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Process Development Associate Jobs in California

Process Development Sr Associate

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site +1

$96.61K - $119.06K/yr

Process Development Sr Associate Duties: Support the development, characterization and scale up of cell culture and protein purification operations to enable commercial manufacturing advancement by ...

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Process Development Associate information

See California salary details

$18

$33

$48

How much do process development associate jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for process development associate in California is $33.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.26 and $40.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Process Development Associate, you need a strong background in biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Experience with laboratory instrumentation, process optimization tools, and familiarity with regulatory standards such as GMP are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills for excelling in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring efficient process design, regulatory compliance, and successful scale-up in manufacturing environments.

What are the primary challenges faced by a Process Development Associate when scaling up laboratory processes to manufacturing scale?

A Process Development Associate often encounters challenges in translating small-scale laboratory protocols into large-scale manufacturing processes. Variations in equipment, raw material quality, and environmental conditions can impact reproducibility and efficiency. Addressing these issues requires strong troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and engineering to ensure smooth technology transfer and consistent product quality.

What is a Process Development Associate?

A Process Development Associate is a professional who assists in designing, optimizing, and scaling up manufacturing processes, typically in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or chemical engineering. They work closely with scientists and engineers to develop efficient, safe, and cost-effective processes for producing products or materials. Their responsibilities often include conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, troubleshooting process issues, and supporting technology transfer to manufacturing. This role is essential for ensuring that new or improved products can be produced reliably at larger scales. Process Development Associates help bridge the gap between research and full-scale production.

What is the difference between Process Development Associate vs Process Engineer?

AspectProcess Development AssociateProcess Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field; often some experience in process developmentBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering or related; more emphasis on engineering principles
Work EnvironmentLaboratory and pilot plant settings, focused on process research and developmentManufacturing plants, production lines, and process optimization environments
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, and chemical industries; entry to mid-level rolesChemical, manufacturing, and process industries; more senior roles in process optimization

The Process Development Associate primarily focuses on developing and optimizing new processes in lab and pilot settings, often working closely with R&D teams. In contrast, the Process Engineer applies engineering principles to scale up processes, improve manufacturing efficiency, and troubleshoot production issues. While both roles require a background in chemical or process engineering, the Process Development Associate is more research-oriented, whereas the Process Engineer emphasizes process implementation and optimization in production environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Process Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Process Development jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Associate jobs in California? For Process Development Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Process Development Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Process Development Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Process Development Associate job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,143 per year, or $33.2 per hour.

Process Development Associate

ApTask Global Workforce

Thousand Oaks, CA

$26.62/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking a Process Development Associate for an Onsite position with a Global Biotechnology Company located in Thousand Oaks, CA. This is a 12-month contract opportunity.
This lab-based role is part of an integrated bioprocess development group where cell culture and purification scientists collaborate to advance a dynamic pipeline of clinical programs. The successful candidate will support the development, characterization, scale-up, and support of upstream and downstream processes. The position offers a unique opportunity to work on multiple modalities including antibodies, BiTEs, oncolytic viruses, bispecifics, and siRNAs.
Responsibilities:
  • Work in a team environment to contribute to drug substance process development
  • Complete mammalian cell culture experiments at different scales in shake flasks and bioreactors
  • Implement purification experiments, mainly filtration and chromatography, at bench and pilot scale as needed
  • Document experimental data in lab notebooks
  • Analyze data and present to the team
  • Author technical reports and support regulatory filing as needed
  • Contribute to technology development projects to seek continuous improvement in reliability and efficiency

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree OR Associate's degree and 2 years of experience OR High school diploma / GED and 4 years of experience
  • Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Bioprocessing field or relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry preferred
  • At least one year of relevant hands-on lab experience in cell culture or protein purification
  • Attention to detail and critical thinking ability

Desired skills:
  • Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or other relevant sciences
  • Ability to identify, develop and implement solutions to practical problems through application of fundamental scientific and engineering principles
  • Basic understanding of protein chromatography, filtration or cell culture principles
  • Prior experience with data analytical tools (Excel, Spotfire, etc)
  • Experience with statistical analysis and programming in JMP, R, and/or Python environments
  • Motivated self-starter with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Familiarity with design of experiments and statistical analysis of data

Pay range: up to $26.62 per hour
Only candidates available and ready to work directly as Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) employees will be considered for this position.
If you have the described qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, apply today!
Aptask Global Workforce (AGW)
ApTask Global Workforce (AGW) is a certified Minority and Veteran workforce solutions company. AGW delivers operational, clinical, lab and professional talent with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. The company supports clients with reliable staffing, program expertise and a commitment to quality, speed and consistent delivery.
Benefits of working with ApTask Global Workforce include:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Sick Pay (for applicable states/municipalities)

Our team stays close to the process and is here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more, please visit our website
ApTask Global Workforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.