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Process Development Associate Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

First Solar

Development Engineer I

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$89K - $127K/yr

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 ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

... process/test equipment related to project, ensuring timely supply of raw material/consumables ... Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA

... process/test equipment related to project, ensuring timely supply of raw material/consumables ... Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of ...

SAVE

Director of Development

Fremont, CA · On-site

Development Associate, Grants Manager, and occasional external contractors ESSENTIAL ... Leadership, Business Process & Financial Management * Workflows: Establishes clear operational ...

SAVE

Director of Development

Fremont, CA · On-site

Development Associate, Grants Manager, and occasional external contractors ESSENTIAL ... Leadership, Business Process & Financial Management * Workflows: Establishes clear operational ...

SAVE

Director of Development

Fremont, CA · On-site

Development Associate, Grants Manager, and occasional external contractors ESSENTIAL ... Leadership, Business Process & Financial Management * Workflows: Establishes clear operational ...

Oclaro

Senior Wafer Process Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$87K - $125K/yr

... to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open ... It requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams in Process Development, Integration ...

ServiceRocket

Associate, Business Development

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$52K - $71K/yr

At ServiceRocket, we are committed to the development of every Rocketeer and the trust of every ... Our Selection Process Our goal is for you to interview us. We want you to meet our team so that you ...

ServiceRocket

Associate, Business Development

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$52K - $71K/yr

At ServiceRocket, we are committed to the development of every Rocketeer and the trust of every ... Our Selection Process \uD83D\uDD0E Our goal is for you to interview us. We want you to meet our ...

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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 job categories do people searching Process Development Associate jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Associate jobs in Santa Clara, CA 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:
Process Development Associate jobs near you
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.

Development Engineer I

First Solar

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$89K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

First Solar rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

456th of 538 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
  • Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
  • Responsible for projects or functions that are highly complex require significant innovation and critical to department objectives.
  • Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment with strategic foresight. Drives actions with strategic foresight.
  • Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others

Education/Experience:
  • Associate's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 year of experience as an Associate Engineer or Development Engineer Technician III at First Solar.
  • Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 1 year of relevant technical experience or 2 year of experience as an Associate Engineer at First Solar
  • 2-4; years of manufacturing work experience is preferred
  • Engineering or material science background is preferred

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Prior experience in yield study, device or film level failure analysis, corner case study, spec development, SPC establishment, quality system establishment (IQC, IPQC, OQC)
  • Working knowledge with a variety of and in-depth knowledge of at least one among these process techniques: sputtering, CVD, ALD, CMP, wet/dry etch, evaporation, laser, slot die, inkjet print
  • User level knowledge of variety of characterization tools such as XPS, TOF-SIMS, DSIM, X-SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, XRF, FTIR, UV-Vis, RBS, Raman, Ellipsometry
  • Prior experience authoring/sustaining/auditing production standard documents including SOP, PTP, QCP, training matric
  • It's a plus to have:
    • Hands-on working experience in semi fab or display fab
    • Knowledge on semiconductor device physics
    • People or program management experience
    • Python or other coding capability related to databasing
  • Ability to work independently with no supervision.
  • Ability to follow Safe Work Practices. Full understanding of LOTO.
  • Ability to communicate on a regular basis with all levels of associates.
  • Excellent computer skills (Windows, Office, JMP).
  • Excellent written and oral presentation skills
  • Demonstrated strength in critical thinking, attention to details
  • Good team player, accountable, agile, go-getter.
  • Willing to work odd hours or long hours when pressed by deadlines or under urgent line down situations

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Ensure RnD line health through unit process and thin film material quality monitoring, critical analysis, and continuous improvement
  • Report out line health daily/weekly: data gathering, excursion root cause analysis, solution planning
  • Perform generic line troubleshooting with process and integration teams in a timely manner as required
  • Study process window through corner cases and establish process spec/control limit
  • Establish yield bridge, drive yield improvement through process, operation, material, equipment improvement
  • Improve operation productivity through analysis of operation bottleneck, identify cost-neutral opportunities and drive implementation
  • Own operation alignment with sister sites
  • Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
  • Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • Up to 10% domestic and international

Estimated Salary Range:
  • $89,440-$127,400 Annually.

US Physical Requirements:
  • Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
  • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
  • Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards).

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

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