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.

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Overview

Open roles30+
Top employerHeadway Technologies
Top cityMilpitas, CA
Cities hiring19
Work type93% On-site
Top industryElectronics

Showing 5 of 30+ Process Development Engineer jobs

MACOM Technology Solutions
Assembly Process Development Engineer
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MACOM Technology Solutions
Added 1w ago
Assembly Process Development Engineer
MACOM Technology Solutions
Morgan Hill, California
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
$117k - $171k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Teledyne FLIR
Process Development Engineer
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Teledyne FLIR
Added 2w ago
Process Development Engineer
Teledyne FLIR
Goleta, California
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control
Manufacturing Engineering
$91k - $121k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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5Am Venture Management, LLC
Process Development Engineer
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5Am Venture Management, LLC
Added 2w ago
Process Development Engineer
5Am Venture Management, LLC
Emeryville, California
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$85k - $125k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Headway Technologies
Process Development Engineer
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Headway Technologies
Added 3w ago
Process Development Engineer
Headway Technologies
Milpitas, California
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
$121k - $178k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Dexcom
Principal Process Development Engineer
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Dexcom
Added 3w ago
Principal Process Development Engineer
Dexcom
San Diego, California
Data Science & Analytics
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Specialized Engineering
Data Science
Data Analytics
Engineering (Non-Software)
$164k - $274k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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See All 30 Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

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Process Development Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Milpitas
5 jobs
Cupertino
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Santa Clara
2 jobs
Sunnyvale
2 jobs
Alhambra
1 jobs
Burlingame
1 jobs
Campbell
1 jobs

Process Development Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Headway Technologies
    Headway Technologies4
  • Apple
    Apple3
  • Dexcom
    Dexcom3
  • Teradyne
    Teradyne2
  • 5Am Venture Management
    5Am Venture Management1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware12
  • Medical Devices6
  • Consulting & Professional Services4
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
  • Technology & Software2

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 Headway Technologies, Apple, and Dexcom, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?

Milpitas, Cupertino, and San Diego 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 7% of process development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 30 Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

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

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