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Freelance Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Designer

San Francisco, CA

$120K - $128K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Senior Designer to support one of the most globally ... Adept at utilizing AI tools to inform and streamline the design process, from research to ...

Manages payment processing for all control room production staff, vendors, freelancers, etc. Technical Production & Live Event Support * Oversees control room content loading & programming for 49ers ...

Manage payment processing for all control room production staff, vendors, freelancers, etc. * Oversee control room content loading & programming for 49ers home games within Ross CMS, including ...

Senior Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $128K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Senior Designer to support one of the most globally ... Adept at utilizing AI tools to inform and streamline the design process, from research to ...

Senior Designer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $128K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Senior Designer to support one of the most globally ... Adept at utilizing AI tools to inform and streamline the design process, from research to ...

Senior Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K - $195K/yr

At Adyen, everything we do is engineered for ambition. For our teams, we create an environment with ... Manage and direct freelancers and creative agencies, providing clear creative briefs, feedback, and ...

Senior Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K - $195K/yr

At Adyen, everything we do is engineered for ambition. For our teams, we create an environment with ... Manage and direct freelancers and creative agencies, providing clear creative briefs, feedback, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do freelance process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance 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 is the difference between Freelance Process Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectFreelance Process EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering degree, certifications optionalEngineering degree, professional certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteFull-time, employed by a company, on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageClients across industries, contract-basedManufacturing, chemical, or industrial firms
Search & Comparison IntentFreelance Process Engineer vs Process EngineerFreelance Process Engineer vs Process Engineer

While both roles focus on optimizing processes, a Freelance Process Engineer works independently on various client projects, often remotely, and may lack the full-time employment benefits. A Process Engineer is typically employed full-time within a company, focusing on ongoing process improvements in a specific industry. The choice depends on your preference for independence versus stability.

What is a freelance process engineer?

A Freelance Process Engineer is a professional who designs, optimizes, and troubleshoots industrial processes on a contract or project basis, rather than as a full-time employee. They work with companies in industries like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or energy to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. Freelance Process Engineers often handle multiple clients, offering flexibility and specialized expertise for short-term or ongoing projects. They may be involved in process design, simulation, equipment selection, or regulatory compliance.

How do freelance process engineers typically collaborate with client teams during projects?

Freelance Process Engineers often work closely with client teams by participating in regular virtual meetings, providing detailed progress updates, and integrating feedback to ensure alignment with project goals. Effective collaboration may require adapting to different communication styles and project management tools used by various organizations. Building strong professional relationships and being proactive in clarifying expectations are key to overcoming challenges such as remote integration and limited onsite presence. This collaborative approach helps ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance process engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance Process Engineer, a strong background in chemical or mechanical engineering, process optimization, and project management, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional certification, is essential. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as AutoCAD, Aspen HYSYS, and process simulation software is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and client management skills help freelancers stand out by effectively addressing client needs and adapting to diverse projects. These abilities enable the engineer to deliver efficient solutions, ensure client satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in the freelance marketplace.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Freelance Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Senior Designer

AKQA

San Francisco, CA

$120K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labors of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients. Designers play essential roles in the strategy, conception, and design of beautiful ideas, products and services, bringing exceptional creative thought and craft output from brief to end user.

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Senior Designer to support one of the most globally recognized consumer brands in the world, a company with an enormous and deeply loyal customer base whose digital products and services touch millions of people every day. This is a meaningful, high-visibility engagement where strong design craft and systems thinking directly shape the experience of a massive, diverse audience. You will bring deep expertise in digital products and services as well as design systems, and you will work within a collaborative, fast-moving team environment. This is a freelance role running through September 30, 2026.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Deliver high-quality UI and visual design across digital product surfaces, with a strong grounding in user-centered design principles and a meticulous eye for craft
  • Contribute to, maintain, and evolve a sophisticated design system, working confidently across components, tokens, patterns, variants, and states with a focus on scalability and consistency
  • Translate UX direction and wireframes into polished, pixel-precise designs that are both on-brand and highly usable
  • Develop and deliver high-fidelity prototypes and interactive experiences primarily utilizing Figma
  • Work both strategically and tactically, weighing tradeoffs and exploring multiple solution concepts across a complex ecosystem of digital products and services
  • Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, strategists, and engineers to ensure design decisions are well-integrated and grounded in user needs
  • Adept at utilizing AI tools to inform and streamline the design process, from research to prototyping
  • Contribute to continuously raising the bar for design quality, process, and delivery standards within the engagement

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • A compelling portfolio of distinctive work demonstrating strong design craft across digital products and services, with clear evidence of design systems experience
  • Expert-level Figma skills, including advanced component management, variables, libraries, and design system architecture
  • Able to develop simple and elegant design solutions to complex design problems
  • Comfortable working within a large, complex consumer brand with established visual and design guidelines, and skilled at designing compellingly within those guardrails
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across UX, product, strategy, and engineering
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Fosters progressive and limitless thinking

Location & Commitment

  • West Coast based; must be available during Pacific Time working hours
    • Monthly travel to client headquarters for collaborative working sessions of a few days at a time
  • Through September 30, 2026
  • 40 hours/week
  • Expected weekly compensation: 2,600 to 3,400