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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Showing 5 of 356+ Process Engineer jobs
ABOUT US
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.
Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As a Process Engineer with a focus on Documentation, you will play a critical role in establishing and maintaining the manufacturing processes, documentation systems, and technical standards that enable consistent, high-quality production. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams, you will ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current processes and supports efficient, compliant, and repeatable operations.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys bringing structure and clarity to complex manufacturing environments while driving standardization, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the business.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
Manufacturing Documentation & Process Control
- Develop, maintain, and control manufacturing documentation including work instructions, SOPs, process specifications, visual aids, routings, and technical reports to ensure alignment with engineering requirements and quality standards.
- Manage document control processes, including Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), configuration changes, process revisions, and product releases while maintaining traceability and revision history.
- Ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current production practices, process requirements, and approved changes.
Process Development & Manufacturing Readiness
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams to define, document, qualify, and optimize processes that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
- Develop process maps, manufacturing routings, process flows, and error-proofing methods to support production readiness, validation, and scalable manufacturing.
- Support new product introductions, technology transfers, and product/process qualifications by ensuring documentation, tooling, and controls are in place.
Change Management & Cross-Functional Support
- Coordinate documentation updates associated with Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), deviations, nonconformances, and product or process changes, ensuring configuration control and traceability.
- Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to assess impacts and implement process documentation updates.
- Provide sustaining engineering support by incorporating process improvements, lessons learned, and product changes into manufacturing documentation.
Continuous Improvement & Training
- Analyze manufacturing performance, process effectiveness, and documentation practices to identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, yield improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support training and knowledge transfer initiatives by ensuring manufacturing documentation is clear, user-friendly, and effective for operator qualification and ongoing competency development.
- Participate in root cause investigations, corrective action activities, and process improvement projects to ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects approved changes and best practices.
WHAT YOU BRING
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Optical, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Technical Documentation within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, and visual work instructions.
- Strong understanding of document control, configuration management, and engineering change processes.
- Experience supporting regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar standards.
- Proficiency with document management systems, PLM, ERP, or electronic document control systems.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Strong technical writing skills with the ability to translate complex manufacturing processes into clear, concise, and effective documentation.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
- Experience within photonics, optics, aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, or other precision manufacturing environments preferred
- Experience authoring technical reports, engineering documentation, process specifications, and manufacturing procedures.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and experience with PLM, ERP, MES, or electronic document management systems preferred.
Notes
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities, and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
Please note that this position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. To comply with U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are U.S. persons as defined under the EAR and ITAR. Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for compliance purposes only.
ABOUT US
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.
Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As a Process Engineer with a focus on Documentation, you will play a critical role in establishing and maintaining the manufacturing processes, documentation systems, and technical standards that enable consistent, high-quality production. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams, you will ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current processes and supports efficient, compliant, and repeatable operations.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys bringing structure and clarity to complex manufacturing environments while driving standardization, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the business.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
Manufacturing Documentation & Process Control
- Develop, maintain, and control manufacturing documentation including work instructions, SOPs, process specifications, visual aids, routings, and technical reports to ensure alignment with engineering requirements and quality standards.
- Manage document control processes, including Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), configuration changes, process revisions, and product releases while maintaining traceability and revision history.
- Ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current production practices, process requirements, and approved changes.
Process Development & Manufacturing Readiness
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams to define, document, qualify, and optimize processes that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
- Develop process maps, manufacturing routings, process flows, and error-proofing methods to support production readiness, validation, and scalable manufacturing.
- Support new product introductions, technology transfers, and product/process qualifications by ensuring documentation, tooling, and controls are in place.
Change Management & Cross-Functional Support
- Coordinate documentation updates associated with Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), deviations, nonconformances, and product or process changes, ensuring configuration control and traceability.
- Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to assess impacts and implement process documentation updates.
- Provide sustaining engineering support by incorporating process improvements, lessons learned, and product changes into manufacturing documentation.
Continuous Improvement & Training
- Analyze manufacturing performance, process effectiveness, and documentation practices to identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, yield improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support training and knowledge transfer initiatives by ensuring manufacturing documentation is clear, user-friendly, and effective for operator qualification and ongoing competency development.
- Participate in root cause investigations, corrective action activities, and process improvement projects to ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects approved changes and best practices.
WHAT YOU BRING
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Optical, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Technical Documentation within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, and visual work instructions.
- Strong understanding of document control, configuration management, and engineering change processes.
- Experience supporting regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar standards.
- Proficiency with document management systems, PLM, ERP, or electronic document control systems.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Strong technical writing skills with the ability to translate complex manufacturing processes into clear, concise, and effective documentation.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
- Experience within photonics, optics, aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, or other precision manufacturing environments preferred
- Experience authoring technical reports, engineering documentation, process specifications, and manufacturing procedures.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and experience with PLM, ERP, MES, or electronic document management systems preferred.
Notes
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities, and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
Please note that this position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. To comply with U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are U.S. persons as defined under the EAR and ITAR. Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for compliance purposes only.
See All 356+ Process Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- Tesla20
- Northrop Grumman10
- Applied Materials10
- Apple9
- FujiFilm7
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware38
- Manufacturing33
- Consulting & Professional Services20
- Technology & Software16
- Medical Devices10
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, Northrop Grumman, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
Santa Clara, Fremont, 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 16% of process engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 356+ Process Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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