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Process Development Associate Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Process & Training Associate Department:Project Services Reports To:Manager, Process & Training ... Support development and delivery of training programs, including onboarding and refresher sessions ...

Process & Training Associate Department: Project Services Reports To: Manager, Process & Training ... Support development and delivery of training programs, including onboarding and refresher sessions ...

Providing technical leadership in hands‑on process development, applying advanced engineering ... Prior experience managing early career engineers, scientist, or research associates. * Expertise in ...

We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Process Engineer to support process development ... Prior experience managing early career engineers, scientist, or research associates. Expertise in ...

You will perform process development and engineering runs in a GMP environment, contribute to process design, troubleshooting, scale-up/scale-out, assay development, and technology transfer to ...

You will perform process development and engineering runs in a GMP environment, contribute to process design, troubleshooting, scale-up/scale-out, assay development, and technology transfer to ...

Process Technician 3

Fremont, CA · On-site

$23.56 - $46.63/hr

... development teams and process engineers. * Assist in technical troubleshooting and improvement opportunities of the application lab tools and experiment setups. Who we're looking for * Associates ...

Process Technician 4

Fremont, CA · On-site

$27.88 - $53.85/hr

Your technical expertise supports process development, contributing to Lam's commitment to ... Associates degree in technical field, Technical Certificate, Diploma or higher in semiconductors ...

Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of ... Working knowledge with a variety of and in-depth knowledge of at least one among these process ...

Showing results 21-40

Process Development Associate information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$22

$39

$58

How much do process development associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for process development associate in Santa Clara, CA is $39.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.45 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a process development associate?

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 are the most commonly searched types of Process Development jobs in Santa Clara, CA? The most popular types of Process Development jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Associate jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Process Development Associate jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Process Development Associate jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Process Development Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Process Development Associate job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,282 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Cell Process Development & Manufacturing

Retro

Redwood City, CA

$115K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Retro develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We focus on cellular reprogramming and autophagy to broadly improve tissue function by targeting mechanisms of aging with the ultimate aim of adding 10 years to healthy human lifespan.

We’re building a mission-driven team of accomplished and kind individuals who embrace our startup culture of rapid iteration, transparency, and versatility.

We are hiring a new member of the Microglia Therapeutics team* who will help us ramp toward manufacturing readiness. In the near term, this role will focus on hands-on execution of cell culture and manufacturing-related activities in support of GMP readiness and production. Over time, as manufacturing operations become established, this person may also contribute more broadly to process development activities. 

About you:

You are a thoughtful, hands-on team member who likes making complicated things work in the real world. You bring strong experience with iPSC-derived cell types and understand the care, consistency, and discipline required to work with live cell products. You move fast, sweat the details, and do not see speed and rigor as opposites. You are comfortable with repetitive, SOP-driven work and take pride in doing it with consistency and care, while also staying curious, noticing when something is off, and looking for ways to help the team and process work better. You are organized, collaborative, and low-ego, and you are willing to jump in where needed to help the team succeed. You communicate clearly, take ownership of your work, and are excited to help move the mission forward.

In this role you will:
  • Perform culture of mammalian cells, mainly iPSCs using aseptic technique.

  • Differentiate iPSCs to brain cell types like microglia in a bioreactor.

  • Formulate media and reagents for PD and manufacturing activities. 

  • Follow SOPs and perform work in a GMP facility. 

  • Work collaboratively across Retro teams such as Manufacturing, Assay Development, Quality Control, Automation, etc.

  • Analyze and present experimental data to our internal teams and collaborators.

  • Maintain highly organized and detailed notes in an electronic lab notebook and contribute to supporting documents.

  • Perform regular lab organization activities and ordering.

You might thrive in this role if you:
  • Have a B.S. in Biology or a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or an M.S. with at least 3 years of post-degree research experience.

  • Have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including work with bioreactors and process development activities.

  • Are willing to do hands-on manufacturing work and can execute consistently in structured, SOP-driven environments.

  • Work well in a collaborative, fast-moving environment and maintain detailed, high-quality documentation.

It’s a bonus if you:
  • Have experience with iPSCs or microglia culture.

  • Have worked in a GMP manufacturing facility.

*At Retro, we don't use titles. New hires join as a "Member of X Team". The expectations for this role are generally aligned to levels ranging from Senior RA or Associate Scientist. 

Total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits including:

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family

- 401(k) plan with 4% matching

- Flexible time off and 10 company holidays per year

- Paid parental leave

- Annual learning & development stipend

- Monthly Longevity stipend

- Daily Retro-sponsored lunch and snacks

We take pride in cultivating an environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. We believe that great results are best delivered by a highly creative team working in concert. We are an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are diverse in background and singular in mission.

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.