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 roles74
Top employerAmgen
Top cityThousand Oaks, CA
Cities hiring35
Work type93% On-site
Top industryMedical Devices

Showing 5 of 74+ Process Development Engineer jobs

MACOM Technology Solutions
Principal Process Development Engineer
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MACOM Technology Solutions
Added 1d ago
Principal Process Development Engineer
MACOM Technology Solutions
Morgan Hill, California
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$100k - $180k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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UC Irvine Health
Biologic Process Development Scientist
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UC Irvine Health
Added 1d ago
Biologic Process Development Scientist
UC Irvine Health
Irvine, California
Business Strategy
Product Management
$111k - $211k/yr
Master's degree in microbiology
1,001-5,000

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Henkel
Senior Process Development Engineer
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Henkel
Added 2d ago
Senior Process Development Engineer
Henkel
Bay Point, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$75k - $100k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Amgen
Process Development Sr Scientist
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Amgen
Added 2d ago
Process Development Sr Scientist
Amgen
Thousand Oaks, California
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$126k.05 - $171k.95/yr
On-Site
Master's degree
10,000+

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AstraZeneca
Associate Director, Process Development, Cell Therapy
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AstraZeneca
Added 3d ago
Associate Director, Process Development, Cell Therapy
AstraZeneca
Santa Monica, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$138k - $207k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 74 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.

Thousand Oaks
10 jobs
South San Francisco
9 jobs
San Diego
7 jobs
Palo Alto
5 jobs
Costa Mesa
3 jobs
Santa Clara
3 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs
Irvine
2 jobs
Tustin
2 jobs

Process Development Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Amgen
Amgen8 open roles
Cellares
Cellares6 open roles
Tesla
Tesla5 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Medical Devices
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • 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, Cellares, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, South San Francisco, 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 August 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 74 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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