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Process Development Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Periodic Labs

Process Development Engineer

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

About the Role As a Process Development Engineer, you will play a crucial role in designing and optimizing the workflows and tools that enable high-efficiency process technologies, primarily for the ...

Teledyne

Process Development Engineer

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

$72K - $96K/yr

... development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical ... Provide process engineering support for thin-film hybrid assembly and MIC processes * Support ...

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Process Development Engineer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$53.7K

$120K

$180.1K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $120,001.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,100.00 and $140,500.00 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 Santa Clara, CA? For Process Development Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
Process Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Process Development Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, 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 $120,001 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Process Development Engineer

Veeco Instruments, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Veeco
You probably don't realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It's a bold statement, but it's true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world's collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us.
We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world's leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world.
We're looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at www.veeco.com/careers.
Overview:
Veeco serves its world-class global customer base through its dedicated sales and service organization strategically located throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. Veeco continues to grow and is looking for a Process Development Engineer for its San Jose, CA location.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead process and application development using Veeco's unique ion beam deposition and etch technologies.
  • Manage the development of advanced thin film processes intersecting with customers' current and future requirements. Own the design of experiments, execution, and data analysis.
  • Develop and maintain best-known methods (BKMs) for process control, process development, and continuous improvement. Drive adoption of BKMs and new applications.
  • Engage with customers as the technical expert, help Marketing and Sales establish strong technical partnerships with key accounts.
  • Work with Sales and Marketing to define process specifications for Veeco tools to meet customer needs.
  • Develop new upgrades and hardware in coordination with Engineering for Veeco's unique deposition and etch technologies.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experience or a Master's degree and 3+ years of experience or a PhD in Physics, Materials Science or a related field is required. Must have process development experience and expertise with vacuum thin film technology. Expertise with thin film characterization techniques such as four-point probe, stress measurements, ellipsometry, absorption/transmission spectroscopy, XRD/XRR, depth profilers, etc., is required. Experience with thin film for metals is highly desired.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Self-directed and possesses excellent interpersonal/communication skills
  • Collaborative attitude and comfortable with change and ambiguity
  • Semiconductor device knowledge and module process, process integration experience in logic and/or memory fabrication
  • Background in metal and semiconductor thin film technologies preferred
  • Must be able to travel up to 25% both domestic and international

Salary and Benefits
The expected salary range for this position is $115,000 - $145,000, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors when determining your pay. If your salary requirements exceed the advertised range and you remain interested in Veeco, we encourage you to apply or email your resume to recruiting@veeco.com.
Other benefits include:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Life and Accident Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Identity Theft Remediation
  • Emergency Travel Assistance

Veeco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. Veeco is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
Notice to Applicants:
All communication about open positions and hiring will come from someone with a @veeco.com email address. You will always have multiple interviews and meet several team members (in-person or virtually) before we present an offer. We may also check references or conduct a background investigation as part of the offer process. We will never ask you for money for any reason, especially to send equipment or for pre-employment training. If you have any questions or concerns, or if someone has reached out to you and you think it might be a scam, please get in touch with us at recruiting@veeco.com.

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