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Process Engineer Cell Therapy Jobs in California

Process Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$72K - $85K/yr

We are seeking a Junior Process Engineer to join our battery process technology team ... This role supports the development, optimization, and stabilization of electrode, cell assembly ...

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Process Engineer Cell Therapy information

What does a process engineer in cell therapy do?

A Process Engineer in Cell Therapy is responsible for developing, optimizing, and overseeing the manufacturing processes used to produce cell-based therapies. They ensure that processes are efficient, scalable, and compliant with regulatory standards, while maintaining the quality and safety of the final product. Their work often involves collaborating with scientists, quality teams, and production staff to troubleshoot issues and implement improvements. Process Engineers in this field play a crucial role in bringing innovative cell therapies from the laboratory to clinical and commercial production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a process engineer in cell therapy?

To thrive as a Process Engineer in Cell Therapy, you need a strong background in chemical or biomedical engineering, experience with cell culture processes, and often a relevant degree. Familiarity with GMP regulations, bioprocessing equipment, and quality control systems is typically required, along with experience using tools like bioreactors and analytical software. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you collaborate effectively and drive process improvements. These skills ensure the development and optimization of safe, scalable, and compliant cell therapy manufacturing processes.

What is the difference between Process Engineer Cell Therapy vs Process Engineer Bioprocess?

AspectProcess Engineer Cell TherapyProcess Engineer Bioprocess
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's/Master's in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentCell therapy manufacturing facilities, GMP labsBiopharmaceutical production plants, GMP facilities
Industry UsageCell therapy companies, biotech firmsBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Process Engineer Cell Therapy and Process Engineer Bioprocess roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, often within GMP manufacturing settings. The main difference lies in their focus: cell therapy engineers specialize in developing and scaling processes for cellular treatments, while bioprocess engineers work on broader biopharmaceutical production. Both roles are essential in biotech industries and often overlap in skills and certifications.

What are some typical challenges faced by process engineers in cell therapy manufacturing, and how are they addressed?

Process Engineers in Cell Therapy often encounter challenges such as scaling up production from clinical to commercial scale while maintaining stringent quality standards and regulatory compliance. Managing variability in biological materials and ensuring consistency across batches is another common hurdle. These challenges are typically addressed through robust process development, close collaboration with quality and manufacturing teams, and implementation of automation and data-driven process controls. Continuous training and adaptation to evolving regulatory guidelines also play a key role in overcoming these obstacles.
What are popular job titles related to Process Engineer Cell Therapy jobs in California? For Process Engineer Cell Therapy jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities in California are hiring for Process Engineer Cell Therapy jobs? Cities in California with the most Process Engineer Cell Therapy job openings:
Infographic showing various Process Engineer Cell Therapy job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Associate Scientist, Analytical Sciences

AstraZeneca

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$69K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


AstraZeneca rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Are you ready to turn rigorous immunoassay and cell-based data into decisions that shape the future of engineered cell therapy? Do you want to build scalable testing capabilities that help characterize products and move life-changing medicines forward faster?
Based in Santa Monica, CA, you will join a collaborative analytical operations team focused on delivering high-quality, decision-ready data for process and product characterization. Working closely with Analytical Development, Process Development, and Quality Control, you will optimize and run immunoassay and cell-based potency assays that directly influence how we develop, scale, and release next-generation cell therapies. Your work will help transform complex biology into clear evidence that advances our pipeline and ultimately benefits patients.
Accountabilities:
  • Operational Excellence: Lead the setup, execution, and continuous improvement of immunoassay and cell-based testing operations, ensuring reliable turnaround times and consistent data quality.
  • Assay Development and Optimization: Partner with method and automation developers to refine assays, increase throughput, and streamline documentation and analysis, enabling faster and more reproducible results.
  • Reagent and Control Stewardship: Manage critical reagents, assay control materials, and consumables to maintain uninterrupted testing capacity and robust assay performance.
  • Cell Culture and Assay Execution: Thaw, culture, expand, and cryopreserve suspension/adherent cell lines; perform cytotoxicity and cytokine release assays using cell imagers, cell counters, and immunoassay kits to evaluate potency and immune effector function.
  • Engineered Cell Coordination: Coordinate and prepare engineered immune cells for co-culture and functional assays, ensuring readiness and alignment with study timelines.
  • Method Transfer and Scale-Up: Lead transfer of immunoassays and cell-based methods into operations by assessing incoming test methods and reagents, planning training, and securing readiness for routine use.
  • Data Integrity and Trending: Maintain complete records for executed methods and results; monitor assay trends, identify shifts, and collaborate with developers to troubleshoot and sustain assay robustness.
  • Cross-Functional Impact: Translate analytical outcomes into clear insights for development teams, accelerating process understanding and product characterization.
  • Mentorship and Instrument Ownership: Provide technical mentorship to uphold scientific rigor; maintain instruments through calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting to maximize uptime and data integrity.

Essential Skills/Experience:
  • Two (2) years with BS/BA, or one (1) year with MS/MA in Immunology, Cell Biology, Oncology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline with experience in a biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, or academic setting.
  • Strong expertise in cell-based assays, especially those evaluating potency or immune effector function using cell imagers and immunoassays.
  • Hands-on experience with media preparations and suspension/adherent culture work: thaw, culture, expand, and cryopreserve.
  • Proficiency in immune cell culture, including primary T cells or engineered immune cells.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and troubleshooting of cell-based analytical assays.
  • Proficient knowledge of general cell therapy processes and understanding of sampling and testing points for characterization to support process development.
  • Ability to clearly convey scientific findings and development rationale.
  • Desirable Skills/Experience:
  • Experience in flow cytometry or genomic assays.
  • Familiarity with high-throughput assay workflows and collaboration with automation teams.
  • Experience with electronic data capture, data visualization, and assay trending tools.

Why AstraZeneca:
Here your curiosity and drive will meet a pipeline where science and technology converge to tackle complex disease. You will work with unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking-integrating insights from development, analytics, and automation to push the boundaries of engineered cell therapy. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing high standards with a culture that supports learning, resilience, and shared success. As you help build capabilities that have never been done before, you will grow your expertise, see your work influence real program decisions, and have opportunities to publish when great science comes alive.
Call to Action:
Step into this Santa Monica-based role to build a high-performing assay engine for engineered cell therapies-send your resume today and help turn rigorous data into medicines that change lives!
The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $69,344.80 - $104,017.20 USD Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
07-Aug-2026
Closing Date
13-Aug-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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