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Process Development Engineer Jobs in Hayward, CA

Nokia

Staff PIC Process Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

As a Staff PIC Process Development Engineer , you will be a senior individual contributor within Nokia's Optical Components organization, responsible for the development, optimization, and transfer ...

First Solar

Development Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Plan, execute, and characterize development engineering experiments in a laboratory environment ... Material & Process Innovation: Lead the development of innovative thin-film materials and ...

Natera

Manager Process Development

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$141K - $177K/yr

The Manager, Process Development will oversee tech transfers, process improvements and best ... engineering, equipment, quality, regulatory and other stakeholders to secure resources and ...

Natera

Manager Process Development

San Carlos, CA · On-site

The Manager, Process Development will oversee tech transfers, process improvements and best ... Interact with engineering, equipment, quality, regulatory and other stakeholders to secure ...

First Solar

Development Engineer I

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$89K - $127K/yr

Working knowledge with a variety of and in-depth knowledge of at least one among these process ... Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager. * May have direct reports. Travel: * Up to ...

Nokia

Staff PIC Process Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

As a Staff PIC Process Development Engineer , you will be a senior individual contributor within Nokia's Optical Components organization, responsible for the development, optimization, and transfer ...

Intel

Module Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Performs process technology feasibility studies through theoretical simulations and/or practical engineering methods * Remains updated on relevant industrial process and material manufacturing ...

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Working knowledge in selective thin film processes (ALD, CVD, PVD, Thermal evap, dry/wet etch ... Reports to Development Engineer or Manager of Device Research. * May have direct reports. Travel:

First Solar

Development Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Working knowledge in selective thin film processes (ALD, CVD, PVD, Thermal evap, dry/wet etch ... Reports to Development Engineer or Manager of Device Research. * May have direct reports. Travel:

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsProcess Development Engineer JobsProcess Development Engineer Jobs in Hayward, CA

Process Development Engineer information

See Hayward, CA salary details

$52.2K

$116.5K

$174.8K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in Hayward, CA is $116,497.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,300.00 and $136,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a process development engineer?

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 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.

More about Process Development Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Process Development Engineer jobs in Hayward, CA? For Process Development Engineer jobs in Hayward, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in Hayward, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in Hayward, CA are:
What cities near Hayward, CA are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Hayward, CA with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
Process Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Process Development Engineer job openings in Hayward, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,497 per year, or $56 per hour.

Development Engineering Supervisor

First Solar

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

First Solar rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 536 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
  • Lead Process Development laboratory operations supporting technology development, pilot process evaluation, and advanced solar cell research activities. Direct and develop a team of technicians responsible for executing experimental work, operating development equipment, maintaining laboratory readiness, and supporting rapid technology learning cycles.
  • Serve as the operational leader between Process Development engineers, equipment engineering, metrology, EHS, and laboratory technicians to ensure safe, repeatable, and efficient experimental execution. Drive operational systems that improve experimental quality, accelerate learning cycles, maximize equipment availability, and increase the effectiveness of technology development programs.
  • Translate engineering objectives into robust technician-executable procedures, develop technician technical capability, and establish execution discipline required to support evolving technologies, changing priorities, and complex development activities.

Education/Experience:
  • Associate's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience supporting semiconductor, photovoltaic, thin-film, advanced manufacturing, or technology development laboratories.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting research, process development, pilot-line, or advanced engineering environments where operating procedures, technologies, and priorities change frequently.
  • Experience leading technicians supporting experimental fabrication, metrology, characterization, or development process equipment.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Critical Communication: Ability to effectively communicate technical priorities, operational risks, and experimental execution concerns across technicians, engineering, management, and support organizations.
  • Experimental Execution Excellence: Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain execution discipline required for repeatable and reproducible experimental results. Strong understanding of procedural compliance, operational variation reduction, and technician-driven process consistency.
  • Technology Development Support: Ability to work effectively within a research and development environment where priorities and process flows evolve rapidly based on technology needs. Capable of translating engineering intent into practical operational execution plans and technician work instructions.
  • Technical Leadership: Working knowledge of semiconductor, thin-film, solar cell, vacuum process, wet chemistry, thermal processing, laser processing, metrology, or advanced laboratory systems. Capable of evaluating operational challenges associated with development equipment and partnering with engineering teams to improve performance, reliability, and experimental throughput.
  • Practical Common Sense: Strong situational judgment to make fast, safe, and logical decisions in a high-hazard, fast-paced environment.
  • First-Line Troubleshooting and Drive Equipment Uptime: experienced guiding operation crew members through first level tool diagnose and quick repair. Capable driving experienced equipment maintenance/support crew on advanced troubleshooting and major repair.

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Daily Supervision: Lead daily execution of technology development activities by aligning technician resources, laboratory capacity, equipment availability, and operational priorities with Process Development objectives.
  • Workflow Optimization: Continuously improve laboratory execution systems to accelerate technology learning cycles while maintaining experimental quality, safety, and data integrity.
  • SOP Development and Execution Discipline: Partner with Process Development engineers to convert development processes into detailed operational procedures suitable for technician execution. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve operational standards that ensure repeatable and reproducible experimental results.
  • Experimental Quality Ownership: Own technician execution quality for development activities by monitoring procedure adherence, identifying sources of operational variation, and implementing corrective actions that improve experimental repeatability.
  • Technology Transfer Support: Support introduction of new technologies, equipment, materials, and experimental processes into laboratory operations by developing training plans, operational controls, and technician qualification requirements.
  • Equipment Reliability: Drive equipment readiness and operational reliability for development laboratories. Lead first-level troubleshooting efforts, coordinate advanced problem-solving activities, and partner with equipment engineering teams to minimize development downtime.
  • Engineering Partnership: Act as the primary operational partner to Process Development engineers by providing feedback regarding technician observations, process execution challenges, equipment limitations, and opportunities to improve experimental throughput and execution quality.
  • Laboratory Capability Development: Develop long-term laboratory capabilities by building technician technical expertise, improving training systems, establishing qualification standards, and implementing operational best practices that support future technology roadmaps.
  • Success Metrics: Success in this role is measured through:
    • Experimental execution quality and repeatability
    • Technology development cycle time
    • Equipment availability and laboratory readiness
    • Technician technical capability development
    • Successful deployment of new technologies and processes
    • Safety performance
    • Cross-functional engineering satisfaction
    • Operational support of Process Development objectives
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Sr Manage of Process Development
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • Up to 10% domestic and international

Estimated Salary Range:
  • 89,440 USD per year- 127,400 USD per year

US Physical Requirements:
Hybrid 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 up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
  • Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
  • Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).
  • All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair).

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.

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