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Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

In this role, you will be working with Research Scientists, Optics Engineers and Opto-Mechanical Engineers to develop R&D Inspection Benches to validate new inspection methods that are intended to ...

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

In this role, you will be working with Research Scientists, Optics Engineers and Opto-Mechanical Engineers to develop R&D Inspection Benches to validate new inspection methods that are intended to ...

What you will be responsible for As a Software Development Engineer you will • Collaborate with analyst and business teams to solution complex business problems • Create technical specifications ...

In this newly created role, as a Process Development Engineer I, you will work in close collaboration with our Process Development team, and our Senior Process Engineer in particular, to advance our ...

YOUR MISSION As a Supplier Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a vital role in building and sustaining a world-class supplier base capable of delivering flight-quality hardware to ...

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

In this role, you will be working with Research Scientists, Optics Engineers and Opto-Mechanical Engineers to develop R&D Inspection Benches to validate new inspection methods that are intended to ...

Business Development Engineer

Newark, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Business Development Engineer Reports To: Product Marketing Director Job Function: Technical Product Marketing Job Overview: The Business Development Engineer will be responsible for identifying ...

Process Development Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

In this newly created role, as a Process Development Engineer I, you will work in close collaboration with our Process Development team, and our Senior Process Engineer in particular, to advance our ...

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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:
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.
Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

KLA Corporation

Milpitas, CA • On-site

$117K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Job description

Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world's leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow's electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA's metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The Broadband Plasma Division (BBP) provides market-leading patterned wafer optical inspection systems for leading-edge IC manufacturing. Logic, foundry, and memory customers depend on BBP products to detect yield-critical defects for process debug and excursion monitoring at advanced process nodes. BBP flagship products include the 29xx and 39xx series which leverage Broadband Plasma technology to capture a wide range of defects with ultimate sensitivity at the optical inspection speeds needed for inline defect monitoring.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
Responsibilities:
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 expertise from multiple technical disciplines. The selected candidate will:
  • Work with marketing and engineering teams to define system architecture, and create and execute test plans to validate system performance.
  • Collaborate with functional groups to define and review designs to solve customer problems.
  • Support internal and external customers in implementing processes to build and use the tool effectively and solve intricate problems to optimize tool performance.
  • Occasional travel up to 10% will be required

Qualifications:
  • Strong background in engineering or the physical science and demonstrated analysis and problem-solving skills
  • Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills in optics, opto-mechanics, and motion control systems
  • Understanding of Optical, Electromechanical and Software systems and their interactions in the context of complex industrial equipment is a plus.
  • Familiarity with scientific and statistical analysis tools and SW tools such as Matlab, and JMP is beneficial.
  • Experience with scripting languages, such as Python
  • Enthusiastic communicator to provide detailed guidance to colleagues to solve problems, and technical summaries for internal and external customers.
  • Familiarity with image analysis methods is nice plus.

Minimum Qualifications
Master's + 3 yrs, OR Bachelor's + 5 yrs experience
Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA
KLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA's Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.