 2+ years of post-PhD research experience (or equivalent industry experience) developing algorithms and systems for large-scale geospatial or earth data processing.
  • Technical Mastery:
    • Deep expertise in computer vision and ML/DL frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) applied to spatial/temporal satellite imagery (SAR, Optical, Thermal).
    • Proven experience with big geospatial data tools (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Planetary Computer, Xarray, Rasterio, GDAL, Apache Sedona).
    • Strong programming proficiency in Python and modern data pipeline tools.
  • System Design: Track record of taking complex research models from concept to prototype and helping transition them into scalable cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with geospatial foundation models (GFMs) and self-supervised learning on spatial-temporal data.
  • Demonstrated domain knowledge in climate impact modeling, carbon accounting, maritime/logistics analytics, or disaster resilience.
  • Strong publication track record in top remote sensing or computer vision conferences/journals.
  • Experience collaborating on open-source geospatial projects or standard-setting bodies.

Core Competencies
  • Systemic & Strategic Thinking: Ability to see how individual algorithms power broader platform capabilities and business value.
  • Scientific Rigor: Uncompromising standard for data quality, uncertainty quantification, and model validation.
  • Collaborative Leadership: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge conversations between deep-tech scientists, software engineers, and business executives.

#Americas_Priority
Fujitsu is the largest IT company in Japan and among the largest in the world. Fujitsu's mission is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. Join us in shaping the future of the world.
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is:
$174,126 to $248,752
Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience and skills and may change over time. Additionally, this role may be eligible for an annual bonus, which is based on individual
We comply with all applicable minimum wage laws.
Benefits available include:
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Life insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• 401k
• Paid Time Off
• Any leave required under federal, state, or local law, as applicable, such as leave under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
Benefits are subject to vesting and eligibility requirements.
Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.
Relocation Supported: Yes
Visa Sponsorship Approved: No

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