Process Engineer Jobs in California
Process Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and pharmaceutical production, food and beverage processing, and petroleum refining, at every level from entry-level technician-track roles through senior and principal engineers. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Chevron, Genentech, and Intel have long maintained major California operations. The most consistently sought specialties are process optimization, cleanroom and semiconductor process engineering, and bioprocess development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Who We Are
Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.
What We Offer
Salary:
$100,000.00 - $136,500.00
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go.
Role Responsibilities:
- Design, collect data, analyze, and compile reports on difficult process engineering experiments
- Perform hardware characterization on a variety of difficult systems
- Troubleshoot complex problems, perform Root Cause Analysis, and resolve a variety of difficult process engineering issues
- Measure film properties and interpret data
- Generate internal documentation for products, presentations, and technical reports
- Communicate and engage with customers to resolve complex process engineering issues or concerns, under limited supervision
- Identify, select, and partner with vendors and suppliers
- Implement new technology, products, and analytical instrumentation
- Serve as a resource for junior colleagues; lead project teams, as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- 4-7 years of related experience
- Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in complex problem solving
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular
Travel:
Yes, 10% of the Time
Relocation Eligible:
Yes
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
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Find Process Engineer JobsProcess Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Process Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla23

- Applied Materials17

- Keysight Technologies9

- Northrop Grumman8

- Apple7

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware29
- Manufacturing23
- Consulting & Professional Services18
- Technology & Software15
- Telecommunications3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in process engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, or industrial engineering or a closely related field
- Experience with process design, optimization, or scale-up in a regulated California industry
- Proficiency with process simulation software such as Aspen Plus or similar tools
- Familiarity with California environmental and safety regulations including Cal/OSHA compliance
- Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong documentation skills and experience with ISO or GMP quality systems
Process Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a process engineer in California?
Most process engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, industrial, or a related engineering discipline. While California does not require a state license to work as a process engineer in most industry settings, engineers who offer services to the public or sign off on certain designs may pursue licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Professional Engineering exams. In biotech and semiconductor roles, hands-on lab or cleanroom experience and relevant internships carry significant weight with California employers.
Which companies hire process engineers in California?
Employers hiring process engineers in California right now include Tesla, Applied Materials, and Keysight Technologies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor fabs, biopharmaceutical manufacturers, and petroleum refineries means that large, established industrial employers account for the majority of open roles across the state.
Which California cities have the most process engineer jobs?
Fremont, Santa Clara, and San Jose have the most process engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense concentration of semiconductor companies and biotech firms, while Los Angeles draws hiring from the aerospace, food processing, and refining sectors, and San Diego's strong life sciences cluster generates steady demand for bioprocess and pharmaceutical process engineers.
Are there remote process engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Process engineering is largely a hands-on discipline that requires physical presence on the production floor, in the lab, or inside the cleanroom, so most roles are fully on-site. About 22% of process engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings tend to cover upstream design work, process documentation review, or data analysis tasks that can be done off-site.
How can I get hired as a process engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate process engineer role at one of California's large manufacturers or biotech companies, many of which run formal rotational or early-career programs. Companies in California's Bay Area semiconductor corridor and San Diego life sciences community regularly hire engineers directly from university, particularly candidates who completed co-ops or capstone projects with an industrial focus. Pursuing an Engineer-in-Training designation through the California Board for Professional Engineers strengthens a resume, and experience in quality assurance, laboratory technician, or manufacturing technician roles provides a recognized lateral path into process engineering.
Where can I find and apply to process engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to process engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 418+ Process Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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