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Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Process Development Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

SpaceX

Process Development Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

Nvidia

Product Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

We are seeking Product Development Engineers who are experienced, creative problem solvers in various areas and passionate to want to make a visible impact with the work they do. As part of the ...

Orbotech

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

The selected Product Development Engineer will work within the Broadband Plasma products. This role will involve requirements analysis, system design and testing of complex inspection systems using ...

Orbotech

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

... development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company ...

Computer Futures

Development Engineer

Palo Alto, CA

If you are excited about experimenting, innovating and want to grab the opportunity to make a BIG difference as we transform our Dev Ops architecture, this is the job for you. You will be responsible ...

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Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.4K

$94.9K

$151.5K

How much do development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for development engineer in California is $94,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $105,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Development Engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Development Engineers frequently work alongside designers, product managers, quality assurance teams, and manufacturing specialists to bring projects from concept to completion. They participate in regular meetings to align on project requirements, address technical challenges, and integrate feedback from different departments. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are crucial, as Development Engineers often serve as the technical bridge between teams, ensuring that the final product meets both functional and business goals.

What do development engineers do?

Development engineers design, develop, and test new products or systems, often working on improving existing technologies. They use engineering principles, CAD software, and testing tools to create prototypes and ensure functionality, quality, and safety. Their work typically involves collaboration with cross-functional teams and may require knowledge of manufacturing processes and industry standards.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Senior engineering roles such as petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, and software development engineers in high-demand industries can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, or extensive experience. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, and compensation varies based on location and company size.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Development Engineer, you need strong analytical abilities, a background in engineering (typically a bachelor's degree or higher), and proficiency in product design and development principles. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and relevant industry certifications such as Six Sigma or PMP is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These capabilities are important because they enable the creation of innovative, high-quality products that meet technical standards and client needs.

What Is a Development Engineer?

A development engineer is responsible for creating a design for a manufacturing product. Your job duties include conducting research on the potential product, developing design specifications for the product, creating prototypes that can be evaluated, and being involved in market research. The qualifications for a career as a development engineer include a bachelor’s degree, although some employers may prefer a master’s degree in engineering or a related field. A successful development engineer needs strong creative skills and a excellent attention to detail, especially with design.

What is the difference between Development Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDevelopment EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often in software, electrical, or systems fieldsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentProduct development, R&D, design teams, often in tech or manufacturing companiesDesign, analysis, testing, and manufacturing in industrial, automotive, or aerospace sectors
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, manufacturing, electronics, software companiesAutomotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, manufacturing
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in product development, software or hardware designDesigning mechanical systems, machinery, or components

Development Engineers focus on creating and improving products, often in software or integrated systems, while Mechanical Engineers specialize in designing and analyzing mechanical systems and components. Both roles require engineering degrees but differ in their focus areas and industries.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

Development engineers typically require a degree, but some high-paying roles in sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship can earn $10,000 or more monthly without a formal degree. Success in these fields often depends on skills, experience, and network building rather than formal education.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as software engineers, petroleum engineers, and aerospace engineers can reach or exceed $300,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive or lead engineering positions often offer compensation in this range, particularly with bonuses and stock options included.

What are Development Engineers?

Development Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test new products, processes, or systems in various industries such as technology, manufacturing, or automotive. They work closely with cross-functional teams to turn ideas and concepts into practical, market-ready solutions. Their responsibilities often include research, prototyping, troubleshooting, and optimizing existing products or processes. Development Engineers play a key role in innovation and ensuring the technical feasibility and quality of new developments.
More about Development Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Development Engineer jobs in California? For Development Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Development Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Development Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Development Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Development Engineer jobs in CA? For Development Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,895 per year, or $45.6 per hour.
Process Development Engineer

Process Development Engineer

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY
The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build, launch, and reuse the most advanced rockets in the world. This engineer seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and constantly questions the status quo while improving data integrity and product reliability.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes and policies needed for nonconforming hardware management, configuration management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, rocket reusability and maintenance, and other critical business/production systems.
  • Develop business use cases and software requirements for improvements to our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
  • Execute software tasks, potentially including writing scripts, front and back end development, and relational database querying.
  • Own ongoing support and improvement of developed software including technical debt, operational improvement, and new business process or logic implementation.
  • Create AI prompts, workflows, and/or agents that execute or supplement our internal processes and applications
  • Act as subject matter expert in multiple SpaceX processes and systems, enabling complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
  • Develop standardized metrics for the Production and Quality organizations.
  • Develop, review, and approve procedures ensuring completeness, accuracy, regulatory and customer compliance, and quality objectives.
  • Develop and execute training and communication plans during major process changes
  • Collaborate across disciplines including Engineering, Production, Test, Launch, Mission Operations, ERP, Supply Chain, Mission Management, Customer Contracts, and Management to ensure efficiency and consistency across the organization.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field
  • 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience in a Quality Engineering or Industrial Engineering role
  • Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
  • Knowledge of lean and quality tools such as Process Mapping, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem solving approaches
  • Knowledge of Statistical Analysis Tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Regression Analysis, and Minitab (or similar)
  • Project Management experience, particularly related to creating or overhauling cross-functional business processes in a manufacturing environment.
  • Knowledge of database structures and SQL
  • Experience with VBA, Python, .NET, Flask, Javascript, C#, RESTful API development
  • Experience with machine learning and other technical data science topics
  • Experience with version control, testing, build, and deployment of software systems
  • Experience building AI prompts/agents/workflows and using AI code assistants
  • Experience with AS 9100, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485, or similar Quality Management System
  • Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Must be willing to travel - up to 10%

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Process Development Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Process Development Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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