ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Process Development Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Opterus

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · On-site

$90K - $128K/yr

This role bridges engineering and manufacturing, focusing on analysis-driven design, process development, manufacturing tooling development, manufacturability, quality, and continuous improvement ...

Zimmer, Inc.

Manufacturing Sr Engineer I

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$90K - $123K/yr

Engineering services may include cell management, process development, project management, process validation, tool design, and trouble shooting. How You'll Create Impact * Creating, maintaining, and ...

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Berthoud, CO

$108K - $135K/yr

The Senior Materials Engineer will provide sustaining support on both production and development ... process development, and discrepancy resolution * Author and maintain materials standards and ...

Hach

R&D Verification Engineer II

Loveland, CO · On-site

$139K/yr

... processes and principles . This role sits within the Product Development Engineering team, where engineering decisions directly influence usability, reliability, and the overall customer experience.

Advanced Energy

Sr Test Engineer

Fort Collins, CO

$90K - $135K/yr

The position performs a variety of technical, multi-disciplined tasks early in the Product Development Process to provide timely, flexible, universal tools and processes. The Test Engineer makes ...

Kodak Alaris, Inc.

Automation/Robotic Engineer

Windsor, CO · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

The engineer will partner with engineers, operators, mechanics, technicians, and external vendors ... Process development experience and familiarity with performance metrics like OEE (or similar). * 3D ...

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Greeley, CO

$108K - $135K/yr

The Senior Materials Engineer will provide sustaining support on both production and development ... process development, and discrepancy resolution * Author and maintain materials standards and ...

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$108K - $135K/yr

The Senior Materials Engineer will provide sustaining support on both production and development ... process development, and discrepancy resolution * Author and maintain materials standards and ...

Ursa Major

Senior Materials Engineer

Berthoud, CO

$108K - $135K/yr

The Senior Materials Engineer will provide sustaining support on both production and development ... process development, and discrepancy resolution * Author and maintain materials standards and ...

JBS USA

PRINCIPAL R&D SCIENTIST-SAUSAGE

Greeley, CO

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing ... Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and ...

JBS USA

PRINCIPAL R&D SCIENTIST-SAUSAGE

Greeley, CO · On-site

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing ... Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and ...

JBS Imports

PRINCIPAL R&D SCIENTIST-SAUSAGE

Greeley, CO · On-site

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing ... Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and ...

JBS USA

PRINCIPAL R&D SCIENTIST-SAUSAGE

Greeley, CO

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing ... Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and ...

JBS USA

PRINCIPAL R&D SCIENTIST-SAUSAGE

Greeley, CO

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on expert in sausage formulation, processing ... Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and ...

ZENITH INFOTEK LLC

Lead Hardware Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$65 - $70/hr

Hardware Engineer Longmont, CO The candidate should have HW development testing, where the design ... Duties may include research, evaluation, development, and application of new processes and methods ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProcess Development Engineer JobsProcess Development Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Process Development Engineer information

See Fort Collins, CO salary details

$45K

$100.6K

$151K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in Fort Collins, CO is $100,580.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,700.00 and $117,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare expertise and certifications.

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 designs, tests, and optimizes manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. They analyze production methods, develop new procedures, and often use tools like statistical analysis and process simulation to ensure scalable and reliable operations.

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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most process development engineers earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, some senior or specialized engineers in high-demand industries or with extensive experience can earn over $200,000. Earning $500,000 typically requires executive-level roles, such as director or VP of engineering, or highly specialized positions with significant responsibilities and bonuses.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Certain specialized roles, managerial positions, or engineers with advanced certifications and leadership responsibilities can also reach or exceed this salary level.
More about Process Development Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Engineer jobs in Fort Collins, CO? For Process Development Engineer jobs in Fort Collins, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in Fort Collins, CO look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in Fort Collins, CO are:
What cities near Fort Collins, CO are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Fort Collins, CO with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
Process Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Process Development Engineer job openings in Fort Collins, CO as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,580 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Composites Engineer

Opterus

Loveland, CO • On-site

$90K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About Opterus

Opterus Research and Development is an aerospace company specializing in advanced deployable space structures and subsystems. We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance solutions for commercial, defense, and scientific missions.

Position Overview

Opterus is seeking a Composites Engineer (level II or III) to support the development and production of advanced composite components and structures. This role bridges engineering and manufacturing, focusing on analysis-driven design, process development, manufacturing tooling development, manufacturability, quality, and continuous improvement across composite fabrication, assembly, and inspection. You'll work closely with design engineers, technicians, and program teams to transition innovative composite designs from concept to repeatable, flight-ready hardware.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop, document, and optimize composite manufacturing processes (layup, curing, bonding, trimming, and assembly)
  • Provide input on composite laminates based on structural performance requirements
  • Develop mechanical tooling and GSE system design and fabrication for composite structure manufacturing and test
  • Mold tooling, layup tooling, precision trimming and machining systems, part transfer/handling, verification tooling, etc.
  • Interpret engineering requirements and drive manufacturable designs, work instructions, travelers, and process specifications
  • Support prototype builds, first-article manufacturing, and low-rate production
  • Collaborate with structural engineers to improve composite material system performance, manufacturability, yield, and cost
  • Provide hands-on support on the production floor during builds and troubleshooting
  • Provide material choice inputs for composite layup consumables such as mold release, release films, peel plies, bagging, etc.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and repeatability
  • Assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions for nonconformances
  • Ensure compliance with internal quality systems and applicable aerospace standards

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
  • 4+ years of experience in composite manufacturing or aerospace manufacturing engineering
  • Working knowledge of composite materials and processes (prepreg, wet layup, autoclave/oven cure, bonding)
  • Working knowledge of composites theory (constituent materials, anisotropy, micromechanics, micromechanics)
  • Experience with CAD design tools (SolidWorks preferred) and mechanical design
  • Experience developing manufacturing documentation and process controls
  • Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, development-driven environment
  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with aerospace or space-flight hardware
  • Familiarity with high strain composites
  • Experience supporting prototype and low-volume production programs
  • Understanding of quality systems, first article inspection (FAI), and nonconformance processes

Compensation and Benefits

  • Base salary range of $90,000-128,000 based on experience and qualifications
  • Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week)
  • Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
  • Opterus pays 100% of employees' premiums and 70% of dependents' premiums
  • 401K matching up to 4%
  • 9 paid holidays