Sr. Process Engineer

PCI Pharma Services · San Diego, CA

Apply on PCI ↗

Level: Senior
Team: Process
Base pay: $107k–$134k
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Industry: Pharma & life sciences
Posted: Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

A senior process role at PCI Pharma Services (pharma & life sciences) in San Diego, CA.

They ask for: degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: FDA / GMP
Base pay: $107k–$134k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Process Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $116k–$171k. This one lists $107k–$134k.

Median of the low and high ends of 70 live postings that list pay, out of 119 process engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 118 other live process postings in California.

Base pay: About 16% below similar roles
Experience asked: Not stated

Skills these teams ask for most

Root cause 46%
SPC 28%
DOE 24%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 24%
New product launch 23%
Team leadership 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, Union environment, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at PCI Pharma Services
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: PCI Pharma Services in San Diego

4 other open roles at this site.

Process Equipment Maintenance Specialist III · Reliability · Senior
Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement · Lean / CI · Manager
Senior Reliability Engineer · Reliability · Senior
Facilities Maintenance Specialist III - 2nd Shift · Reliability · Senior

Full description from PCI Pharma ServicesAs posted on their careers site.Show

Essential job functions-other duties may be assigned

◆Design and specify processes and manufacturing equipment systems
◆Evaluate existing systems for continuous improvement
◆Provide in-depth technical review of all documents
◆Research new technologies and implement new/upgraded systems
◆Document changes to systems per change management procedures
◆Travel between facilities to support all manufacturing processes
◆Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
◆Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company’s policies and practices.
◆Embodies PCI Pharma Service’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Education and experience

✓Bachelor's degree required (Bioengineering, ChE, EE, IE, ME, or similar) or Exceptions for equivalent work experience
✓Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience
✓Minimum six (6) years of cGMP experience
✓Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes
✓Mastery of process flow and troubleshooting
✓Advanced understanding of GMP regulations and

requirements

The base salary hiring range for this position is $106,800 - $133,500 plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including but not limited to specific and relevant experience, education, credentials, geography, and subject matter expertise. PCI offers full-time employees a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance coverage (including dental and vision), flexible spending account, and 401(k).

Join us and be part of building the bridge between life changing therapies and patients. Let’s talk future

Show full description ↓

Life changing therapies. Global impact. Bridge to thousands of biopharma companies and their patients.

We are PCI.

Our investment is in People who make an impact, drive progress and create a better tomorrow. Our strategy includes building teams across our global network to pioneer and shape the future of PCI.

Summary

Design and optimize pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes for improved efficiency and yield. Supports manufacturing operations and mentor junior engineers. Lead technical assessment and improvement/scale up projects for manufacturing processes, including managing projects through to successful completion.