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Graduate Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

L3HHCM20

$102K - $189K/yr

Material Process Engineer Job Code: 35996 Job Location: On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility Job ... Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 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 ...

Graphcore

Graduate Electrical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

... specialised processing power needed to drive AI innovation, while delivering the efficiency ... As a new college graduate in Electrical or Computer Engineering, you will contribute to the design ...

Graphcore

Graduate Electrical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

... specialised processing power needed to drive AI innovation, while delivering the efficiency ... As a new college graduate in Electrical or Computer Engineering, you will contribute to the design ...

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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 Jun 11, 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 5% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.
Production Process Engineer

Production Process Engineer

McKenna Labs, Inc

Fullerton, CA • On-site

$71K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

McKenna Labs is a full-service contract manufacturing company that specializes in hair, skin and body care products. We've been in the personal care development and manufacturing industry since 1998. We are seeking a Production Process Engineer. This is an ideal role for a recent graduate or engineer early in their career looking to gain hands-on experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Summary

The Production Process Engineer supports the development and optimization of filling and packaging processes used in the manufacturing of personal care and OTC drug products. This role focuses on filling technologies for low- to high-viscosity liquids and semi-liquids while ensuring compliance with cGMP, FDA requirements, and customer specifications in a high-mix, fast-paced manufacturing environment. Emphasis on enhancement of efficiency, reduction of costs, and improvement of product quality and safety. Key responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, testing and monitoring equipment, updating current system processes, and ensuring product compliance.

Key Responsibilities include:

  • Carry out responsibilities in compliance with company policies, work procedures, and federal, state and local laws. Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and health and safety rules and regulations

Packaging Process Development & Support

  • Assist in the development and improvement of filling and packaging processes for personal care and OTC products.
  • Support production line setups, changeovers, trials, start-ups, first production runs and validations.
  • Establish critical process parameters to ensure fill accuracy, repeatability, product integrity, and waste reduction.
  • Review and support process validation needs as necessary.

Packaging Equipment & Line Optimization

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve throughput, OEE, and changeover efficiency while reducing scrap.
  • Troubleshoot fill weight variation, foaming, leakage, torque issues, and component compatibility challenges.
  • Provide engineering support for filling lines, including fillers, cappers/torquers, induction sealers, labelers, conveyors, etc.
  • Specify and support installation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) of filling and capping equipment.
  • Support cost-saving projects related to packaging materials and processes.
  • Collaborate with Operations and Quality leaders to identify potential areas of process and product variability, address root causes and implement improvements to ensure the flow of quality products through the supply chain.

Compliance & Documentation

  • Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, process flow diagrams and documentation for filling operations.
  • Support deviation investigations, CAPAs, and change controls related to filling and packaging processes.
  • Assist with packaging specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), and validation documentation.
  • Ensure compliance with cosmetic regulations, OTC labeling, fill volume requirements, product integrity, safety standards, and internal quality systems.

Cross-Functional Support

  • Collaborate with Production to support daily filling and packaging operations.
  • Collaborate with Quality to ensure filling and packaging processes meet GMP and quality standards.
  • Champion training of Operators and Mechanics on new or modified filling processes and equipment.
  • Support Sales, Account Management, Purchasing, and R&D with new product introductions and packaging changes
  • Assist in coordinating activities with packaging suppliers and vendors.
  • Contribute to an environment in which all team members are respected regardless of their individual differences.
  • Maintain a positive and productive relationship with co-workers and others with whom the position may have contact.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Requirements


To fulfill requirements of job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Packaging, Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical) or a related field.
  • 1-2 years of experience in manufacturing, packaging, or engineering (internships experience acceptable).
  • Experience in personal care, cosmetics, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing is a plus, but not required.
  • Basic understanding of manufacturing or packaging processes.
  • Strong technical documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio).
  • Fluency in English required. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a strong differentiator.
  • Must be able to work in person onsite, including the flexibility to support off-shift production, weekend operations, and production trials or launches.
Physical Demands and Work Environment


The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Work is performed primarily in an active production environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment and varying temperatures and humidity. The noise level is usually moderate.
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms and occasionally stoop, kneel, and crouch. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Required to wear all assigned PPE, which may include safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, gloves, hairnets, beard covers, lab coats or smocks, slip-resistant footwear, and respiratory protection where required.


The compensation range for this role is $71,000 - $85,600 per year. Compensation is commensurate with level of knowledge, education, skills, and experience applicable to the position.

We understand that each team member’s situation is unique, and so it is our intent to offer an overall benefits package that can be shaped and molded by each individual to fit their family’s needs. Our current benefits package, which is available to all full-time team members, includes medical, dental, vision insurance, 401k retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, life and disability coverage, and other voluntary benefits.

We want everyone to feel welcome, respected and we are committed to providing the best space, experience and workplace for our teams – no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability status and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

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