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Process Development Scientist Jobs in California

Process development work in the laboratory involving testing equipment, chemical processes, and ... Mentor junior scientists and research associates as needed. * Ensure compliance with all safety ...

Process development work in the laboratory involving testing equipment, chemical processes, and ... Mentor junior scientists and research associates as needed. * Ensure compliance with all safety ...

Sr Scientist, Process Development

Foster City, CA · On-site

$106K - $145K/yr

This role is responsible for the development and optimization of chemical processes for the manufacture of drug substances supporting clinical and commercial programs. The scientist will plan ...

Senior Scientist I, Process Development

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$104K - $142K/yr

The Senior Scientist in LGC Axolabs Process Development will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in scale up/down solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, purification, concentration, conjugation ...

R&D Scientist Overview: We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to join our startup team and help ... assurance processes * Maintain detailed lab records and notebooks * Support patent/invention ...

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Process Development Scientist information

See California salary details

$20

$38

$60

How much do process development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for process development scientist in California is $38.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.98 and $45.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by Process Development Scientists when scaling up from lab experiments to full production?

Process Development Scientists often encounter challenges when transitioning processes from the laboratory to large-scale production. These can include maintaining product quality and consistency, optimizing yields, and ensuring that processes are cost-effective at scale. Addressing equipment differences, process variability, and regulatory compliance are also common hurdles. Collaboration with engineers, manufacturing teams, and quality assurance professionals is essential to successfully navigate these challenges and achieve scalable, robust processes.

What is a Process Development Scientist?

A Process Development Scientist is a professional who designs, develops, and optimizes processes for manufacturing products, typically in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or chemicals. Their work involves scaling up laboratory procedures to full production, improving efficiency, ensuring quality, and meeting regulatory standards. They collaborate with research, engineering, and manufacturing teams to implement new processes or refine existing ones. Process Development Scientists play a critical role in bringing new products from the research phase to commercial production while maintaining safety and compliance.

What does a process development scientist do?

A process development scientist designs, optimizes, and scales up manufacturing processes for products such as pharmaceuticals or chemicals. They analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure processes meet quality and regulatory standards, often using tools like statistical software and laboratory equipment. Their work supports efficient, reliable production and continuous process improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Process Development Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Process Development Scientist, you need a background in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering, supported by at least a bachelor’s (often master’s or PhD) degree and experience in laboratory research. Familiarity with analytical instrumentation (such as HPLC, GC, and mass spectrometry), process modeling software, and relevant regulatory standards is crucial. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help drive innovation and coordinate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the efficient development and scale-up of robust, safe, and cost-effective processes in pharmaceutical, biotech, or chemical manufacturing environments.
What cities in California are hiring for Process Development Scientist jobs? Cities in California with the most Process Development Scientist job openings:
Infographic showing various Process Development Scientist job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,367 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Process Development Principal Scientist

Amgen, Inc.

Thousand Oaks, CA • On-site

$148K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Career Category
Process Development
Job Description
Join Amgen's Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like you're part of something bigger, it's because you are. Our shared mission-to serve patients living with serious illnesses-drives all that we do.
Since 1980, we've helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world's toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas -Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease- we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you'll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.
Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you'll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.
Process Development Principal Scientist
Duties: Lead analytical method development, validation and trouble-shooting for drug substances and drug products and in-process testing for synthetic small molecules and/or synthetic peptide testing and characterization. Define analytical control strategies and implement methodologies for development of late phase clinical programs. Collaborate closely with drug substance and drug product process development colleagues to achieve project objectives. Lead and mentor a group of analysts in supporting process development. Provide career development guidance to the team members. Provide concise summary to cross-functional leadership for endorsement of key decisions. Oversee activities at contract manufacturing and testing sites. Author technical reports and analytical Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) sections in regulatory documents. Address analytical and product quality inquiries from health authorities. Supervises direct reports.
Requirements: PHD degree or (foreign equivalent) in analytical chemistry, chemistry, or related field & 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a process development-related occupation. Position requires 3 years of experience in the following:
1. Mass spectrometry knowledge in mechanism of different ionization techniques, configuration of mass spectrometry platforms by different vendors including Waters, Thermo Fisher, or Agilent, and gas-phase ion chemistry for structural elucidation;
2. Sample preparation including liquid-liquid extraction and solid phase microextraction for qualitative and quantitative analysis of both small molecules and large molecules;
3. Analytical techniques including FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), and UV (ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy);
4. Chromatography and related separation techniques including RP-HPLC (reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography) and GC (gas chromatography);
5. High-throughput analysis in processing multidimensional mass spectrometry-based data and implementing statistical analysis and interpreting statistical results; and
6. Software applications including ChemDraw, Xcalibur, or ChemStation and programming language for data processing including Python or Matlab..
Contact: Interested candidates please apply via https://careers.amgen.com/en/search-jobs and search for job # R-243910
Job type: Full Time position. The annual salary for this position in the U.S. is $148,363.00- $171,657.00 per year. Also, this position offers stock, retirement, medical, life and disability insurance and eligibility for an annual bonus or for sales roles, other incentive compensation. For more details visit https://careers.amgen.com/life-at-amgen/benefits/
What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we'll support your journey every step of the way.
The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:
  • A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
  • A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
  • Stock-based long-term incentives
  • Award-winning time-off plans
  • Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, where possible

Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.
careers.amgen.com
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.
As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.
Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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