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Process Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

: Process Development Engineer Huntsman is seeking a Process Development Engineer supporting the Advanced Materials Division located in Los Angeles. This position will report to the Process Development ...

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

In this newly created role, as a Process Development Engineer I, you will work in close collaboration with our Process Development team, and our Senior Process Engineer in particular, to advance our ...

In this newly created role, as a Process Development Engineer I, you will work in close collaboration with our Process Development team, and our Senior Process Engineer in particular, to advance our ...

As a Process Development Engineer at Solidigm you will be responsible for delivering module capability for the next node on the 3D NAND technology roadmap, partnering with the module process ...

Process Development Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $121K/yr

Join our Cooler Integration Team as a Manufacturing/Process Engineer, where you'll own and improve critical production processes from development through execution. You'll partner with design ...

The Process Development Engineer - InP Wafer Fab position is responsible for development, optimization, and manufacturing support of deposition and etch process modules used in the fabrication of ...

Process Development Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $121K/yr

Join our Cooler Integration Team as a Manufacturing/Process Engineer, where you'll own and improve critical production processes from development through execution. You'll partner with design ...

Deposition and Etch Process Development & Ownership (35%): * Develop, qualify, and maintain PECVD ... Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering ...

... development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical ... Provide process engineering support for thin-film hybrid assembly and MIC processes * Support ...

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Showing results 1-20

Process Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$44.9K

$100.3K

$150.5K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in California is $100,281.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $117,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Process Development Engineer, you need a solid foundation in engineering principles, process optimization, and problem-solving, typically supported by a degree in chemical, mechanical, or industrial engineering. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen Plus or MATLAB), Six Sigma methodologies, and relevant industry certifications is often required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork skills help you excel in cross-functional projects and drive continuous improvement. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing efficient processes, ensuring product quality, and supporting organizational competitiveness.

What Is a Process Development Engineer?

A process development engineer designs and plans production systems to be cost-effective, safe, and meet quality requirements for their industry. These professionals often work as part of a quality assurance team or a production management department for industrial companies, such as manufacturing or mining businesses. As a process development engineer, your job duties include reviewing the company's current production processes and designing modifications to the current system or creating new systems to increase productivity. Once you have installed or implemented the system, you make sure to test and troubleshoot it to ensure they run properly.

What are some common challenges faced by Process Development Engineers when scaling up from laboratory to production environments?

One of the main challenges Process Development Engineers encounter is ensuring that processes which work efficiently at a laboratory scale can be reliably and safely replicated in full-scale manufacturing. Differences in equipment size, process dynamics, and raw material variability can lead to unforeseen issues such as inconsistent product quality or unexpected safety hazards. Effective communication and collaboration with both R&D and production teams are essential to troubleshoot problems and optimize process parameters. Engineers often need to adapt quickly, apply problem-solving skills, and implement robust validation protocols to ensure successful scale-up.

What does a Process Development Engineer do?

A Process Development Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. They often work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or electronics, collaborating with cross-functional teams to scale up processes from the lab to full production. Their role includes troubleshooting process issues, implementing new technologies, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. By constantly refining processes, they help companies maintain competitive advantages and meet production goals.

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

AspectProcess Development EngineerManufacturing Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and optimizing manufacturing processes for new productsOverseeing and improving existing manufacturing processes
Work EnvironmentR&D labs, pilot plants, early-stage productionProduction floors, plant operations
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, experience in process designBachelor's or higher in engineering, experience in manufacturing
Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, electronics, chemicals, biotechAutomotive, consumer goods, electronics, industrial manufacturing

While both roles involve process optimization, Process Development Engineers focus on creating and refining new manufacturing processes, often in early development stages. Manufacturing Engineers typically work on maintaining and improving existing production processes to ensure efficiency and quality in ongoing operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Process Development Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Process Development Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Engineer jobs in California? For Process Development Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Engineer jobs in CA? For Process Development Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Process Development Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,281 per year, or $48.2 per hour.
Process Development Engineer

Process Development Engineer

Huntsman Corporation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Huntsman Corporation rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 90 rated chemical manufacturers


Job description

Job Description:
Process Development Engineer
Huntsman is seeking a Process Development Engineer supporting the Advanced Materials Division located in Los Angeles. This position will report to the Process Development Manager.
Job Scope
We are seeking a collaborative and technically strong Process Development Engineer to join our Los Angeles site within the Advanced Materials Division. This role supports both manufacturing operations and innovation activities by helping scale products from development into production while improving safety, quality, reliability, and operational performance. Reporting to the Process Development Manager, this position partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Technology teams to support process improvements, troubleshooting, commercialization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on problem solving, cross-functional collaboration, and translating laboratory and pilot-scale work into safe, reliable manufacturing processes.
In summary, as the Process Development Engineer, you will:
Safety & Compliance
  • Support and promote safe work practices and compliance with EHS, PSM, and Quality requirements
  • Participate in Process Safety Management activities including Management of Change (MOC), risk assessments, and incident investigations
  • Maintain accurate technical documentation and follow laboratory and manufacturing procedures
  • Support safe scale-up and implementation of new products and process changes

Process Development & Manufacturing Support
  • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from development through production
  • Support Manufacturing with process improvement initiatives, troubleshooting activities, and root cause analysis to improve safety, quality, reliability, and operational performance
  • Support product and process requalification activities related to raw material, supplier, or process changes
  • Support capital projects, equipment modifications, and commissioning activities as needed
  • Assist in developing, testing, and optimizing adhesives and related chemical products

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methods
  • Analyze process data and support technical reporting activities
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams
  • Provide technical support to laboratory and operations personnel as needed
  • Maintain laboratory inventory and material tracking processes to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted development activities

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Manufacturing Partnership
  • Build strong working relationships with Production operators, frontline supervisors, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams
  • Serve as a technical resource and collaborative partner for internal stakeholders including Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Marketing, and Technology & Innovation teams
  • Partner with global Process Development colleagues to share knowledge, best practices, and technical support
  • Provide technical guidance and support to Quality Control laboratory personnel as needed
  • Regularly engage with manufacturing operations to support troubleshooting, scale-up, and process optimization activities

What Success Looks Like (6-12 Months)
  • Builds strong relationships with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams
  • Contributes effectively to process improvement, troubleshooting, and commercialization activities
  • Demonstrates ownership, technical curiosity, and strong problem-solving capability
  • Supports safe and successful implementation of process or product changes
  • Begins independently leading smaller technical projects and improvement initiatives

Qualifications
You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.
The candidate must have an unrestricted right to work for Huntsman in the United States.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical discipline
  • 3+ years of experience in process development, manufacturing support, or chemical production environments
  • Experience working in laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing settings
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Knowledge of analytical methodologies and statistical analysis principles

Skills and Knowledge
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong technical curiosity and willingness to learn
  • Safety and quality focused mindset
  • Leadership potential and ownership mentality

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience within chemical manufacturing, advanced materials, adhesives, polymers, or epoxy chemistry
  • Experience supporting commercialization, scale-up, or New Product Introduction (NPI)
  • Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) practices including MOC or PHA participation
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving methodologies
  • Experience with DOE, SPC, or statistical data analysis
  • Project coordination or project leadership experience

Working Environment
  • This role involves laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments, supporting scale-up, troubleshooting, and process optimization activities

What can we offer you?
Salary: $90,000-$118,000 per year
The compensation range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation at the time of posting, considering education, experience, and training.
Benefits:
  • Competitive healthcare, dental, and vision starting Day One
  • One additional week of paid time off on top of vacation
  • 401k - Huntsman automatically contributes 6% of eligible pay; company will match $1 for every $1 contributed up to a maximum of 4%

Huntsman is proud to promote equal opportunity in the workplace All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
All unsolicited resumes presented by recruitment agencies are treated as pro bono information or service and will not be compensated.
Huntsman is aware of scams involving fraudulent job offers. We do not make job offers until after a candidate has submitted a job application and has participated in an interview. Please be advised that any job offer that requires payment or requires you to deposit a check is likely a scam. If you have questions about any open positions at Huntsman or Rubicon, please visit our Careers website at http://www.huntsman.com/corporate/a/Careers.
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About Huntsman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

For 50 years, our employees have been using science and ingenuity to create innovations that play a critical role in the everyday lives of many millions of people. As a global chemicals company, Huntsman’s work forms the building blocks for countless consumer and industrial products that are part of your everyday life. Our employees are united around a common goal: enriching lives through innovation.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Spring, TX, US

Year founded

1970

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