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Graduate Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sanmina

Process Engineer - Electroplating

San Jose, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Process Engineer - Electroplating Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with ... A minimum of 5 years working experience in electrochemical processing or a graduate degree with <5 ...

Sanmina

Sr. Process Engineer - Lithography

San Jose, CA · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Process Engineer - Lithography Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with the ... A minimum of 7 years working experience in electrochemical processing or a graduate degree with <5 ...

L3HHCM20

$122K - $227K/yr

Material Process Engineer Job Code: 40269 Job Location: On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility Job ... Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a ...

L3HHCM20

$178K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Specialist, Process Manufacturing Engineer Job Code: 38406 Job Location: Onsite at ... Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, a ...

AECOM

Graduate Civil Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

Join us. AECOM is seeking a Graduate Civil Engineer to be based in Sacramento, California This ... At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any ...

AECOM

Graduate Civil Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

Join us. AECOM is seeking a Graduate Civil Engineer to be based in Sacramento, California This ... At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any ...

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All JobsGraduate Process Engineer JobsGraduate Process Engineer Jobs in California

Graduate Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do graduate process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate 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 does a Graduate Process Engineer do?

A Graduate Process Engineer assists in designing, analyzing, and optimizing processes within industries such as manufacturing, chemical, or energy. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers to improve efficiency, ensure safety, and reduce costs. Their duties may include data analysis, process simulations, troubleshooting plant operations, and supporting project implementation. This role provides hands-on experience and training, serving as a foundation for a career in process engineering.

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

AspectGraduate Process EngineerProcess Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-levelBachelor's or higher in engineering; typically 1+ years experience
Work EnvironmentTraining programs, supervised tasks, academic projectsOperational plants, project management, process optimization
Employer & IndustryManufacturing, chemical, oil & gas, pharmaceuticalsSame industries, more autonomous roles

The main difference is experience level: Graduate Process Engineers are entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting processes, while Process Engineers have more experience and handle complex process design and optimization tasks.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Graduate Process Engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As a Graduate Process Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of tasks such as analyzing process data, assisting with process design and optimization, supporting troubleshooting efforts, and participating in project teams for process improvements or new installations. You’ll often be paired with experienced engineers who provide mentorship while you gradually take on more complex assignments. This role offers exposure to hands-on problem-solving, collaboration with operations and maintenance teams, and opportunities to contribute to safety and efficiency initiatives. The first year is typically focused on learning company processes, building technical skills, and developing a holistic understanding of plant operations.

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

To thrive as a Graduate Process Engineer, you need a solid grounding in chemical or process engineering principles, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen HYSYS or MATLAB), safety protocols, and industry standards is often required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for optimizing processes, ensuring operational safety, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals.
What are popular job titles related to Graduate Process Engineer jobs in California? For Graduate Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Process Engineer jobs in California are:
Graduate Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Process Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.
Process Engineer - Electroplating

Process Engineer - Electroplating

Sanmina

San Jose, CA • On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Sanmina rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

119th of 141 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Process Engineer - Electroplating Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with the industry focusing on Interconnect Technology and Miniaturization. With layers of circuits approaching more than 70 layers and features approaching below 1 mil (25.4 microns), the industry is rapidly changing from the early 2000s to enabling technologies in the 2020s and 2030s. Sanmina's PCB division is at the forefront of this renaissance, offering new opportunities for talented engineers in chemical engineering, material science, physics, and mechanical engineering

Sanmina is seeking engineers to explore opportunities to unleash the potential of advanced semiconductors and enable significant technological advancements. The Process Engineer will be responsible for the electroplating process lines. Nature of Duties/Responsibilities: Responsible for the electroplating processes and process tools used for PCB manufacturing.

Develop and use SPC / KPI's to track process performance; drive continuous improvement projects Partner with equipment engineering to develop and document performance maintenance checklists. Define qualification requirements to be used after PM's and down tool events. Understand the capabilities of your fabrication process.

Source new tools, drive tool changes, and develop new processes to enhance PCB manufacturing capabilities. Work closely with operations to ensure that process work instructions are clear and processes are operator-friendly. Work collaboratively with upstream and downstream process modules to investigate defect root causes and develop solutions.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Chemical or Materials Science Engineering. A minimum of 5 years working experience in electrochemical processing or a graduate degree with <5 years experience in electrochemistry. Experienced with SPC.

Strong data analysis skills and proficiency with tools such as JMP, Minitab, Excel Experienced in statistical data analysis and Design of Experiments Proven track record in solving problems using 8D and continuous improvement via DMAIC. Good written and oral communication skills. A self-starter and go-getter capable of driving the yield improvement progress Salary Range (annual) : $100,000.00-$135,000.00 Actual base pay within this range (determined at the offer stage) will be based on a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, and skills, and is just one element of our total rewards package

The total rewards package also includes a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business and, depending on the role, may include eligibility for restricted stock unit awards and participation in a discretionary bonus program. This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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