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

Stryker

Process Development Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$102K - $171K/yr

Lead development of manufacturing processes at external suppliers for new product introduction ... Develop and coordinate manufacturing industrialization plans, including engineering builds ...

Stryker

Process Development Engineer

Irvine, CA

$102K - $171K/yr

Lead development of manufacturing processes at external suppliers for new product introduction ... Develop and coordinate manufacturing industrialization plans, including engineering builds ...

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Process Development Engineer information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$48.8K

$109.1K

$163.7K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 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?

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 Irvine, CA? For Process Development Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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
Infographic showing various Process Development Engineer job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $109,069 per year, or $52.4 per hour.

Process Development Engineer

Stryker

Irvine, CA • On-site

$102K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Work Flexibility: Onsite
Join a team focused on bringing innovative medical devices from concept into commercial production through strong manufacturing execution and supplier collaboration. In this role, you will work closely with contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop, validate, and industrialize manufacturing processes that support successful product launches. This position offers the opportunity to lead technical activities across the product development lifecycle while driving manufacturing readiness at external production partners.
What You Will Do
  • Lead development of manufacturing processes at external suppliers for new product introduction programs, from concept through commercial launch.
  • Design and execute process characterization studies, Design of Experiments (DOE), and statistical analyses to establish process capability, critical parameters, and operating windows.
  • Develop and coordinate manufacturing industrialization plans, including engineering builds, validation activities, readiness reviews, and commercialization milestones.
  • Drive supplier technical execution by leading technical reviews, monitoring engineering deliverables and schedules, and resolving manufacturing and process-related issues.
  • Create and maintain validation and manufacturing documentation, including IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, validation reports, process flows, equipment specifications, work instructions, and risk assessments.

What You Will Need
Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Minimum 5 years of engineering experience within the medical device industry.
  • Experience developing manufacturing processes for new products.
  • Experience working directly with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.
  • Experience with process characterization, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and manufacturing process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ).

Preferred:
  • Experience supporting catheter-based, minimally invasive, electromechanical, or similar medical device products.
  • Experience with manufacturing technologies such as extrusion, laser processing, thermal bonding, braiding, injection molding, machining, automated assembly, or packaging.
  • Experience with manufacturing industrialization, technology transfer, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, Minitab, or JMP.

United States of America Pay Ranges:
US15: $102,700 - $171,100 USD Annual
Travel Percentage: 20%
Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability.
Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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