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Senior Process Development Engineer Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build ...

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 ...

The Process Development Engineer - InP Wafer Fab position is responsible for development, optimization, and manufacturing support of deposition and etch process modules used in the fabrication of ...

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 ...

Deposition and Etch Process Development & Ownership (35%): * Develop, qualify, and maintain PECVD ... Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering ...

Senior Process Engineer

Corona, CA · On-site

$107K - $138K/yr

Senior Process Engineer My client, a leader in medical-grade extrusion manufacturing, is hiring a Senior Process Engineer to sharpen the processes behind life-critical products. You'll turn ...

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Senior Process Development Engineer information

See Santa Ana, CA salary details

$78K

$126K

$177.4K

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

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior process development engineer in Santa Ana, CA is $126,031.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,200.00 and $140,000.00 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 Santa Ana, CA?

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

What job categories do people searching Senior Process Development Engineer jobs in Santa Ana, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Process Development Engineer jobs in Santa Ana, CA are:

What cities near Santa Ana, CA are hiring for Senior Process Development Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Ana, CA with the most Senior Process Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Process Development Engineer job openings in Santa Ana, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,031 per year, or $60.6 per hour.

Process Development Engineer

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER - BUILD RELIABILITY

The Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing and improving business processes and systems that enable SpaceX to design, build, launch, and reuse the most advanced rockets in the world. This engineer seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and constantly questions the status quo while improving data integrity and product reliability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes and policies needed for nonconforming hardware management, configuration management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, rocket reusability and maintenance, and other critical business/production systems.
  • Develop business use cases and software requirements for improvements to our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
  • Execute software tasks, potentially including writing scripts, front and back end development, and relational database querying.
  • Own ongoing support and improvement of developed software including technical debt, operational improvement, and new business process or logic implementation.
  • Create AI prompts, workflows, and/or agents that execute or supplement our internal processes and applications
  • Act as subject matter expert in multiple SpaceX processes and systems, enabling complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
  • Develop standardized metrics for the Production and Quality organizations.
  • Develop, review, and approve procedures ensuring completeness, accuracy, regulatory and customer compliance, and quality objectives.
  • Develop and execute training and communication plans during major process changes
  • Collaborate across disciplines including Engineering, Production, Test, Launch, Mission Operations, ERP, Supply Chain, Mission Management, Customer Contracts, and Management to ensure efficiency and consistency across the organization.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field
  • 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience in a Quality Engineering or Industrial Engineering role
  • Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
  • Knowledge of lean and quality tools such as Process Mapping, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem solving approaches
  • Knowledge of Statistical Analysis Tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Regression Analysis, and Minitab (or similar)
  • Project Management experience, particularly related to creating or overhauling cross-functional business processes in a manufacturing environment.
  • Knowledge of database structures and SQL
  • Experience with VBA, Python, .NET, Flask, Javascript, C#, RESTful API development
  • Experience with machine learning and other technical data science topics
  • Experience with version control, testing, build, and deployment of software systems
  • Experience building AI prompts/agents/workflows and using AI code assistants
  • Experience with AS 9100, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485, or similar Quality Management System
  • Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Must be willing to travel - up to 10%

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:   

Pay range:    
Process Development Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Process Development Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.


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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US