Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in California
Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand across petroleum refining, semiconductors, specialty chemicals, and biotechnology manufacturing, and openings at every level from early-career process engineers through senior principal roles. The largest concentrations of hiring are in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Sacramento Valley, where companies like Chevron, Applied Materials, and Genentech maintain major California operations. Process safety engineering, continuous improvement, and process simulation are among the most consistently sought specialties in California listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.
Google's Raxium display group has established a revolutionary semiconductor materials display technology that enables new functionality in display products, bringing to users a closer and more natural linkage between the digital and physical realms in applications such as augmented reality (AR) and light-field display. With start-up roots and a state-of-the-art compound semiconductor fab in Silicon Valley, Raxium is seeking to build upon its engineering team with an aim to disrupt next-generation display markets.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and sustain new processes associated with semiconductor wet chemical processing, including etch, strip and cleaning processes.
- Develop systems and methodologies to drive process stability and control for yield improvement.
- Optimize existing wet processing steps for throughput and defectivity reduction.
- Start up and qualify new toolsets with emphasis on process transparency and tool matching.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 4 years of experience with Wet Chemical Process Engineering in a production silicon or compound semiconductor environment.
- Experience with wet chemical tools, including spray etch tools, automated baths related to processes control and capability.
- Experience with wet chemical process characterization for defectivity, etch rate, and chemical analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
- 5 years of experience with wet chemical process engineering in a production silicon or compound semiconductor fabrication environment.
- Experience with metrology needed for controlling wet processes.
COMPENSATION
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $159,000-$231,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See All 27 Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsChemical Process Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chemical Process Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Brindley Engineering Corporation3

- Calico Life Sciences3

- Worley3

- Dennis2

- Lam Research2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services9
- Electronics & Hardware7
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
- Manufacturing3
- Energy2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chemical process engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Professional Engineer licensure from the California Board for Professional Engineers is preferred for senior roles
- Experience with process simulation software such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS
- Familiarity with California Air Resources Board regulations and Title V permitting requirements
- Demonstrated experience with process hazard analysis, HAZOP, and PSM compliance
- Strong working knowledge of process safety management and continuous improvement methodologies
Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chemical process engineer in California?
Most chemical process engineer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. For roles with significant design or public-safety responsibilities, California's Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists administers the Professional Engineer licensure pathway, which begins with the Fundamentals of Engineering exam followed by the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after qualifying experience. Many California employers in refining, biotech, and semiconductor manufacturing hire engineers without a PE license but prefer candidates with process simulation skills and a record of process safety coursework.
Which companies hire chemical process engineers in California?
Employers hiring chemical process engineers in California right now include Brindley Engineering Corporation, Calico Life Sciences, and Worley, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of petroleum refineries in the Los Angeles Basin, semiconductor fabs in the Bay Area, and large biotech manufacturing campuses in South San Francisco and San Diego ensures demand from both industrial and life-sciences employers year-round.
Which California cities have the most chemical process engineer jobs?
Fremont, Emeryville, and South San Francisco have the most chemical process engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of semiconductor, biotech, and specialty chemical companies, while Los Angeles and its surrounding refinery corridor anchor demand in Southern California, and Sacramento draws openings from agricultural chemical and water-treatment operations in the Central Valley.
Are there remote chemical process engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Chemical process engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, plant-floor role, and most positions require on-site presence for commissioning, troubleshooting, and process safety work. About 4% of chemical process engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be process simulation, technical writing, or regulatory compliance functions that can be separated from plant operations.
How can I get hired as a chemical process engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a new-graduate process engineering or associate process engineer role at a California refinery, biotech manufacturer, or semiconductor company. Chevron, Valero, and several Bay Area semiconductor firms run structured new-grad rotational programs that specifically target recent ABET graduates without commercial experience. Candidates who have completed a senior capstone project involving process simulation or have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam tend to move to the front of the queue, as do those with internships at California industrial facilities or water-treatment agencies.
Where can I find and apply to chemical process engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to chemical process engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.
See All 27 Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in California
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