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Sr Product Development Engineer Jobs in California

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Sr Product Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$73.5K

$117.3K

$201.8K

How much do sr product development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr product development engineer in California is $117,326.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,800.00 and $116,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Sr Product Development Engineer vs Product Development Engineer?

AspectSr Product Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, relevant experienceBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, R&D departments, cross-functional collaborationDesign, testing, and development teams, project-focused
Employer & Industry UsageTech, manufacturing, automotive, consumer electronicsSimilar industries, often entry to mid-level roles
Common Search & ComparisonHigher responsibility, leadership in projectsEntry to mid-level development tasks

The main difference between a Sr Product Development Engineer and a Product Development Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. The senior role typically involves leading projects, making strategic decisions, and mentoring junior staff, while the product development engineer focuses on executing design and development tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in comparable environments within tech, manufacturing, or electronics industries.

What are typical challenges faced by a Sr Product Development Engineer during the product lifecycle, and how can they be addressed?

Sr Product Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative design with manufacturability, coordinating cross-functional teams, and managing tight project timelines. Successfully navigating these challenges involves strong project management skills, effective communication with design, manufacturing, and quality teams, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks early in the development process. Regular design reviews, clear documentation, and leveraging feedback from multiple stakeholders are key practices that help address these issues and ensure successful product launches.

What does a Sr Product Development Engineer do?

A Sr Product Development Engineer leads the design, development, and improvement of new products from concept to launch. They collaborate with cross-functional teams such as marketing, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure products meet customer needs, technical requirements, and regulatory standards. Their role often includes project management, problem-solving, prototyping, and overseeing testing and validation processes. They also mentor junior engineers and help drive innovation within the company.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Product Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sr Product Development Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, product lifecycle management, and relevant industry experience, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools, and knowledge of industry standards or certifications such as Six Sigma are commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills help drive project success and innovation. These competencies ensure efficient product development, high-quality outputs, and alignment with business objectives.
What job categories do people searching Sr Product Development Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Product Development Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Sr Product Development Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sr Product Development Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Sr Product Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,326 per year, or $56.4 per hour.

Senior Product Development Engineer

Abbott

Santa Clara, CA

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Abbott rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

179th of 537 rated manufacturers


Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll also have access to:

  • Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
  • Employees can qualify forfree medical coverage in ourHealth Investment Plan (HIP) PPOmedical plan in the next calendar year.
  • An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
  • Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor's degree.
  • A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
  • A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Product Development Engineer, you will be part of the Abbott R&D team supporting the development, verification, and continuous improvement of innovative medical device systems. The primary focus of this role will be leading design verification activities, developing robust test methods, authoring protocols and reports, investigating product performance issues, and driving engineering solutions through design changes and corrective actions.

As product development programs advance, this individual will also contribute to new product design, prototype development, subsystem ownership, and design transfer activities. The ideal candidate combines strong design verification expertise with solid mechanical engineering fundamentals and hands-on product development experience.

This is a senior individual contributor role requiring technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, strong written communication skills, and the ability to independently drive complex engineering deliverables in a fast-paced product development environment.

This is a full-time onsite positionbased inSanta Clara, CA, requiring onsite presence five days per week.

What You'll Work On

  • Lead design verification activities for medical device systems and subsystems, including development of protocols, test methods, and fixtures; test execution, statistical data analysis, and report authorship.
  • Lead failure investigations, root cause analyses, and implementation of design improvements and corrective actions.
  • Design mechanical components, assemblies, fixtures, prototypes, and test hardware using SolidWorks, and develop associated engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
  • Support product development through concept evaluation, prototyping, testing and design refinement.
  • Apply engineering analysis, risk management principles, GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and sound engineering judgment to drive technical decisions.
  • Support supplier development, component qualification, manufacturing readiness, and design transfer activities.
  • Communicate technical findings through reports, presentations, and design reviews, while providing technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers.
  • Maintain compliance with Abbott procedures and documentation requirements, FDA regulations, ISO standards, and applicable quality system requirements.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 5+ years of engineering experience in medical device product development or a regulated product development environment.
  • Demonstrated experience leading significant design verification and product development activities.
  • Experience conducting failure investigations and applying structured root cause analysis techniques.
  • Proficiency with SolidWorks and experience creating CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and product documentation.
  • Working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack analysis.
  • Strong technical writing, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience defining product specifications, engineering requirements, and design inputs.
  • Ability to independently lead complex technical projects while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with catheter-based, minimally invasive, implantable, or disposable medical devices.
  • Experience developing products through all phases of the product lifecycle from concept through commercialization.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing, design transfer, supplier qualification, and component validation activities.
  • Experience with metals, plastics, elastomers, adhesives, and associated manufacturing processes including molding, machining, and extrusions.
  • Experience with statistical analysis and test data evaluation.
  • Familiarity with FDA Quality System Regulations (21 CFR Part 820), ISO 13485, and applicable medical device design controls.
  • Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership.

Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

The base pay for this position is

$90,000.00 - $180,000.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:Product DevelopmentDIVISION:SH Structural HeartLOCATION:United States > Santa Clara : Building A - SCADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:WORK SHIFT:StandardTRAVEL:Yes, 10 % of the TimeMEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:NoSIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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