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Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in California

Staff Manufacturing Process Engineer

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$86K - $115K/yr

Proactive Collaboration Job Overview We are seeking a highly capable Senior/Staff Manufacturing Process Engineer with a strong foundation in manufacturing process planning, industrial engineering ...

Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$87K - $116K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description Position Summary The Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes for complex, close ...

Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$86K - $114K/yr

A Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes and instructions, to ensure manufactures products the meet the customer specifications and ...

Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$78K - $104K/yr

... the entire manufacturing process using lean principles (Define Value, Value Stream Mapping, Creating Flow, Establish Pull, ect). * Knowledge in both Operations and Manufacturing Engineering ...

The process engineering team collaborates with Design, MFG Project Engineering, Program Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Planning and other cross-functional team members. Nature of Duties ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$74K

$119.5K

$168.3K

How much do senior manufacturing process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior manufacturing process engineer in California is $119,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,600.00 and $132,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior manufacturing process engineer do?

A Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and improving manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, quality, and safety in production environments. They lead projects to implement new technologies, troubleshoot process issues, and optimize workflows. They also work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that products meet industry standards and regulatory requirements. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers and support continuous improvement initiatives within the organization.

What are the main challenges a senior manufacturing process engineer faces when implementing process improvements?

One of the primary challenges Senior Manufacturing Process Engineers encounter is balancing the need for process innovation with maintaining production efficiency and product quality. Implementing new technologies or methodologies often requires extensive cross-functional collaboration, training, and sometimes overcoming resistance to change from team members. Additionally, ensuring that process improvements comply with industry regulations and safety standards can add complexity. However, these challenges provide valuable opportunities to develop leadership skills and drive significant impact within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior manufacturing process engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, process optimization, and manufacturing systems, typically with a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD/CAM software, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and statistical process control tools is highly valued, along with certifications such as Six Sigma Green or Black Belt. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for driving process improvements and collaborating across teams. These skills ensure efficient production, high product quality, and continuous operational enhancements in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What is the difference between Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectSenior Manufacturing Process EngineerManufacturing Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, 5+ years experience, possibly certifications like Six SigmaBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentOversees process improvements, leads projects, collaborates with cross-functional teamsSupports manufacturing operations, implements process changes, troubleshoots production issues
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing plants, automotive, aerospace, electronics industriesCommon in similar industries, entry to mid-level roles in manufacturing

The main difference is that a Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer typically has more experience, takes on leadership roles, and oversees complex process improvements, while a Manufacturing Engineer focuses on supporting and implementing manufacturing processes at a more operational level.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in California?

For Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $119,530 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Staff Manufacturing Process Engineer

Menlo Park, CA

Mainspring Energy
Clean Energy Power Generation • 201 - 500 employees

$137K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

About Mainspring

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:

  • Pragmatic Optimism
  • Excellence without Ego
  • Proactive Collaboration
Job Overview

We are seeking a highly capable Senior/Staff Manufacturing Process Engineer with a strong foundation in manufacturing process planning, industrial engineering, and data-driven problem-solving to bridge the gap between product development and scalable manufacturing.


In this role, you will partner closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to develop robust, scalable manufacturing processes that enable safe, repeatable, and high-volume production. You will drive end-to-end process planning, PFMEA workshops, risk mitigation strategies, process validation, and quality planning to ensure new products launch successfully and existing products continuously improve.


This is not a downstream execution role. You will proactively influence product and process decisions by leveraging shop floor data, structured experimentation, and lessons learned from production to eliminate manufacturing risks before they impact volume production.


The ideal candidate combines strong process engineering fundamentals, lean manufacturing principles, and hands-on manufacturing experience, and thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where continuous improvement is part of the daily culture.

What You'll Do

Manufacturing Process Development

  • Develop, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes from early prototype builds through high-volume production

  • Lead manufacturing process validation activities using PFMEA, DOE, capability studies (Cpk), and GR&R

  • Drive cross-functional, closed-loop risk mitigation plans by partnering with Design Engineering, Quality, and Operations

  • Establish manufacturing readiness plans, process validation strategies, and quality gates for new product introductions

Manufacturing Optimization & Operational Excellence

  • Partner with Industrial Engineering to evaluate cycle times, line balancing, and resource utilization using Yamazumi charts and time studies

  • Drive touch-time reduction initiatives through process optimization, improved assembly sequencing, ergonomic improvements, fastening strategies, automation opportunities and subsystem testing

  • Lead structured root cause investigations using 8D, 5 Whys, DOE, and statistical analysis to improve first-pass yield and process capability

  • Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks to improve throughput, labor productivity, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)

  • Champion Lean Manufacturing, error-proofing (Poka-Yoke), standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives across production

Manufacturing Scale-Up

  • Own the transition of assembly processes from prototype builds to scalable production systems

  • Partner with Quality, Supply Chain, Operations, and NPI teams to successfully launch new manufacturing processes

  • Support factory layout development, production line design, capacity planning, and equipment selection

  • Support new factory launches, manufacturing transfers, and production ramp activities across domestic and international sites

What You'll Bring
  • 7–10+ years (Senior) or 10–15+ years (Staff) of manufacturing/process engineering experience supporting complex electromechanical products

  • Expertise in PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, DOE, SPC, 8D, Cpk, and GR&R

  • Experience developing scalable manufacturing processes and supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) from prototype through high-volume production

  • Experience developing assembly equipment, fixtures, gauges, and automation systems

  • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, line balancing, Yamazumi charts, time studies, and capacity modeling

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and influence engineering decisions through data

  • Experience working in fast-paced NPI environments with evolving designs and manufacturing challenges

  • Experience in automotive, aerospace, energy, or other high-volume electromechanical manufacturing environments

What Sets You Apart
  • Hands-on mindset—you enjoy working on the production floor to validate ideas, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements

  • Comfortable making technical decisions in ambiguous situations while balancing quality, cost, schedule, and manufacturability

  • Passion for Lean Manufacturing with a bias toward simple, robust, and cost-effective solutions over unnecessary complexity

  • Strong systems thinking with the ability to connect product design, manufacturing processes, quality, and operational performance

This position is onsite at our Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre-IPO stock options + benefits.

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.