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 279+ Process Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This position works out of our Temecula, CA location in the Abbott Vascular Devices division. Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive, and cost-effective products for the treatment of vascular disease.
Experienced Manufacturing Process Engineer that works under limited supervision.
Applies subject matter knowledge in the area of Medical Device and Manufacturing Engineering.
Requires capacity to apply skills/knowledge within the context of specific needs or requirements.
What You'll Work On
- Possesses well developed skills in implementing and maintaining pharmaceutical/biological processes.
- Calculates and organizes all data for complex process flow sheets including instrumentation and control considerations.
- Models processes and units operations.
- Ensures proper sequence of operation and prepares specifications and operating instructions for processing equipment.
- Conducts tests and measurements throughout stages of production to determine control over such variables as temperature, density, pressure and viscosity.
- Services, troubleshoots, and solves engineering problems with processes or equipment already in operation.
- Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.
- May be responsible for corrective and preventive actions and investigation management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelors Degree (± 16 years) in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Polymer Sciences/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Science.
Experience/Background
Minimum 3 years of experience.
Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of Process Engineering or Operations experience OR a Master's Degree + 3 years of Process Engineering or Operations experience.
- Process/equipment development and optimization experience in small drug molecules and polymers based drug delivery systems.
- Knowledge of late stage or commercial products experience with strong focus on manufacturing support.
- Experience with Six Sigma, risk analysis methodologies, process characterization, process validation and process monitoring, scale-up, and/or technology transfer experience, PFMECA, DFMECA.
- Strong knowledge of Quality systems, drug product manufacturing and process validation. Work history with cGMPs, regulatory filings and compliance issues for drug product and combination devices.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, teamwork, written and verbal communication skills together with demonstrated ability to work in a highly matrix team environment with enthusiasm and a proactive positive attitude.
COMPENSATION
- The base pay for this position is $61,300.00 – $122,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives.
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
INTRODUCTION
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This position works out of our Temecula, CA location in the Abbott Vascular Devices division. Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive, and cost-effective products for the treatment of vascular disease.
Experienced Manufacturing Process Engineer that works under limited supervision.
Applies subject matter knowledge in the area of Medical Device and Manufacturing Engineering.
Requires capacity to apply skills/knowledge within the context of specific needs or requirements.
What You'll Work On
- Possesses well developed skills in implementing and maintaining pharmaceutical/biological processes.
- Calculates and organizes all data for complex process flow sheets including instrumentation and control considerations.
- Models processes and units operations.
- Ensures proper sequence of operation and prepares specifications and operating instructions for processing equipment.
- Conducts tests and measurements throughout stages of production to determine control over such variables as temperature, density, pressure and viscosity.
- Services, troubleshoots, and solves engineering problems with processes or equipment already in operation.
- Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.
- May be responsible for corrective and preventive actions and investigation management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelors Degree (± 16 years) in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Polymer Sciences/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Science.
Experience/Background
Minimum 3 years of experience.
Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of Process Engineering or Operations experience OR a Master's Degree + 3 years of Process Engineering or Operations experience.
- Process/equipment development and optimization experience in small drug molecules and polymers based drug delivery systems.
- Knowledge of late stage or commercial products experience with strong focus on manufacturing support.
- Experience with Six Sigma, risk analysis methodologies, process characterization, process validation and process monitoring, scale-up, and/or technology transfer experience, PFMECA, DFMECA.
- Strong knowledge of Quality systems, drug product manufacturing and process validation. Work history with cGMPs, regulatory filings and compliance issues for drug product and combination devices.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, teamwork, written and verbal communication skills together with demonstrated ability to work in a highly matrix team environment with enthusiasm and a proactive positive attitude.
COMPENSATION
- The base pay for this position is $61,300.00 – $122,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives.
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
See All 279+ 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
- Applied Materials40
- Apple17
- Kennedy/Jenks Consultants11
- Lam Research11
- TDK Headway Technologies9
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware117
- Consulting & Professional Services43
- Manufacturing39
- Technology & Software37
- Medical Devices11
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 Applied Materials, Apple, and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Milpitas 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 9% of process engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 279+ Process Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Process Engineer Jobs