Principal Client Support Specialist

Capital One; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 138,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital One in Deerfield, IL is seeking a Principal Client Support Specialist to drive certification operations for payment partners, mobile developers, and merchant terminals. You will oversee end-to-end testing and Level 2 functional/security certification.

As the main technical liaison, you triage high-volume queries, coordinate cross-functional steps from intake to final approval, and apply EMV and security standards to ensure network compliance.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• 4+ years in payment systems and EMV technologies.
• 4+ years in software/hardware testing and certification workflows.
• 3+ years in product development or technical project support.

Responsibilities

• Oversee certification lifecycle and timelines for partners and developers.
• Serve as primary operational contact to resolve high-volume technical queries.
• Coordinate cross-functional steps from intake to final approval.
• Leverage EMV knowledge to ensure compliance with network standards.

Skills

Payment systems

EMV technologies

Software testing

Technical project support

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

The Principal Client Support Specialist drives operations within the Certification Operations team, overseeing end-to-end testing and certification management for payment partners, mobile application developers, and merchant payment terminals. This role manages the administrative and operational certification workflow—focusing on Level 2 functional and security certification processes. Serving as a primary technical liaison for external product providers, the Specialist triages and resolves high-volume technical queries, drives projects forward, and ensures streamlined certification timelines.

Core Responsibilities

• Certification Operations & Administration: Oversee the operational and administrative certification lifecycle (typically 3-4+ week timelines) for payment partners, terminal vendors, and mobile app developers for Level 2 (functional/security) requirements.
• Technical Support & Query Management: Serve as the primary operational contact during the certification process, managing and resolving high-volume technical and process queries from external partners.
• Partner & Client Engagement: Act as a representative to product providers, leading technical discussions, managing expectations, and maintaining momentum across certification projects.
• Project Management & Execution: Coordinate cross-functional steps to move certification projects efficiently from intake through final approval.
• EMV & Security Subject Matter: Leverage knowledge of EMV specifications and card/security testing standards to ensure compliance with network specifications.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent certification
• At least 4 years of experience in payment systems and EMV technologies
• At least 4 years of experience in software or hardware testing and certification workflows
• At least 3 years of experience in product development or technical project support

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Knowledge of payment certification levels (Level 1 physical/interface, Level 2 kernel/functional, and Level 3 brand/acquirer/issuer integration)
• Experience in a client-facing or vendor-support role addressing technical support tickets, partner queries or implementation challenges

At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.

McLean, VA: $151,900 - $173,400 for Principal Client Support Specialist
Riverwoods, IL: $138,100 - $157,700 for Principal Client Support Specialist

Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.

This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.

Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.

This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.

No agencies please.

Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.

If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to [e-mail]