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Process Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Process Development Engineer

Rancho Cordova, CA · On-site

$139.52K - $223.30K/yr

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 ...

About the Role As a Process Development Engineer, you will play a crucial role in designing and optimizing the workflows and tools that enable high-efficiency process technologies, primarily for the ...

Process Development Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$113.60K - $151.40K/yr

As part of the uncooled detector (focal plane array) research and development team, the successful candidate will have responsibility for engineering wafer fab processes including DUV lithography ...

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

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

$72.60K - $96.80K/yr

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

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

Process Development Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$113.60K - $151.40K/yr

As part of the uncooled detector (focal plane array) research and development team, the successful candidate will have responsibility for engineering wafer fab processes including DUV lithography ...

Module Process Development Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181.10K - $318.40K/yr

Module Process Development Engineer Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple ...

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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 May 28, 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 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 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 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:
Process Development Engineer

Process Development Engineer

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA

$110K - $135K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 142 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

12th of 59 rated aerospace companies


Job description

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, launch, and reuse the most advanced rockets in the world. This engineer seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and constantly questions the status quo while improving data integrity and product reliability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes and policies needed for nonconforming hardware management, configuration management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, rocket reusability and maintenance, and other critical business/production systems.
  • Develop business use cases and software requirements for improvements to our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
  • Execute software tasks, potentially including writing scripts, front and back end development, and relational database querying.
  • Own ongoing support and improvement of developed software including technical debt, operational improvement, and new business process or logic implementation.
  • Create AI prompts, workflows, and/or agents that execute or supplement our internal processes and applications
  • Act as subject matter expert in multiple SpaceX processes and systems, enabling complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
  • Develop standardized metrics for the Production and Quality organizations.
  • Develop, review, and approve procedures ensuring completeness, accuracy, regulatory and customer compliance, and quality objectives.
  • Develop and execute training and communication plans during major process changes
  • Collaborate across disciplines including Engineering, Production, Test, Launch, Mission Operations, ERP, Supply Chain, Mission Management, Customer Contracts, and Management to ensure efficiency and consistency across the organization.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field
  • 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience in a Quality Engineering or Industrial Engineering role
  • Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
  • Knowledge of lean and quality tools such as Process Mapping, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem solving approaches
  • Knowledge of Statistical Analysis Tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Regression Analysis, and Minitab (or similar)
  • Project Management experience, particularly related to creating or overhauling cross-functional business processes in a manufacturing environment.
  • Knowledge of database structures and SQL
  • Experience with VBA, Python, .NET, Flask, Javascript, C#, RESTful API development
  • Experience with machine learning and other technical data science topics
  • Experience with version control, testing, build, and deployment of software systems
  • Experience building AI prompts/agents/workflows and using AI code assistants
  • Experience with AS 9100, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485, or similar Quality Management System
  • Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Must be willing to travel - up to 10%

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:   

Pay range:    
Process Development Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Process Development Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.


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