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Process Development Associate information

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How much do process development associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for process development associate in San Jose, CA is $39.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.40 and $48.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the role of a process associate?

A process development associate is responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing manufacturing or operational processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety. They often analyze data, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and use tools like process mapping and statistical analysis to implement improvements.

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 jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

In the US, high-paying roles such as senior-level physicians, specialized surgeons, corporate executives, investment bankers, and certain technology executives can earn $300,000 or more annually. Process Development Associates typically do not reach this salary level unless they advance to senior management or specialized roles with significant experience and responsibilities.

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 is the highest paying job in manufacturing?

In manufacturing, senior roles such as Manufacturing Director, Plant Manager, or Engineering Manager tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of production processes and safety standards.

What is a process development associate?

A process development associate is a professional responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing manufacturing or operational processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. They often work with cross-functional teams, utilize data analysis tools, and may require knowledge of regulatory standards and process validation techniques.

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 are popular job titles related to Process Development Associate jobs in San Jose, CA? For Process Development Associate jobs in San Jose, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Associate jobs in San Jose, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Associate jobs in San Jose, CA are:
What cities near San Jose, CA are hiring for Process Development Associate jobs? Cities near San Jose, CA with the most Process Development Associate job openings:
Process Development Associate jobs near you
Director, Process Development

Director, Process Development

Cellares

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$170K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
Cellares is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Director to lead enterprise client programs within the Process Development team. The candidate will have extensive experience in cell therapy manufacturing, personnel oversight and client relationship management. This individual will interface across many parts of the company and with customers to translate existing client drug product manufacturing processes onto the Cell Shuttle manufacturing platform.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and developing scientists and research associates, as well as supporting technology transfer and ongoing research and development activities. Extensive experience in experimental design, process development, process characterization, MSAT and cell/gene therapy manufacturing are required. The ideal candidate will be well acquainted with developing scalable processes and transferring them from the development space into manufacturing.
Candidates should enjoy working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, and be prepared to tackle a broad selection of challenges as the company grows.
Responsibilities
  • Developing and leading the Enterprise Programs team within the PD department
  • Managing tech transfer and process development activities to enable regulatory filing
  • Serving as the company's internal subject matter expert with regards to cell therapy manufacturing questions associated with all Enterprise Programs
  • Assuming responsibility for tracking and planning resource allocation, budgets, headcount and continuous team, process and technology improvements
  • Developing best practices, templates, and standards for transitioning processes from development into characterization and, ultimately, manufacturing
  • Planning the process development team's work for the quarters to come with clearly defined goals and resourcing plans
  • Performing gap analyses and translating existing manual and/or automated processes onto the Cell Shuttle platform
  • Performing and supporting in the execution of verification, validation, and performance qualification
  • Authoring standard operating procedures, protocols, and batch records for the manufacturing of Enterprise Program cell therapies
  • Working with our Analytical Development team to assess and quantify the quality of cell therapy manufacturing process steps in meeting Enterprise Program client requirements
  • Authoring high-quality regulatory submissions and technical reports; independently prepare and present data/findings at department, project team, and senior management meetings

Requirements
  • PhD, M.S. or B.S. in biological sciences (Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics)
  • Excellent organizational and communications skills and strong ability to lead and work with individuals across all levels in the organization
  • 4+ years of experience in the cell and gene therapy manufacturing or process development space, with at least two years in an industry setting.
  • Extensive experience with different modalities of genetically modified cell therapies (e.g. CAR-T, TCR, HSCs, CD34+)
  • Experience with both autologous and allogeneic cell therapy manufacturing workflows in preclinical, clinical and/or commercial environments
  • Experience representing companies externally, with strong client relationship management skills
  • Experience with managing and growing process development teams and processes
  • Strong experimental design and troubleshooting skills, able to distill complex scientific information into simple and actionable final reports
  • Experience working in a GMP environment and familiarity with quality requirements
  • Demonstrated experience in process optimization, characterization and tech transfer
  • Excellent data analysis skills and experience with a variety of scientific software applications
  • Great verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interpret, summarize, and present scientific results in a clear, concise, accurate manner to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Must be able to travel up to 15% of the time
  • Self-awareness, integrity, authenticity and a growth mindset

Nice to have
  • Experience interfacing with the FDA
  • PhD / post-doctoral experience in the gene/cell therapy field
  • Experience authoring CMC sections for IND, IMPD and NDA
  • Proven track record of utilizing management and process improvement tools (daily management, problem solving & root cause analysis tools, value stream mapping etc.) to meet and exceed strategic business objectives

$170,000 - $240,000 a year
Cellares' total compensation package contains competitive base salaries, highly subsidized Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, 401(k) Matching, Free EV Charging, Onsite lunches, and Stock options. All displayed pay ranges are approximate, negotiable, and location dependent.
This is Cellares
Cellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The company's Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares' Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand.
The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing.
Leveling will be based on overall experience, education, and demonstration of knowledge throughout the interview process.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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About Cellares

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

South San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2019

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