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

Strong background in CAD, design analysis, DFMEA, DVP&R, and related processes. * Proven problem ... Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in engineering, product development, quality ...

Process Engineer

Ontario, CA · On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

Provide advanced engineering support in the areas of design, manufacturing process, material characteristics related to the development and manufacture of the product. * Lead process improvement team ...

Strong analytical and documentation skills for recipe development, SOPs, and technical reporting ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

Strong analytical and documentation skills for recipe development, SOPs, and technical reporting ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

Strong analytical and documentation skills for recipe development, SOPs, and technical reporting ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

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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 May 30, 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 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 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 Engineer II

Process Engineer II

Applied Medical

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA • On-site

$71K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Applied Medical rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Applied Medical is a new generation medical device company with a proven business model and commitment to innovation fueled by rapid business growth and expansion. Our company has been developing and manufacturing advanced surgical technologies for over 35 years and has earned a strong reputation for excellence in the healthcare field. Our unique business model, combined with our dedication to delivering the highest quality products, enables team members to contribute in a larger capacity than is possible in typical positions.
Position Description
Collaboration is a fundamental part of our organization's culture and is essential to our continued success. As such, the successful candidate for this position is expected to work on-site, enabling them to engage fully with colleagues and contribute to cross-functional initiatives. Therefore, the ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a positive and supportive team environment is a key requirement for this role.
Areas of Responsibility
As a Process Engineer, you will work within the Group Process Development team and use skills related to sustaining and improving production manufacturing processes as part of a cross-functional team. The Process Engineer's primary responsibilities are debugging, observing, and expediting shop orders. You will assist with developing and updating engineering documents and investigating new tooling, materials, manufacturing processes, and technologies.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operators, a variety of engineers, and quality assurance, to achieve overall business objectives.
  • Project Management: Manage projects related to process improvement, including timelines, budgets, and resources and coordinate effectively with different departments to ensure project success.
  • Problem Solving: You will be responsible for identifying and resolving issues that arise. This will include taking action to solve the problem by generating ideas for the solution, finding out the reasons behind the problem, and implementing the solution.
  • Communication: Strong communication skills are essential for effectively conveying ideas, collaborating on projects, and presenting findings or recommendations.

Position Requirements
  • 3-10 years of relevant Engineering work experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent)
  • Experience with manufacturing equipment and processes
  • Experience with computer-aided design (i.e. SolidWorks), spreadsheets, scheduling programs, and word processing
  • Excellent technical writing
  • Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Working knowledge of a variety of materials and mechanical designs
  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Technical aptitude and detail oriented

Preferred
  • Experience in the medical device industry
  • Understanding of manufacturing and quality standards, including FDA regulations and ISO quality systems
  • Experience with software such as NetWeaver/Product Lifecycle Management
  • Experience with Minitab or other statistical analysis software
  • Leadership or project management experience
  • Excellent organization, communication, and documentation skills

Inside this Business Group
The Group Process Development team is responsible for support of the manufacturing processes for their respective product families. They help with concept development, product testing, prototyping, feasibility testing, and design for manufacturing. They ensure that the manufacturing components and procedures are designed and validated to meet the company's performance, value, quality, and cost requirements. This involves collaborating with other teams including, but not limited to, Quality Systems, Regulatory Affairs, and Clinical Development.
Benefits
  • Competitive compensation range: $71000 - $95000 / year (California).
  • Comprehensive benefits package.
  • Training and mentorship opportunities.
  • On-campus wellness activities.
  • Education reimbursement program.
  • 401(k) program with discretionary employer match.
  • Generous vacation accrual and paid holiday schedule.

Please note that the compensation range may be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, experience. The compensation range may be adjusted in the future, and special discretionary bonus or incentive compensation plans may apply.
Our total reward package reflects our commitment to team member growth and well-being, as we invest in your development and offer a range of benefits designed to enhance your career and life.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Applied Medical is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), or sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws in the locations where Applied Medical operates.

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