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Lead Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Amat

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Amat

Process Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$124K - $171K/yr

As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing ... Serve as a resource for junior colleagues; lead project teams, as needed Minimum Qualifications:

Ventura Foods

Manufacturing Process Lead

Ontario, CA · On-site

$103K - $134K/yr

The opex engineer leads continuous improvement initiatives, leads root cause problem solving ... The Process Lead will also develop, coordinate, and train employees in various lean/sigma ...

Ventura Foods

Manufacturing Process Lead

Ontario, CA

$103K - $134K/yr

The opex engineer leads continuous improvement initiatives, leads root cause problem solving ... The Process Lead will also develop, coordinate, and train employees in various lean/sigma ...

Applied Materials

Process Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$124K - $171K/yr

As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing ... Serve as a resource for junior colleagues; lead project teams, as needed Minimum Qualifications:

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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 Jun 10, 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 58% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 8% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,528 per year, or $57 per hour.
Process Engineer - Advanced Packaging

Process Engineer - Advanced Packaging

Applied Materials

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Applied Materials rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 518 rated manufacturers

Job description

Who We Are
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.
What We Offer
Salary:
$147,000.00 - $202,500.00
Location:
Santa Clara,CA
You'll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We're committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.
As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes for display and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. You will collect and analyze data, perform hardware characterization, and troubleshoot engineering issues. You'll also measure film properties, generate technical documentation, and engage with customers to resolve concerns. Process Engineers collaborate with vendors and suppliers, and become familiar with implementing new technologies and products. You will experiment, learn, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the semiconductor and display industries, partnering with our globally recognized R&D teams on state-of-the-art research and development projects.
Role Responsibilities:
  • Design, collect data, analyze, and compile results for complex process engineering experiments across multiple process modules; apply findings to establish process baseline, monitor performance and stability.
  • Utilize advanced techniques and methodologies to characterize hardware-process interactions across complex systems, enabling performance optimization and scalability. Collaborate with partner(s) and cross-functional teams to resolve complex process issues and support product and technology development.
  • Support development and validation of process improvements through structured methodologies (e.g., statistical analysis, DOE), ensuring repeatability and transferability of results, lead process matching activities.
  • Communicate and engage with customers to resolve a broad spectrum of complex process engineering issues, with limited supervision.
  • Generate internal and external documentation for products, presentations, technical reports and create process engineering specifications.
  • Develop, plan, and execute process engineering projects, within safety guidelines.
  • Train engineers in measurement techniques required to measure process performance and guide them in the interpretation of the data, new methodologies, troubleshooting techniques and issue resolution.
  • Design and implement new technology, products, and analytical instrumentation. Identify, select, and partner with vendors and suppliers for process development and capability enhancement with limited to no supervision.
  • Lead functional teams or projects, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in a related field
  • 3-5 years of related experience
  • Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in complex problem solving.

Education: Master's Degree
Experience: 3 - 5 Years
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular
Travel:
Yes, 50% of the Time
Relocation Eligible:
No
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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About Applied Materials

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We're the brain (and the brawn) behind every new technology development--whether it's building semiconductor chips for smartphones and computers, or the underpinnings for robotics, AI and even smart TV display screens. With 27,000 employees in 19 countries, we offer an exciting place to grow and learn alongside some of the best people you'll ever meet. We take deep pride in our Culture of Inclusion, and we celebrate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that help us build stronger, more resilient teams. Join us as we innovate to Make Possible a Better Future!

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1967

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