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Biotech Process Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer III

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$115K - $149K/yr

MS Degree in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related discipline with pharmaceutical / biotechnology manufacturing & process development with ...

Process Engineer III

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$115K - $149K/yr

MS Degree in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related discipline with pharmaceutical / biotechnology manufacturing & process development with ...

Process Development Senior Scientist

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site

$96K - $131K/yr

Since 1980, we've helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world's toughest ... Process Development Senior Scientist What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world. In ...

Senior Scientist

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$131K - $168K/yr

... process development with leading expertise in various cell and gene therapy product types. PBS Biotech is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist, Bioprocess R&D, to join our ...

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Biotech Process Development information

See California salary details

$19

$32

$44

How much do biotech process development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for biotech process development in California is $32.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.17 and $35.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is biotech process development?

Biotech process development refers to the design, optimization, and scale-up of manufacturing processes used to produce biological products, such as pharmaceuticals, enzymes, or vaccines. Professionals in this field work to turn laboratory procedures into efficient, large-scale industrial processes that meet regulatory and quality standards. This often involves selecting suitable equipment, optimizing conditions, ensuring reproducibility, and troubleshooting production issues. The ultimate goal is to produce high-quality products safely, consistently, and cost-effectively.

What is the difference between Biotech Process Development vs Biotech Manufacturing Associate?

AspectBiotech Process DevelopmentBiotech Manufacturing Associate
Primary FocusDesigning, optimizing, and scaling up bioprocesses for product developmentExecuting manufacturing processes to produce biopharmaceuticals at scale
Work EnvironmentLaboratories and pilot plant facilitiesProduction floors and manufacturing plants
Required SkillsProcess design, lab techniques, troubleshootingEquipment operation, quality control, adherence to SOPs
Typical CredentialsBSc/MSc in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldsBSc in Biotechnology, Biology, or related fields

While both roles are essential in biotech, Biotech Process Development focuses on creating and optimizing processes during product development, whereas Biotech Manufacturing Associates handle the day-to-day production to ensure consistent product quality at scale.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Biotech Process Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Biotech Process Development, you need a strong background in bioprocess engineering, molecular biology, and chemistry, typically supported by a degree in biotechnology or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as bioreactors, chromatography systems, and data analysis software, along with certifications in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for optimizing processes, ensuring product quality, and driving innovation in the biotech industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Biotech Process Development, and how are they typically addressed?

Professionals in Biotech Process Development often encounter challenges related to scaling up processes from the laboratory to commercial production, ensuring product consistency, and meeting strict regulatory standards. Addressing these challenges typically involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams such as quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing. Continuous process optimization, thorough documentation, and robust validation protocols are essential strategies to overcome these hurdles and ensure successful product development and commercialization.
What job categories do people searching Biotech Process Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Biotech Process Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Biotech Process Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Biotech Process Development job openings:
Principal Engineer, Process Development

Principal Engineer, Process Development

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Edwards Lifesciences rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient's life. Our Global Operations & Quality team plays a central part in ensuring our products are delivered to patients with cardiovascular disease. You'll partner cross-functionally with manufacturing operations and sales teams, delivering thoughtful solutions to complex challenges all while developing your knowledge of the medical device industry. Whether your work includes technical engineering, strategic business planning, process innovation, product compliance, supplier management, or enabling supply chain operations, you will be making a meaningful contribution to our team and to patients all over the world.
Innovation starts from the heart. Heart valve disease impact millions of lives, spanning all ages and geographies. As communities globally address the opportunities and challenges of cardiovascular care, telling a compelling and authentic story is more crucial than ever. At Edwards Lifesciences, our Manufacturing and Engineering teams develop tools, technologies, and processes to power the production of life-changing medical devices to transform patients' lives.
Within the Tissue Process Engineering Group, this position serves as a technical contributor and project lead, supporting the development, deployment, and optimization of advanced tissue manufacturing processes for structural heart valve portfolio.
How you'll make an impact:
  • Serve as a senior technical authority for advanced tissue manufacturing and laser-based process technologies across the Edwards Implant Network.
  • Lead technology projects from concept through implementation, including prototyping and characterization, system architecture and requirements definition, vendor selection and management, , system commission, , site transfer, and production ramp-up.
  • Lead the development, evaluation, and integration of complex tissue process technologies into new product development and manage lifecycle improvements.
  • Serve as the technical project lead overseeing technology development and commercialization, with responsibility for project schedules, managing technical risks and mitigation, developing validation and implementation strategies, leading a cross-functional team, and facilitating stakeholder communication throughout design, build, validation, site transfer, and sustainment phases.
  • Partner closely with the Tissue & Biotechnology Center of Excellence (T&BCOE), New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), Quality, Regulatory, Validation, suppliers, and global manufacturing sites to translate design intent and Voice of the Factory into robust tissue manufacturing and laser process solutions.
  • Design and execute, complex experiments and validation strategies to qualify tissue manufacturing technologies in a highly regulated environment.
  • Apply principles of biomechanics to mechanical design, automation, and technologies, such as , laser and optical systems, chemical processing, vision systems, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to advance tissue manufacturing capability.
  • Own laser process development activities including parameter development, window characterization, process capability studies, and ongoing optimization for yield, throughput, and quality.
  • Act as a mentor and technical coach to engineers and technicians, elevating organizational capability in tissue processing and laser technologies.
  • Promote safety, ergonomic, laser safety, and automation best practices in the design and implementation of tissue process solutions.

What you'll need:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or scientific with 6 years of engineering experience including technology site transfers in a highly regulated environment.
  • Experience working with laser equipment.
  • Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.
  • Onsite required.

What else we look for:
  • Advanced degrees and/or Lean Six Sigma Certification.
  • Medical device industry.
  • Experience with design, development, operation, and troubleshooting of laser systems including ultra-short pulse, CO₂, fiber, and related laser technologies.
  • Demonstrated experience with advanced automation, vision systems, data-driven manufacturing, or AI-enabled process control.
  • Experience serving as a technical project lead with a track record of successfully transferring complex manufacturing or laser-based technologies across sites or product lines.
  • Strong financial acumen related to capital equipment, budget and operating expense management, and cost-benefit analysis.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership in the end-to-end equipment design and development process, including defining equipment and software requirements, driving system architecture and detailed specifications, and ensuring alignment with manufacturing and regulatory needs.
  • Proven experience managing external vendors through selection, qualification, and on-going partnership for equipment delivery from concept through factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, validation, and production readiness.
  • Demonstrated expertise in manufacturing process development, optimization, and validation of complex equipment or laser-based processes, including authoring and executing characterization, IQ/OQ/PQ, and equipment technical documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $121,000 to $171,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
COVID Vaccination Requirement
Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.

What Edwards Lifesciences employees say

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About Edwards Lifesciences

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company collaborates with the world's leading clinicians and researchers to address unmet healthcare needs, working to improve patient outcomes and enhance lives. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Edwards Lifesciences has extensive operations in North America, Europe, Japan, Latin America and Asia and currently employs over 15,000 individuals worldwide. For us, helping patients is not a slogan - it's our life's work. From developing devices that replace or repair a diseased heart valve to creating new technologies that monitor vital signs in the critical care setting, we focus on helping patients regain and improve the quality of their life.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1958