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Principal Support Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Network Support Engineer - AI Trainer

San Diego, CA · Remote

$50 - $70/hr

Experience as a Level 3 / Tier 3 / Principal Support Engineer with on-call rotation, RCAs, and final escalations. * Hands-on experience with end-customer enterprise networks, including switches, APs ...

Clearway Energy

Principal BESS Engineer

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

The Principal BESS Engineer / BESS Engineering Manager will work with project teams, external ... Support Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) teams during the request for quote phase of ...

Clearway Energy

Principal BESS Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The Principal BESS Engineer / BESS Engineering Manager will work with project teams, external ... Support Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) teams during the request for quote phase of ...

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All JobsPrincipal Support Engineer JobsPrincipal Support Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Support Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal support engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal support engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal support engineer?

Principal Support Engineers are highly experienced technical professionals who provide advanced support for complex software or hardware products. They typically handle escalated issues, work closely with engineering teams to resolve critical problems, and may mentor or lead other support staff. Their role involves deep technical troubleshooting, customer communication, and contributing to product improvements based on customer feedback. Principal Support Engineers often serve as the highest point of technical escalation within a support organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal support engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Support Engineer, you need deep technical expertise in troubleshooting, systems analysis, and customer support, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with ticketing systems, enterprise software platforms, and relevant certifications such as ITIL or specific vendor credentials is often required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, leadership, and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure complex technical issues are resolved efficiently, fostering customer satisfaction and maintaining system reliability.

How does a principal support engineer typically collaborate with product and engineering teams to resolve complex customer issues?

Principal Support Engineers frequently act as a bridge between customers and internal product or engineering teams. When faced with intricate technical challenges, they escalate issues, provide detailed analysis, and share customer feedback directly with developers and product managers. This collaboration helps ensure that critical bugs are addressed promptly and that customer needs influence product improvements. Regular communication, joint troubleshooting sessions, and participation in post-mortem reviews are common aspects of this cross-functional teamwork.

What is the difference between Principal Support Engineer vs Support Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Support EngineerSupport Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced technical certifications, extensive experience, and deep industry knowledgeEntry to mid-level certifications and experience in customer support or technical roles
Work EnvironmentHigh-level technical support, troubleshooting complex issues, often collaborating with engineering teamsProviding technical assistance, resolving customer issues, and maintaining support tickets
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, software, hardware, and enterprise solutionsCommon across IT, software, and hardware support roles in various industries

The Principal Support Engineer typically handles complex technical problems, requires advanced certifications, and works closely with engineering teams. Support Engineers focus on resolving customer issues at a more operational level. The roles differ mainly in scope, experience, and technical depth, but both are essential in technical support hierarchies.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Principal Support Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Principal Support Engineer job openings:

Principal Support Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Support Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Network Support Engineer - AI Trainer

Mercor

San Diego, CA • Remote

$50 - $70/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Network Engineer - Data for Autonomous Systems annotation
Type: Contract
Compensation: $50–$70/hour
Location: Remote
Commitment: 30–40 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Review real-world data from deployed networks, including logs, configs, telemetry, and event streams.
  • Label and classify network behaviors, issues, anomalies, and incident patterns.
  • Help define schemas and structure for large-scale data pipelines that downstream ML models will train on.
  • Collaborate with client teams to ensure data accuracy and relevance.
  • Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines while improving AI model performance.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • Experience as a Level 3 / Tier 3 / Principal Support Engineer with on-call rotation, RCAs, and final escalations.
  • Hands-on experience with end-customer enterprise networks, including switches, APs, and firewalls.
  • Proficiency in Wi-Fi/wireless technologies, including Cisco WLC, Aruba, Meraki, 802.1X/RADIUS, and wireless troubleshooting.
  • Ability to perform packet-level troubleshooting with Wireshark, tcpdump, and SPAN captures.
  • Authorization to work in the US or Canada without sponsorship.

Compensation & Legal

  • 1099 contract paid to a personal account.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.


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