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Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amrize

Senior Process Engineer

Garden Grove, CA · On-site

$105K - $137K/yr

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with a strong background in chemical process environments. In addition to managing the entire project lifecycle - from scope definition to commissioning ...

Amrize

Senior Process Engineer

Garden Grove, CA · On-site

$105K - $137K/yr

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with a strong background in chemical process environments. In addition to managing the entire project lifecycle - from scope definition to commissioning ...

Saige Partners

Process Engineer

Lathrop, CA · On-site

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering. * 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or food processing, preferably in aseptic processing. * Experience with ...

Kosmos

Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Growing Manufacturing Company in Butte, Montana has a need for a Process Engineer. This is a direct ... The position will require research and application of advanced chemical engineering theories ...

Beyondmeat

Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA

None EDUCATION,SKILLS &QUALIFICATIONS * BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Biosystems Engineering or Food Process Engineering- required * 1-2years of relevant ...

Saige Partners

Process Engineer

Lathrop, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering. 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or food processing, preferably in aseptic processing.

Beyond Meat

Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

None EDUCATION, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS * BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Biosystems Engineering or Food Process Engineering - required * 1-2 years of ...

Hilmar Cheese Company

Process Engineer II

Hilmar, CA · On-site

A Typical Day The Process Engineer II is responsible for supporting the Company's strategic ... S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 2 years' manufacturing ...

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Chemical Process Engineer information

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How much do chemical process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical process engineer in California is $99,997.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chemical process engineer do?

A Chemical Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing processes used in the production of chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, food, and other products. They work to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability in manufacturing plants by analyzing chemical reactions, equipment, and workflows. Chemical Process Engineers often collaborate with other engineers and technicians to troubleshoot problems and implement new technologies in production systems.

What is the difference between Chemical Process Engineer vs Chemical Production Technician?

AspectChemical Process EngineerChemical Production Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related fieldAssociate's degree or technical certification in chemical technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, optimize, and oversee chemical processes in labs or plantsOperate and maintain equipment on the production floor
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, petrochemical, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectorsChemical manufacturing plants and processing facilities

The Chemical Process Engineer focuses on designing and improving chemical processes, requiring a degree in engineering. In contrast, the Chemical Production Technician handles daily operations and equipment maintenance, often with technical certifications. Both roles are vital in chemical industries but differ in responsibilities, education, and work scope.

What is a chemical process engineer?

A chemical process engineer’s responsibilities cover designing and developing processes for transforming raw materials into marketable products. You can hold a chemical process engineer job in an industry that processes natural gases, paper, pharmaceuticals, plastic, food, and other products. You will analyze procedures, communicate effectively with team members, apply math, science, and engineering concepts, and conduct experiments and report the results. Many types of chemical engineering careers exist in chemical production and manufacturing, mineral processing, oil exploration, sustainable engineering, and alternative energy fields. However, you can find chemical engineers with diverse duties in jobs in nearly every industry that creates a product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chemical process engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Process Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical engineering principles, process design, and safety regulations, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS), knowledge of P&ID development, and relevant certifications like Six Sigma are highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help you excel in this role. These skills ensure that processes are efficient, safe, and cost-effective, supporting both operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

What are some typical challenges a chemical process engineer faces when optimizing plant operations?

Chemical Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing production efficiency with safety and environmental regulations, troubleshooting unexpected equipment malfunctions, and integrating new technologies into existing systems. They must collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including operators, maintenance staff, and quality control, to implement process improvements. Staying adaptable and proactive in problem-solving is key to overcoming these challenges while maintaining smooth and cost-effective operations.
More about Chemical Process Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California? For Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Chemical Process Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Chemical Process Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Chemical Process Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Process Engineer jobs in CA? For Chemical Process Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Chemical Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chemical Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,997 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Sr. Process Engineer

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$188K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Department Summary
The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management strategies from the laboratory/bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and software solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas: (1) Technologies for CO2 removal (from the atmosphere and the ocean), utilization, and avoidance (2) Technologies for creating new supply chains, and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo) that are foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes. ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. Prominently, these action teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE and the 2021 Liveability Challenge, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies, including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and Equatic Inc.
Position Summary
ICM is seeking an experienced Senior Process Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing carbon removal technologies with global impact. This role will lead projects from early-stage feasibility and pre-FEED through the design, construction, and delivery of demonstration-scale plants, requiring a strong blend of process engineering and project engineering expertise. Reporting to the Institute Director and Project Lead, this individual will drive day-to-day research and development activities, working closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders, including partners and vendors. The role requires hands-on technical leadership, effective cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate innovative concepts into scalable, real-world solutions. The successful candidate will collaborate with a diverse group of subject matter experts in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on delivering measurable results.
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
  • 5 or more years Experience in chemical process design and developing basic or detailed engineering packages for metallurgical or oil refining/petrochemical/gas processing/chemical industries. (Required)
  • 5 or more years Experience as a project engineer/manager in delivering /supporting capital projects. (Required)
  • Experience with process simulation (e.g. Aspen Plus). (Preferred)
  • Experience with electrochemical systems including electrolyzers and fuel cells. (Preferred)
  • Has worked for, or with, EPC teams in both office and project-site locations. (Preferred)
  • Proficiency with Aspen Plus modeling and simulation, and Aspen Icarus cost estimation tools. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, collaborate across functions, and communicate effectively to drive results. (Required)
  • Working knowledge of diverse fabrication and prototyping methods across multiple process environments. (Required)
  • Solid foundation in core engineering principles. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability of taking ownership, being driven and result oriented, holding yourself and others accountable for success. (Required)
  • Excellent communication skills, forthcoming in interpersonal relationships and able to work seamlessly across internal stakeholders, partners and external vendors. (Required)
  • Highly structured thinking, including the ability to define overarching development plans, and to track plan execution among different team members and internal/external partners. (Required)
  • Strong chemistry knowledge. (Preferred)
  • Strong interest in climate technologies and sustainability solutions. (Preferred)

    • Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
  • Bachelor's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering. (Required)
  • Master's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering. (Preferred)

    • Special Conditions for Employment
  • Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
  • Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

    • Schedule
    8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Union/Policy Covered
    TX-Systemwide Technical
    Complete Position Description
    https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Research%20and%20Development%20Engineer%203%20TX%20(TBD_941375)

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