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Senior Process Development Engineer Jobs in California

As part of process development, hands-on wafer fabrication and characterization of pilot lots is required. This is the right place for a self-directed, goal-oriented, collaborative engineer. The work ...

Process Development Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$102K - $171K/yr

Lead development of manufacturing processes at external suppliers for new product introduction ... Develop and coordinate manufacturing industrialization plans, including engineering builds ...

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

Principal Process Development Engineer Full Time Murrieta, Murrieta, CA, US 3 days ago Requisition ID: 1089 Salary Range: $100,650.00 To $178,200.00 Annually Join Attalon's Aerospace & Defense team ...

Senior Process Engineer

Carlsbad, CA

$106K - $138K/yr

You will lead process development for flip chip assembly and thermo-compression bonding, support 2 ... first Senior Process Engineer focused on advanced packaging initiatives and to shape process ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Process Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$74K

$119.5K

$168.3K

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

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior process development 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 process development engineer do?

A Senior Process Development Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. They often lead teams in scaling up processes from the laboratory to full production, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement new technologies or methods. Additionally, they collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality assurance, and production, to ensure processes meet regulatory and safety standards. Their expertise helps companies maintain competitive advantages and meet production goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior process development engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Process Development Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or mechanical engineering, process optimization, and project management, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, process simulation tools (such as Aspen Plus or MATLAB), and Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certifications is often required. Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you coordinate cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement. These skills are crucial for developing efficient, scalable processes that meet quality standards and business goals.

What are some common challenges a senior process development engineer may face when scaling up a new process from the lab to full production?

Senior Process Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining product quality and consistency when transitioning from small-scale laboratory experiments to large-scale manufacturing. This process typically involves troubleshooting equipment limitations, optimizing process parameters, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance, is crucial to address these challenges and achieve a smooth scale-up. Adaptability and problem-solving skills are essential to navigate unexpected issues that may arise during this transition.

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

AspectSenior Process Development EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; experience in process developmentBachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentResearch and development labs, manufacturing facilities, cross-functional teamsManufacturing plants, production lines, process optimization teams
Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, chemicals, biotech, manufacturingManufacturing, chemical processing, consumer goods

The main difference is that Senior Process Development Engineers focus on developing and optimizing new processes, often in R&D settings, while Process Engineers typically oversee existing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and quality. Senior roles involve more strategic planning and innovation, whereas Process Engineers focus on day-to-day process operations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Senior Process Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,530 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Process Development Engineer

Teledyne

Goleta, CA

$90K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Teledyne Technologies rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 157 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Be visionary

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets that require advanced technology and high reliability. These markets include aerospace and defense, factory automation, air and water quality environmental monitoring, electronics design and development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical imaging and pharmaceutical research.

We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins.

Job Description

Job Summary:

As part of the uncooled detector (focal plane array) research and development team, the successful candidate will have responsibility for engineering wafer fab processes including plasma etch, thin film deposition using sputtering PVD and PECVD, and/or others for next generation infrared detector designs. Candidate will design and implement new processes and automate or improve existing ones to support aggressive technology development goals. As part of process development, hands-on wafer fabrication and characterization of pilot lots is required. This is the right place for a self-directed, goal-oriented, collaborative engineer. The work is varied and challenging where creative problem solving opportunities are many. Our culture is collaborative, supportive, and fun. The work environment is mixed general office and clean room/lab.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Innovate new processes to enable the technology roadmap
  • Design and execute experiments, analyze data, draw conclusions, document, and communicate results
  • Establish feasibility of new processes with hands-on processing of pilot lots on production equipment
  • Characterize results using quantitative metrology tools
  • Automate or improve established processes
  • Transition knowledge to sustainment engineers or technicians
  • Specify, procure, and qualify new equipment as required to support development
  • Work with tool design engineering to make fixtures or make tool modifications
  • Document methods and workflows in MES-ready format
  • Plan for statistical process control (SPC) practices as appropriate
  • Evaluate production yield challenges and recommend improvements
  • Collaborate with device physicists, research technicians, and test engineers to participate in overall product R&D cycle

Job Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related technical discipline required
  • 2+ years of related experience desired
  • Proficient computer skills - Word, Excel & Outlook
  • Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English
  • Strong data analysis skills (fluency in Excel, MatLAB JMP, Python, SQL, or equivalent a plus)
  • Experience with AMAT tools is desired: Centura, Endura
  • Ability to use inspection equipment (microscopes, FIB/SEM, interferometers), semiconductor fabrication equipment, and wet bench chemistry
  • Direct experience with one or more key wafer fabrication processes
  • Familiarity and/or strong desire to learn microelectronic/semiconductor and MEMS fabrication techniques
  • Applicants must be a U.S Citizen

Desired Background

Plasma tools for semiconductor or MEMS fabrication

Infrared detector technology

Statistical Process Control and Design of Experiments familiarity desired

Lean Six Sigma or other problem solving/decision making methods (8D, Kepner-Tregoe, or equivalent)

Salary Range:

$90,800.00-$121,100.000

The anticipated salary range listed for this role is only an estimate. Actual compensation for successful candidates is carefully determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, location, local regulations (such as minimum wage), education/training, work experience, key skills, and type of position.

Teledyne and all of our employees are committed to conducting business with the highest ethical standards. We require all employees to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and regulatory orders. Our reputation for honesty, integrity and high ethics is as important to us as our reputation for making innovative sensing solutions.

Teledyne 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, disability or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic or non-merit based factor made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.


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