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Process Development Engineer Jobs in Somerville, MA

Design and execute process development studies to develop a thorough understanding of operating and process performance parameters * Perform hands-on activities that support process engineering from ...

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Process Development Engineer information

See Somerville, MA salary details

$49.7K

$110.9K

$166.4K

How much do process development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for process development engineer in Somerville, MA is $110,888.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,800.00 and $129,900.00 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 Somerville, MA? For Process Development Engineer jobs in Somerville, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Process Development Engineer jobs in Somerville, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Process Development Engineer jobs in Somerville, MA are:
What cities near Somerville, MA are hiring for Process Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Somerville, MA with the most Process Development Engineer job openings:
2.4. Chemical Development Engineer II

2.4. Chemical Development Engineer II

Phoenix Tailings

Burlington, MA โ€ข On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 16 hours ago


Job description

About Phoenix Tailings:
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy. We are seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the design, development, and optimization of innovative critical metals production systems.
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Why Phoenix Tailings:
At Phoenix, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
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Our Values:
You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong
Lead with Compassion
Be Resourceful
Listen
Hustle
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Who We Are Looking For:
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Development Engineer II to help scale and refine our rare earth element (REE) extraction and metallization technologies. This role is core to accelerating our R&D and deployment of clean, economically viable processes that enable sustainable access to critical materials. As a key member of the technical development team, you'll have the opportunity to directly shape the future of critical metals infrastructure in the U.S. through deep technical experimentation and innovation.ย 
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This pay range reflects the expected compensation for this role and may vary based on experience and qualifications.
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Salary Range: $90,000- $130,000/year
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments across the rare earth extraction and metallization process flowsheetย 
  • Build and validate process models including comprehensive mass and energy balancesย 
  • Optimize chloride leaching, dissolution, and filtration operations to improve efficiency and product qualityย 
  • Support the development of advanced separation techniques for REE purification and concentrationย 
  • Develop robust precipitation processes for conversion of rare earth chlorides into high-purity oxidesย 
  • Contribute to early-stage metallization process R&D for converting oxides into individual rare earth metalsย 
  • Analyze experimental data and use findings to drive iterative improvements to the processย 
  • Specify and evaluate equipment required for pilot and commercial-scale implementationย 
  • Document all research procedures, findings, and recommendations with technical precisionย 
  • Ensure all experiments and development efforts align with EH&S and sustainability standardsย 
Qualifications:
  • B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related disciplineย 
  • 3-6 years of hands-on experience in process development, hydrometallurgy, or chemical processingย 
  • Proficiency in designing experiments and interpreting data to solve complex technical challengesย 
  • Demonstrated expertise in solid-liquid separation, precipitation, and chemical extraction techniquesย 
  • Strong foundation in process engineering including mass and energy balance modelingย 
  • Experience with laboratory instrumentation and analytical tools (e.g., ICP-OES, XRD, SEM)ย 
  • Clear, structured technical writing skills for documentation and reportingย 
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative R&D environmentย 
  • Familiarity with rare earth chemistry and metallurgical challenges preferredย 
  • Experience with process simulation tools (e.g., HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus) is a plusย 
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total packageย  may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $90,000- $130,000 total cash compensation plus equity
  • Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee
  • Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.ย 
  • Time Off: Unlimited PTO.ย 
  • Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.ย 
We offer a competitive compensation package based on expertise, including healthcare coverage (100% medical, dental, and vision), stock ownership, parental leave, flexible vacation policy, learning and development opportunities, and a great team culture that values making a difference and encourages results-focused work. At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning and growth, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
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Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics. These characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions, including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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