Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in California
Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor fabrication, medical device manufacturing, and electric vehicle production, with openings at every level from entry-level process technician to senior principal engineer. The heaviest hiring happens in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and Applied Materials maintain large engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties are process optimization, lean manufacturing, and cleanroom process development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Process Engineer, Elastomeric Manufacturing (Aerospace)
Location: Brea, CA (On-site, Monday–Friday)
Type: Full-time, Direct Hire
Compensation: Competitive salary depending on experience
Company Snapshot
Join a century-strong aerospace and defense manufacturer renowned for precision elastomer and polymer solutions. Our components are on commercial, military, and business jets around the globe—and aboard missiles, launch vehicles, and satellites—with sole-source content on flagship Boeing, Airbus, and F‑35 programs. Backed by a major international aerospace group, you’ll experience the security of a large enterprise and the satisfaction of hands-on impact in a focused production environment.
A Day in This Role
Your morning starts on the production floor, scanning overnight yields and responding to any molding or extrusion variances. By mid-day, you’re iterating a new compression mold design, updating fixturing for better ergonomics, and partnering with Quality on an RCCA to eliminate a recurring defect. Afternoon brings a DOE on a silicone process, followed by refining work instructions so tomorrow’s shift sees higher first-pass yield. Throughout, you’re the go-to problem solver for elastomer manufacturing—turning shop-floor issues into lasting improvements.
What You Will Tackle
- Own daily production support for rubber/elastomer parts; resolve process, tooling, and quality issues at the source
- Design and upgrade tooling, molds, fixtures, and workholding to elevate precision and throughput
- Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities to close out production and quality escapes
- Plan and execute lean/CI projects aimed at reducing scrap, cycle time, and overall cost
- Provide technical oversight for compression molding, extrusion, and composite/plastics operations
- Create, release, and maintain robust work instructions, process documentation, and manufacturing aids
- Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Tooling, and Operations leadership to meet delivery and quality goals
- Support NPI from trial runs through full-rate production, ensuring processes are capable and documented
What You Bring
- B.S. in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Manufacturing Engineering—or equivalent hands-on experience
- 3+ years in manufacturing or process engineering
- Direct, hands-on background in rubber/elastomer manufacturing (required)
- Experience with composites, plastics, compression molding and/or extrusion (strongly preferred)
- Demonstrated skill in troubleshooting, tooling design, and continuous improvement
- Structured problem-solving using RCCA, 8D, or similar methodologies
- Capacity to juggle multiple projects in a fast-moving production setting
- Aerospace, defense, or AS9100 exposure is a plus
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (ITAR)
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Ownership of processes with clear, measurable impact on production outcomes
- Stability within a growing aerospace manufacturer
- Clear runway to advance into senior engineering roles
Core Technical Proficiency
- GD&T
- Equipment Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Skills
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Fluorosilicone / EPDM / Neoprene
- Polymer & Composite Materials
- Rubber / Elastomer Manufacturing
- Rubber Compounding & Mixing
- Silicone Processing
- Prepreg / Composite Layup & Cure
Machines & Technologies You’ll Use
- Compression Molding Press
See All 56 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsManufacturing Process Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Process Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla12
- Anduril4
- Apple2
- Abbott2
- Saint-Gobain2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing process engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited institution
- Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Proficiency with CAD software, process simulation tools, or statistical process control systems
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, or FDA 21 CFR quality management standards
- Experience with process validation, PFMEA, or control plan development in a production environment
- Strong cross-functional communication skills for collaborating with design, quality, and production teams
Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing process engineer in California?
Most manufacturing process engineers in California start with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited program. California does not require a state license specifically for this role, but earning a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidacy for senior and government-contractor positions. Certifications in Six Sigma or lean manufacturing are widely expected by California employers, particularly in aerospace, medtech, and semiconductor industries.
How much do manufacturing process engineers make in California?
Manufacturing process engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire manufacturing process engineers in California?
Employers hiring manufacturing process engineers in California right now include Tesla, Anduril, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor fabs, and medical device companies means demand stays consistent across both large multinationals and specialized mid-size manufacturers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most manufacturing process engineer jobs?
The cities with the most manufacturing process engineer openings in California are Fremont, Palo Alto, and San Diego. Los Angeles anchors the market through its aerospace and defense base, the Bay Area draws heavily from semiconductor and cleantech manufacturing, and San Diego's medtech and biotech sectors generate consistent demand for process engineers focused on regulated production environments.
Are there remote manufacturing process engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 19% of manufacturing process engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role requires direct presence on the production floor or in a cleanroom environment. The portions most suited to remote work are documentation, process design review, and data analysis tasks that don't require hands-on equipment interaction.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing process engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for associate process engineer or process technician roles at large California manufacturers, which often serve as the direct on-ramp. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Boston Scientific, and Lam Research run structured new-graduate programs and co-op pipelines at their California facilities. Candidates coming from quality technician, manufacturing technician, or industrial engineering roles are frequently considered for lateral moves. A Six Sigma Green Belt certification or a strong capstone project in process improvement gives applicants without direct experience a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state's aerospace, semiconductor, medtech, and EV manufacturing sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employer.
See All 56 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in California
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