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Process Development Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Siegfried

Process Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

The Process Engineer II within Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T) Department provides the ... Responsible for the robustness and capability of the manufacturing processes developed using ...

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Process Development Engineer information

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$48.8K

$109.1K

$163.7K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in Irvine, CA is $109,069.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $127,700.00 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.

More about Process Development Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA are:
What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
Process Development Engineer jobs near you
Manufacturing Process Development Engineer, Intelligence Systems

Manufacturing Process Development Engineer, Intelligence Systems

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$78K - $100K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM
Anduril's Manufacturing Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Process Development Engineer to join our team. The Manufacturing Engineering department develops and implements robust manufacturing processes to ensure Anduril's defense products are produced efficiently, reliably, and at scale.
As a Manufacturing Process Development Engineer, you will design, optimize, and implement manufacturing processes with a focus on manual assembly operations, dispense applications, and technical documentation creation. The right person for this role has strong process engineering skills, experience creating detailed work instructions, expertise in manufacturing process optimization, and the ability to provide real-time production support. If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, can adapt quickly to changing requirements, and is passionate about developing innovative manufacturing solutions to support cutting-edge defense technology production, then this role is for you.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Design and optimize manual assembly processes to maximize efficiency, quality, and repeatability in a high volume, low-mix production environment
  • Develop comprehensive manufacturing work instructions and process documentation with clear visual aids that enable consistent production quality
  • Engineer and optimize dispensing operations for adhesives, sealants, thermal materials, and other critical applications
  • Provide active lineside support during production, quickly addressing process deviations and implementing solutions to maintain production flow
  • Drive issue resolution through root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive measures to continuously improve manufacturing processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design engineering, quality, and production to ensure manufacturability of new and existing products
  • Evaluate and implement process improvements to reduce cycle time, minimize defects, and increase overall manufacturing efficiency
  • Develop and validate process parameters, establishing clear control limits to ensure consistent quality
  • Support new product introductions by developing robust manufacturing processes that can scale from prototype to production
  • Participate in design reviews to provide manufacturing feedback and ensure designs are optimized for assembly
  • Utilize AS9100 standards to drive process development and drive issue resolution
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
  • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing process development, preferably in a high-reliability industry
  • Demonstrated expertise in creating clear, detailed work instructions and manufacturing process documentation
  • Experience optimizing manual assembly operations and establishing standardized work
  • Proven ability to analyze and improve manufacturing processes using lean manufacturing principles
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with ability to implement effective solutions quickly
  • Experience with dispensing technologies and manual application optimization for adhesives, sealants, or similar materials
  • Proficiency with CAD software for creating assembly documentation and tooling design
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
  • Experience with manufacturing execution systems and digital work instructions
  • Currently possesses an active U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments
  • Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles
  • Familiarity with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability studies
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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