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Contract Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

K2 Space

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... Getting the process engineering right is not a support function here; it is on the critical path.

K2 Space

Senior Solar Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... Getting the process engineering right is not a support function here; it is on the critical path.

Valspec

Process Validation Engineer

Oceanside, CA

$70 - $80/hr

Contract / consulting -- initial term approximately 12 months, with a possibility of extension Start: ASAP About the Engagement Valspec is seeking Process Engineers to support large-scale biologics ...

black.ai

Senior Optical Process Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150 - $230/hr

Job Summary The Senior Optical Process Engineer will be responsible for process development and ... contract manufacturing management experience is a plus. * Excellent written and verbal ...

GeneFab

Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

The Senior Process Engineer will translate scientific insight into robust manufacturing processes ... This position is offered as a contract engagement with eligibility for conversion to full-time ...

GeneFab

Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA

$72 - $89/hr

The Senior Process Engineer will translate scientific insight into robust manufacturing processes ... This position is offered as a contract engagement with eligibility for conversion to full-time ...

GeneFab

Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

The Senior Process Engineer will translate scientific insight into robust manufacturing processes ... This position is offered as a contract engagement with eligibility for conversion to full-time ...

Doist

Senior/Staff Process Engineer (Assembly)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

# Senior/Staff Process Engineer (Assembly)Lumilens • San Jose, CA • • 2h agoSave this role or ... The successful candidate will work closely with contract manufacturers, equipment and material ...

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All JobsContract Process Engineer JobsContract Process Engineer Jobs in California

Contract Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do contract process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract process engineer in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Contract Process Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical or process engineering, experience with process optimization, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (like Aspen HYSYS or CHEMCAD), project management tools, and safety compliance standards is typically expected. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability are valuable soft skills for managing changing project requirements and collaborating with diverse teams. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective process improvements that meet contractual obligations and client expectations.

Do contract process engineers make more money?

Contract process engineers often earn higher hourly rates compared to full-time employees due to the temporary nature of their work and specialized skills. However, they may have less job security and benefits, and total annual income can vary based on project duration and industry demand. Experience, certifications, and technical expertise can also influence earning potential in this role.

How much does a contract process engineer get paid?

A contract process engineer typically earns between $30 and $70 per hour, depending on experience, industry, and location. Salaries can vary based on project scope, certifications, and the complexity of processes managed.

What is a contract process engineer?

Contract Process Engineers are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project-specific basis to design, optimize, and troubleshoot industrial processes within a company. They often work in industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, or manufacturing, providing technical expertise to improve production efficiency, safety, and quality. Their responsibilities may include process design, equipment specification, project management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Because they work on a contract basis, their assignments may vary in length and scope depending on the needs of the employer.

What is the difference between Contract Process Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectContract Process EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., Six Sigma)Bachelor's or higher in Engineering, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentContract-based, project-specific, often in industrial or manufacturing settingsFull-time, ongoing roles in manufacturing, chemical, or industrial plants
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring temporary or project-based engineersEmployed by companies for continuous process improvement and operations
Search & Comparison IntentCommonly compared for project-based roles and contract workCompared for permanent roles in process optimization

The Contract Process Engineer typically works on temporary, project-specific assignments, focusing on process improvements within a set timeframe. In contrast, the Process Engineer holds a permanent position, overseeing ongoing operations and continuous process optimization. Both roles require similar qualifications but differ mainly in employment type and work scope.

What types of projects or industries do contract process engineers typically work on, and how does this influence their daily responsibilities?

Contract Process Engineers often work on short- to medium-term assignments across industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil and gas, and manufacturing. The nature of their projects can range from process optimization and troubleshooting to equipment commissioning and plant upgrades. Depending on the industry and project scope, daily responsibilities may include conducting process simulations, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, preparing technical documentation, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. This variety allows for broad experience, but also requires adaptability and strong communication skills to integrate quickly with new teams and workflows.

What are the most commonly searched types of Process Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Process Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Process Engineer jobs in California?

For Contract Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Process Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Process Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Process Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Process Engineer job openings:

Contract Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Senior Solar Process Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others - with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
The processes that go into developing K2's solar arrays - from module interconnects and adhesive systems to cover glass coatings and substrate composites - directly determine how much power they produce, how long they last, and how fast we can build them. Getting the process engineering right is not a support function here; it is on the critical path.
You will develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes for K2's solar array systems. The operating environments, mission lifetimes, and production rates we are pursuing demand meaningful impact in how our materials are characterized, qualified, and manufactured. You will own the execution of process development for material systems and novel manufacturing processes as we scale K2's solar array design into production.
Responsibilities
  • Responsible for the development, qualification, and production-scale optimization of K2 solar array processes - including solar module interconnects, bonding, sintering, lamination, deposition, coating, bonding, mechanism joints, and surface treatment
  • Research, evaluate, and support selection of conventional and novel processes for solar array applications, contributing to trades that balance performance, manufacturability, cost, reliability, and schedule
  • Design and execution of structured DOE and statistical analyses to diagnose manufacturing problems and validate corrective actions
  • Use a first-principle, physics-based characterization across production processes to identify sources of variation and opportunities for yield improvement
  • Lead failure analysis, defect characterization, and root causes investigations for process related anomalies
  • Establish and drive corrective action plans back into design requirements and production
  • Own the evaluation, cost/benefit analysis, and selection of manufacturing equipment for all in-house process development
  • Collaborate with the production team to develop process specifications, work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests
  • Define qualification criteria, test envelopes, and characterization campaigns to establish resultant performance across radiation, thermal cycling, mechanical, and plasma environments
  • Partner with solar structures/mechanisms, thermal, avionics, and production teams to define manufacturing process-driven requirements, integrated qualification/acceptance testing, and on-orbit data review
  • Mentor junior engineers on process engineering fundamentals and solar array manufacturing best practices

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in materials and process engineering, with a strong foundation in materials science and engineering principles
  • Hands-on experience with material characterization, testing, and process development for hardware applications

Nice to Have
  • Master's degree or PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field
  • Prior experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for solar array systems across the full development lifecycle - requirements definition, trade studies, development testing, qualification, production, and on-orbit data review
  • Hands-on experience across multiple solar array material systems, with variation in cell technology, interconnect methodology, encapsulant chemistry, and system architecture
  • Deep working knowledge of adhesive systems, composites, thin films, thermal interface materials, and coatings as applied to high-power, long-life solar array hardware
  • Working knowledge of AIAA S111/S112, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-4005, NASA-STD-5017, and NASA-STD-6016 for solar module qualification, materials usage, and spacecraft charging effects
  • Understanding of radiation effects on solar cell and module materials - displacement damage dose modeling, ionizing effects, UV degradation, and atomic oxygen erosion
  • Depth across solar process disciplines including deposition techniques for anti-reflective coatings, chemical etching for bond preparation, encapsulant deposition, methods for corrosion control, outgassing compatibility, descriptive and inferential statistics, and failure analysis
  • Hands-on proficiency with material characterization tools: SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, or equivalent
  • Experience scaling manufacturing processes from prototype to high-rate production, including SPC implementation and manufacturing equipment qualification
  • Python or MATLAB proficiency for test data analysis and degradation modeling

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., s), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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