ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Lead Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hilmar Cheese Company

Process Engineer II

Hilmar, CA

Lead troubleshooting of persistent, complex operational issues, providing win:win solutions that ... Lead Process Engineering components of new product development, experimental equipment and design ...

Oura

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$122K - $158K/yr

Lead process development, validation, and design transfer for consumer electronics products from EVT/DVT through PVT and mass production ramp * Own the process documentation suite, including assembly ...

AllSTEM Connections

Process Engineer

Temecula, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Client The Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, validating, and sustaining ... Lead process validation activities, capability studies, and qualification efforts for new and ...

Northwoodspace

Lead SMT Process Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

We are seeking a Lead SMT Process Engineer to build and scale our in-house PCB assembly capability. This person will be responsible for developing the full board assembly process, defining assembly ...

Revolution Foods

Process Engineer

Commerce, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Lead the development of unified processes, SOPs, and best practices across multiple sites to ensure ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field * 5 ...

Amat

Process Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$147K - $202K/yr

As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing ... Lead functional teams or projects, as needed Minimum Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in a ...

AllSTEM Connections

Process Engineer

Temecula, CA

$130K/yr

Client The Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, validating, and sustaining ... Lead process validation activities, capability studies, and qualification efforts for new and ...

Applied Materials

Process Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing ... Lead functional teams or projects, as needed Minimum Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in a ...

Danone

Process Engineer

City Of Industry, CA · On-site

The Process Engineer is responsible for the equipment improvement, standardization, technical ... Lead and coach process benchmarking & reapplication * Collaborate with Line Leader and line team ...

Danone

Process Engineer

City Of Industry, CA

The Process Engineer is responsible for the equipment improvement, standardization, technical ... Lead and coach process benchmarking & reapplication * Collaborate with Line Leader and line team ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLead Process Engineer JobsLead Process Engineer Jobs in California

Lead Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$21.7K

$118.5K

$167.8K

How much do lead process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead process engineer in California is $118,528.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,100.00 and $132,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Lead Process Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

As a Lead Process Engineer, collaboration with cross-functional teams is a key part of the role. You’ll work closely with project managers, mechanical and electrical engineers, safety specialists, and operations staff to ensure process designs meet project goals, safety regulations, and operational requirements. This often involves leading technical meetings, integrating feedback, and aligning process improvements with broader business objectives. Effective communication and stakeholder management are essential, as you’ll serve as the main point of contact between engineering and other departments throughout a project lifecycle.

What does a Lead Process Engineer do?

A Lead Process Engineer is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, optimization, and management of industrial processes within a manufacturing or production facility. They lead teams of engineers and technicians, ensuring that processes run efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively while meeting quality and regulatory standards. Their duties often include process improvement, troubleshooting, project management, and collaborating with other departments to support operational goals.

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

To thrive as a Lead Process Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or process engineering, experience with process design and optimization, and typically a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen HYSYS or CHEMCAD), project management tools, and industry certifications like PE or Six Sigma is highly valuable. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies ensure efficient process operations, high safety standards, and successful project delivery in complex industrial environments.

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

AspectLead Process EngineerProcess Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees process design, optimization, and team coordinationDevelops and implements process improvements under supervision
QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering, experience in process design, leadership skillsBachelor's degree in engineering, technical knowledge, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentProject teams, manufacturing plants, engineering departmentsManufacturing facilities, engineering teams, project sites

In summary, the Lead Process Engineer typically has more leadership responsibilities, overseeing projects and teams, while the Process Engineer focuses on executing process improvements and technical tasks. Both roles require engineering credentials and industry experience, but the Lead Process Engineer often requires additional leadership skills and experience.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Process Engineer jobs in California? For Lead Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Process Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lead Process Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Lead Process Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Lead Process Engineer jobs in CA? For Lead Process Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Lead Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Process Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,528 per year, or $57 per hour.
Process Engineer II

Process Engineer II

Hilmar Cheese Company

Hilmar, CA

Other

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

The Process Engineer II is responsible for supporting the Company's strategic objectives through development of the optimum, most cost-effective process technologies used to manufacture Hilmar's products to enhance profitability, market position, and growth. This position will provide Process Engineering support on all aspects of the manufacturing process: maximizing productivity, reducing operating costs, and improving process sustainability through energy and water usage reduction. The work includes troubleshooting problems in existing processes, finding optimization opportunities that improve process capability, evaluating new technologies to determine their applicability, cost, and benefits to Hilmar, and designing new and/or improved processing lines. The Process Engineer II will focus on a specific manufacturing site and/or business area, provide support to other sites on discrete projects, as well as develop specialties based on business needs and accumulated work experience.

Job Responsibilities
  • Be a critical contributor to manufacturing site Process Improvement teams to deliver industry leading products and processes that help drive the business forward in its quest for operational excellence.
  • Spends time in production plants, identifying operational pain points and reviewing performance data to find opportunities to improve yield, quality, and throughput.
  • Lead troubleshooting of persistent, complex operational issues, providing win:win solutions that balance multiple KPIs and optimize total cost of ownership. Implement these in a manner that makes it easier for the business to execute and deliver value successfully and sustainably.
  • Works with appropriate cross-functional teams such as Operations, FSQA, Training, Maintenance, Engineering, or Operational Technology to implement changes.
  • Develop and implement process control strategies aimed at improving results and reducing process variability. Collaborate with Controls Engineers to test, debug, and deploy control programs effectively.
  • Lead Process Engineering components of new product development, experimental equipment and design, and plant trials. Utilize insights gained to guide final process design and commercialization.
  • Partnering with Project Engineering and cross-functional teams on capital projects, provide design decisions in new Process design. Develop P&IDs, perform mass balances, and develop functional descriptions. Ensure project design aligns with the project's business objectives.
  • Lead the Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) process within asset / capital investment projects to ensure successful execution, on-time startup, and delivery of business objectives.
  • Effectively document learnings and best practices; provide technical training to business stakeholders.
  • Stay up to date on latest available technologies, industry direction, and trends to continuously improve HCC's technology portfolio. Manage Hilmar's trade secrets and competitive advantage appropriately.
  • This role supports a primary manufacturing site, but may require 20 - 40% travel depending on business need and project activity. 
What You Will Need
  • B.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 2 years' manufacturing experience, or M.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 1 year manufacturing experience.
  • Ability to complete energy and mass balances
  • Ability to collect and analyze production data using statistical techniques
  • Ability to effectively summarize and present technical information to a variety of audiences
  • Experience with writing functional descriptions of physical processes
  • Ability to develop operational models of plant processes
  • MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint at intermediate level
What Will Put You Ahead
  • B.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 4 years' manufacturing experience, or M.S. in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other Engineering field plus 3 years' manufacturing experience
  • Knowledge of unit operations commonly found in the food industry and waste-water treatment
  • Experience with clean-in-place (CIP) system design and operational principles
  • Certification or direct experience with Problem Solving methodologies (ex: Root Cause Analysis)
  • Knowledge of CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, Validation) criteria development and implementation
  • Experience with statistical analysis or process simulation software
  • Leadership and teambuilding skills
Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office environment and the physical demands are characteristic of a mostly sedentary role. Specific details of the essential functions of the position are available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request. 

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

English Information | Spanish Information

Salary Range: USD ($75,539.00 - $113,309.00) ANN 

The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Apply