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Upstream Process Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA

$117K - $152K/yr

Lead the GMP implementation of internal platform processes for cell and gene therapy modalities, including upstream and downstream unit operations. * Collaborate closely with Process Development to ...

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Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Lead the GMP implementation of internal platform processes for cell and gene therapy modalities, including upstream and downstream unit operations. * Collaborate closely with Process Development to ...

Senior Process Engineer, MSAT

Alameda, CA

$117K - $152K/yr

Lead the GMP implementation of internal platform processes for cell and gene therapy modalities, including upstream and downstream unit operations. * Collaborate closely with Process Development to ...

... scale upstream and downstream production equipment and instrumentation to ensure reliable ... Leveraging strong process mapping and analytical skills, this role leads the development and ...

... upstream and downstream production equipment and instrumentation to ensure reliable, continuous ... Leveraging strong process mapping and analytical skills, this role leads the development and ...

Packaging and Assembly lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Lead process integration check to ensure the upstream process will not affect the downstream ... development and yield improvement is important. * Experience with FMEA, failure analysis, and 8D ...

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Showing results 1-20

Upstream Process Development information

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of Upstream Process Development, senior roles such as Director or Vice President can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills in biopharmaceutical or biotech industries. High compensation is often associated with managerial responsibilities, strategic decision-making, and overseeing large teams or projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Upstream Process Development, and why are they important?

Success in Upstream Process Development requires a strong background in biology, biochemistry, or chemical engineering, often with an advanced degree and experience in cell culture or fermentation techniques. Familiarity with bioreactors, process control systems, and analytical instrumentation, as well as knowledge of cGMP regulations, is essential. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills for optimizing processes and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure efficient development of scalable production processes, maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance.

What are common upstream jobs?

Common upstream process development jobs include roles such as upstream process scientist, bioprocess engineer, and fermentation scientist. These positions focus on developing and optimizing the early stages of biopharmaceutical production, often requiring knowledge of cell culture, bioreactor operation, and process scale-up. Skills in laboratory techniques, process analytical technology, and regulatory compliance are also important in these roles.

What biology jobs pay over $100k?

In upstream process development, senior roles such as Process Development Managers, Principal Scientists, and Regulatory Affairs Directors often have salaries exceeding $100,000. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive industry experience, and expertise in bioprocessing, quality control, or regulatory compliance.

What is the difference between Upstream Process Development vs Downstream Process Development?

AspectUpstream Process DevelopmentDownstream Process Development
FocusDevelopment of cell culture, fermentation, and bioreactor processesPurification, filtration, and formulation of bioproducts
Skills & CredentialsBioprocess engineering, molecular biology, biochemistryBioprocessing, chromatography, analytical chemistry
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, bioreactors, pilot plantsPurification facilities, labs, quality control
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturingBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing

Upstream Process Development focuses on creating and optimizing cell culture and fermentation processes to produce bioproducts. In contrast, Downstream Process Development involves purifying and finishing these products. Both roles are essential in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and require similar scientific backgrounds, but they specialize in different stages of bioprocessing.

What is upstream process development?

Upstream process development involves designing and optimizing the initial stages of biopharmaceutical production, such as cell culture and fermentation, to produce target biological products. It requires knowledge of bioprocessing, cell biology, and often involves working with bioreactors and process control systems to ensure consistent, high-quality output.

What are some common challenges faced in upstream process development and how do teams typically address them?

One of the main challenges in upstream process development is optimizing cell culture conditions to consistently achieve high yields and product quality. Teams often encounter variability in biological systems and must troubleshoot issues such as contamination, scale-up inconsistencies, or nutrient limitations. Collaboration with analytical, downstream, and quality teams is essential to identify root causes and implement solutions. Regular data review meetings, cross-functional problem-solving, and continuous process improvement are standard practices to ensure robust upstream processes.
What cities in California are hiring for Upstream Process Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Upstream Process Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Upstream Process Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
R&D Process Engineer - Metrology

R&D Process Engineer - Metrology

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

Santa Rosa, CA

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Keysight Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 141 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Overview

The High Frequency Technology Center (HFTC) is seeking an R&D Process Engineer to develop, maintain and optimize manufacturing processes to fabricate passive interposer substrates for Keysight’s Heterogeneous Integration technology. This position is onsite at Keysight Headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. Live in beautiful Sonoma County amongst vineyards, redwood forests, rivers, lakes and coastline while working on state-of-the-art advanced packaging technologies.

The Process Engineer will own process development and process control to meet quality and production metrics. Responsibilities include a combination of R&D and manufacturing in partnership with Design, Integration, Test, Operations, Maintenance, Product and Failure Analysis teams. The Process Engineer is accountable for yield, cycle time, throughput, and quality of their process. This role involves technical depth in semiconductor processing, strong hands-on aptitude, as well as effective communication and teamwork to meet department-level objectives.


Responsibilities

Process Development Engineers at HFTC are responsible for process development and sustaining of custom, cutting-edge, micro and nano-fabrication technologies.

The focus of this position is process development, manufacturing sustainability, and R&D support for new product introductions, with specialization in wafer fab processes.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Ownership of metrology tools for wafer fabrication and/or advanced packaging. Examples: ellipsometry, CDSEM, overlay, profilometry, X-ray fluorescence, particle inspection, automatic optical inspection, and four-point probing
  • Own metrology strategy and performance by developing recipes, sampling plans, and SPC methodologies to ensure precise, accurate, and highthroughput measurements.
  • Drive process control and stability through SPC charting, daily reviews, rootcause analysis, and corrective actions using statistical tools (e.g., JMP).
  • Working closely with other process, integration, product, and circuit design engineers to define process and performance targets.
  • Defining process flows, develop new processes and drive continuous process improvement (CPI) efforts to maximize product yield.
  • Report process metrics, root cause investigations, and process change implementations at the department level.
  • Ensuring successful process hand off to manufacturing partners.
  • Working with Operations to implement robust process control and support production processes; diagnose and resolve process problems with urgency.
  • Leading capital equipment acquisition projects that include tool evaluation, characterization, process development, and qualification.
  • Enable advanced data and tool capabilities by supporting tool qualification/matching, automation, robust data pipelines, and realtime process visibility.
  • Broader experience in upstream and downstream processes and ability to understand process interactions.

Qualifications
  • Knowledge of metrology platforms such as CDSEM, AFM, ellipsometry, scatterometry, or filmthickness tools, as well as 3D profile measurements and automatic optical inspection.
  • Understanding of measurement precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and gaugecapability principles
  • Experience developing sampling strategies and optimizing measurement recipes
  • Strong problemsolving skills for measurement anomalies and tooldrift issues
  • Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE) is required.
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • 5+ years of professional, hands-on experience with development and/or maintaining semiconductor processes and equipment. Recent graduates with extensive cleanroom and experimental background will also be considered.
  • Candidates must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional interactions. 
  • Strong accountability, self-initiative and proactive attitude are required for success.

Candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA 

This position requires access to certain goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. persons (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees) working for Keysight can access export-controlled items without authorization from the U.S. government. For any individual who is not a U.S. person, Keysight may need authorization from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, or other appropriate federal agency before the individual can access export-controlled items. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual, having authorization from the U.S. government for export-controlled items under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).  

About Keysight 

Keysight is on the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our powerful, award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. Diversity, equity & inclusion are integral parts of our culture and drivers of innovation at Keysight. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

This position is at our Headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. At the center of beautiful Sonoma County, just an hour north of San Francisco, you will live close to vineyards, redwood forests, regional and state parks, and a vibrant culinary scene, while developing state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing technologies at our worldclass IC and Heterogeneous Integration fabs.

HFTC is part of Keysight Labs, the core R&D organization that enables Centers of Excellence and other business groups to provide RF, microwave, mmWave, 5G and 6G solutions to customers in various industries, including communications, aerospace & defense, automotive & energy, general electronics, manufacturing, AI, and semiconductor industries. HFTC technologies include InP and GaAs-based HBTs, HEMTs, and diodes, as well as high-frequency System in Package (SiP) and PCA subsystem solutions.

Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

The level of role and salary will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California Pay Range: MIN $138,960 - MIDPT $185,280 - MAX $231,600

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region.

This role is eligible for Keysight Results Bonus Program

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

- Medical, dental and vision

- Health Savings Account

- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

- Life, Accident, Disability insurance

- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health

- 401(k) Plan

- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays

- Paid Family Leave

- Discounts, Perks

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Adoption Assistance

- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

#LI-MED1

Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of metrology platforms such as CDSEM, AFM, ellipsometry, scatterometry, or filmthickness tools, as well as 3D profile measurements and automatic optical inspection.
  • Understanding of measurement precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and gaugecapability principles
  • Experience developing sampling strategies and optimizing measurement recipes
  • Strong problemsolving skills for measurement anomalies and tooldrift issues
  • Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE) is required.
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • 5+ years of professional, hands-on experience with development and/or maintaining semiconductor processes and equipment. Recent graduates with extensive cleanroom and experimental background will also be considered.
  • Candidates must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional interactions. 
  • Strong accountability, self-initiative and proactive attitude are required for success.

Candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA 

This position requires access to certain goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. persons (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees) working for Keysight can access export-controlled items without authorization from the U.S. government. For any individual who is not a U.S. person, Keysight may need authorization from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, or other appropriate federal agency before the individual can access export-controlled items. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual, having authorization from the U.S. government for export-controlled items under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).  

About Keysight 

Keysight is on the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our powerful, award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. Diversity, equity & inclusion are integral parts of our culture and drivers of innovation at Keysight. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

This position is at our Headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. At the center of beautiful Sonoma County, just an hour north of San Francisco, you will live close to vineyards, redwood forests, regional and state parks, and a vibrant culinary scene, while developing state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing technologies at our worldclass IC and Heterogeneous Integration fabs.

HFTC is part of Keysight Labs, the core R&D organization that enables Centers of Excellence and other business groups to provide RF, microwave, mmWave, 5G and 6G solutions to customers in various industries, including communications, aerospace & defense, automotive & energy, general electronics, manufacturing, AI, and semiconductor industries. HFTC technologies include InP and GaAs-based HBTs, HEMTs, and diodes, as well as high-frequency System in Package (SiP) and PCA subsystem solutions.

Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

The level of role and salary will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California Pay Range: MIN $138,960 - MIDPT $185,280 - MAX $231,600

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region.

This role is eligible for Keysight Results Bonus Program

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

- Medical, dental and vision

- Health Savings Account

- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

- Life, Accident, Disability insurance

- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health

- 401(k) Plan

- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays

- Paid Family Leave

- Discounts, Perks

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Adoption Assistance

- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

#LI-MED1

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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