Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

Process Development Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with sustained demand across semiconductor fabrication, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food and beverage manufacturing at every level from entry-level process technologist to principal engineer. The Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles are the primary hiring centers, where employers like Applied Materials, Genentech, and Edwards Lifesciences maintain large engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties are process scale-up, cleanroom process development, and bioprocess engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles98
Top employerAmgen
Top cityThousand Oaks, CA
Cities hiring44
Work type84% On-site
Top industryScience

Showing 5 of 98+ Process Development Engineer jobs

Synthego
Process Development Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Synthego
Added 1d ago
Process Development Engineer
Synthego
Redwood City, California
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
$105k - $115k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Ferrotec (USA) Corporation
Sr. Process Development Manager
We won't show you this job again
Ferrotec (USA) Corporation
Added 1d ago
Sr. Process Development Manager
Ferrotec (USA) Corporation
Livermore, California
Business Strategy
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Strategy & Corporate Development
$130k - $178k/yr
Master's degree in physics
201-500

Have you applied for this role?

Amgen
Process Development Associate Scientist
We won't show you this job again
Amgen
Added 1d ago
Process Development Associate Scientist
Amgen
Thousand Oaks, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Public Health
$90k.55 - $122k.45/yr
On-Site
Master's degree in chemistry
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

FormFactor, Inc.
Sr Principal Process Development Engineer
We won't show you this job again
FormFactor, Inc.
Added 2d ago
Sr Principal Process Development Engineer
FormFactor, Inc.
Livermore, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$136k - $179k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Eurofins
Fermentation Process Development Engineer - PhD Level
We won't show you this job again
Eurofins
Added 2d ago
Fermentation Process Development Engineer - PhD Level
Eurofins
San Carlos, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
UI/UX Design
$85k - $110k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate in microbiology
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 98 Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs

Process Development Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Thousand Oaks
15 jobs
San Diego
10 jobs
Palo Alto
5 jobs
Foster City
5 jobs
Tustin
4 jobs
Santa Monica
4 jobs
San Francisco
4 jobs
Fremont
3 jobs
Livermore
3 jobs

Process Development Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Amgen
    Amgen12
  • Gilead Sciences
    Gilead Sciences9
  • Tesla
    Tesla6
  • Avid Bioservices
    Avid Bioservices4
  • Dexcom
    Dexcom3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Science & Research
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Technology & Software
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Manufacturing

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in process development engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related engineering discipline
  • Hands-on experience designing, optimizing, or scaling manufacturing or lab processes
  • Proficiency with DOE, statistical process control, and data analysis tools such as JMP or Minitab
  • Familiarity with GMP, ISO, or FDA regulatory frameworks relevant to California industries
  • Ability to author technical documentation including process specifications, SOPs, and validation protocols
  • Experience collaborating cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and R&D teams in a production environment

Process Development Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a process development engineer in California?

A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, materials science, bioengineering, or a related discipline is the standard entry point. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a process development engineer, but engineers who take on broader design responsibility may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Strong candidates build hands-on lab or process experience during internships with California's semiconductor, biotech, or medical device companies.

How much do process development engineers make in California?

Process development engineers in California earn a median of about $130,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,950 for the lowest 10% to over $212,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire process development engineers in California?

Employers hiring process development engineers in California right now include Amgen, Gilead Sciences, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's density of semiconductor fabs, biopharma campuses, and medical device manufacturers means hiring is consistent across the Bay Area, San Diego, and the greater Los Angeles area year-round.

Which California cities have the most process development engineer jobs?

Thousand Oaks, San Diego, and Palo Alto have the most process development engineer openings in California. The Bay Area concentration reflects the region's large semiconductor and biotech employers, while San Diego's strength comes from its established life sciences and medical device cluster, and Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, specialty chemicals, and food manufacturing companies headquartered in the metro.

Are there remote process development engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Process development engineering is inherently hands-on work tied to lab equipment, pilot plants, and manufacturing lines, so most roles require on-site presence. About 16% of process development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. The portions most likely to be done remotely are data analysis, documentation review, and design-phase modeling work.

How can I get hired as a process development engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is landing a process engineering associate or junior process engineer role through a new-graduate program at a major California manufacturer. Companies like Genentech, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and West Pharma Services run structured new-grad and rotational programs at their California facilities. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as quality technician, manufacturing engineer, or process technician have a strong footing, and completing a California community college or university co-op paired with a capstone process project gives a clear portfolio edge.

Where can I find and apply to process development engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to process development engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including semiconductors, biopharma, medical devices, and food manufacturing. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly.

See All 98 Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs