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Remote Principal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $203K/yr

We are hiring a Senior Principal Engineer for our AI Foundations team, the group responsible for making AI work well across our engineering: how we measure it, the context we feed it, and the compute ...

Senior Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $203K/yr

We are hiring a Senior Principal Engineer for our AI Foundations team, the group responsible for making AI work well across our engineering: how we measure it, the context we feed it, and the compute ...

Senior Principal Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $203K/yr

We are hiring a Senior Principal Engineer for our AI Foundations team, the group responsible for making AI work well across our engineering: how we measure it, the context we feed it, and the compute ...

As a Principal Engineer on the AI Platform team, you'll help architect the infrastructure that ... Palo Alto, CA or San Francisco, CA. #LI-REMOTE #LI-AH2 At Pinterest we believe the workplace should ...

Showing results 41-60

Remote Principal Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do remote principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote principal 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 remote principal engineer?

A Remote Principal Engineer is a senior-level technical expert who leads complex engineering projects while working remotely. They provide architectural guidance, mentor teams, and ensure high-quality technical solutions. This role requires deep expertise in software development, systems design, and strategic decision-making. Principal Engineers collaborate with stakeholders, drive innovation, and help align technical goals with business objectives. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for success in this position.

What does a remote principal engineer do?

As a Remote Principal Engineer, you will lead the architecture and development of major technical projects, set engineering standards, and make critical design decisions. Your day-to-day work may involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, reviewing code, mentoring other engineers, and ensuring system scalability and reliability. You'll often participate in high-level strategic discussions, address technical challenges, and help define the technology roadmap. The role is highly collaborative, requiring frequent virtual meetings and regular updates to stakeholders.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a remote principal engineer?

To thrive as a Remote Principal Engineer, you need advanced expertise in software architecture, coding, and systems design, typically backed by a relevant degree and extensive industry experience. Mastery of modern programming languages, cloud platforms (such as AWS, Azure, or GCP), and proficiency with DevOps tools and architectural frameworks are expected. Exceptional leadership, clear communication, and proactive problem-solving skills help you drive projects and mentor distributed engineering teams. These abilities ensure you can lead complex technical initiatives, foster innovation, and maintain high collaboration in a remote environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Remote Principal Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Principal Engineer, SCADA Engineering (BESS)

Invenergy

Sacramento, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Invenergy rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Invenergy is North America's largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future.

This position will be open for application for at least 3 calendar days from the posting date. This position will remain open for application based on business need, which may be before or after the 3-day posting window.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Principal Engineer position will be part of the Construction team, with responsibility to serve as a senior technical leader responsible for engineering, procurement support, integration, and commissioning of SCADA systems and associated communications infrastructure across Invenergy generation projects, with primary focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and supporting coverage for solar and other technologies as needed.

This role is accountable for defining and documenting control strategies and data interfaces between substation devices, generation resources, data centers, remote operation centers, and external entities, and for driving reliable data connectivity and control readiness from design, commissioning, and turnover. Invenergy's fleet includes standalone and co located or hybrid applications, and this role will help ensure consistent SCADA and controls integration standards across BESS, solar, wind, and hybrid sites.

Responsibilities

Technical leadership and architecture (BESS primary)

  • Own SCADA and controls integration approach for BESS projects from concept through commissioning, including interface definitions, network architecture, time synchronization, and data models

  • Define and document control and data interfaces between BESS subsystems and site SCADA, PPC, substation systems, revenue metering, and remote operations connectivity.

  • Lead technical reviews of vendor submittals and drawings, including communications architecture, point mapping, cybersecurity alignment, and commissioning procedures.

  • Provide escalation level troubleshooting for complex integration issues involving protocols, network performance, data quality, and control interlocks during construction and commissioning.

Solar and other technologies support (secondary scope)

  • Provide technical support for solar and other technologies SCADA scope as needed, including standard interface definitions, data mapping, and commissioning readiness for plant SCADA across wind, solar, and or BESS.

  • Support projects with hybrid integration needs by ensuring SCADA requirements and deliverables align for standalone and co located PV and BESS applications.

Specifications, scope, and procurement support

  • Develop specifications and scope of work for EMS, BMS, SCADA, power plant controller, RTU, and IT and OT equipment networks and implementation

  • Provide requirements needed to procure telecom services and field communications solutions.

  • Support bid evaluations and supplier selection by providing clear technical requirements and contract exhibit language for SCADA and controls integration.

  • Support negotiation of Energy Storage Agreements (ESA) by defining and defending SCADA and controls requirements and serving as the technical interface with BESS suppliers and integrators.

  • Perform factory and equipment inspection, including witnessing factory acceptance tests for hardware and software

Project execution and commissioning support

  • Coordinate with cross functional teams to ensure SCADA deliverables align with overall project requirements and critical path schedules.

  • Track design schedules, communicate status and risks, and ensure critical dates are met on time.

  • Monitor construction progress remotely and via on site visits, support resolution of field issues, attend in person meetings with stakeholders, and provide on-site programming and field support during commissioning when required

  • Support operational plans to energize, commission, and turn over projects while adhering to NERC and other grid reliability requirements

  • Coordinate with independent engineers and project partners to effectively navigate technical due diligence for SCADA and controls scope.

  • Support Controls Hardware-in-the-Loop (CHIL) testing with suppliers in addition to establishing Invenergy CHIL lab

Continuous improvement and technical mentorship

  • Mentor engineers and managers by driving standards, lessons learned, and repeatable execution playbooks that improve commissioning quality and long-term operational reliability.

  • Maintain up to date knowledge of industry technology through training sessions and conferences.

  • Take on additional responsibilities as assigned by the manager, supporting team and project objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related degree.

  • 8 + years of relevant experience with power generation SCADA and power plant control systems.

  • Demonstrated experience delivering BESS focused SCADA and controls integration through commissioning and turnover, with ability to support solar and wind projects as needed.

  • Ability to coordinate and manage multiple concurrent projects.

  • Strong oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

  • Up to 25 % travel required

  • Must have a valid driver's license and be legally authorized to operate a motor vehicle.

  • Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's in Engineering preferred.

  • Working knowledge of NERC compliance requirements.

  • Prior installation, commissioning, and site construction experience in renewable power generation.

  • Advanced knowledge and programming of EMS, BMS, SCADA, HMI, PLC, RTU platforms.

  • Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as OPC, CANBUS, DNP3, and Modbus.

  • Experience integrating SCADA and controls with Tier 1 BESS suppliers (e.g., Tesla, Fluence) and navigating vendor interface requirements through design, commissioning, and turnover.

Base Pay

$155,000.00 - $180,000.00 USD Annual
Bonus: 25% - 40%

The base pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for the position. Invenergy considers a number of factors when determining base pay offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education and skills.
In addition to base pay, the total annual compensation package may also include eligibility to participate in our bonus program(s) which are designed to reward individual and company performance. Your recruiter can share more about bonus eligibility for this position during the hiring process.
Invenergy offers a variety of other benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, paid time off, etc.

Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.


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