What does a process development engineer do?
A Process Development Engineer creates and implements process technology for product manufacturing to optimize workflow, improve operating capabilities, and help ensure workers' safety. They help enhance the speed and quality of processing from a variety of industries, such as mining or manufacturing.
Process development engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real process development engineer resumes:
- Manage implementation of improve paste compounding (including extrusion) process.
- Perform process validation and product qualification per FDA standards for medical device submissions.
- Perform IQ, OQ and PQ on the fixtures and equipment used.
- Own and maintain product BOM, and operator instruction through prototype and pilot runs.
- Draft and design layouts of materials and products using SOLIDWORKS 3D and AUTOCAD to company standards.
- Participate in design reviews, product and process FMEA's and relate drug development management processes.
- Address issues suppliers, manufacturing and customers encounter with the BOM's, drawings and processes.
- Create and maintain FMEA's to aid in the design of new equipment and upgrade existing equipment.
- Write statistical programs in MATLAB and Minitab to determine if data sets and trials are statistically different or similar.
- Implement manufacturing processing standards according to ISO and food industry standards such as QAI organic food, AIB and NFPA.
- Used signal analyzers to troubleshoot hardware problems and manually test electronic components.
- Perform CFD analysis using SolidWorks and COMSOL for optimizing cell therapy operations.
- Used Minitab to analyze test data and identify trends that indicate substandard performance.
- Complete process qualification of manufacturing line for newest generation pacemaker resulting in successful early FDA acceptance.
- Lead GMP manufacturing and packaging of clinical supplies in support of global clinical development and regulatory filings.
Process development engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Process Development Engineers are proficient in Data Analysis, DOE, and R. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Process Development Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Analysis, 6%
Trained new employees in all aspects of laboratory operations from execution of experiments to data analysis and documentation.
- DOE, 5%
Yield and throughput improvement through DOE, process qualifications, process capability assessment and optimization.
- R, 4%
Developed and used X-bar R charts to determine process variation for dry film thickness of paint process.
- Process Engineering, 4%
Supported process engineering with calculations, mass and heat balances, and correlated plant operational data, preformed statistical analysis.
- Statistical Analysis, 4%
Incorporated statistical analysis for interpretation of experimental results and design of experiments.
- FDA, 4%
Completed process qualification of manufacturing line for newest generation pacemaker resulting in successful early FDA acceptance.
Most process development engineers use their skills in "data analysis," "doe," and "r" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential process development engineer responsibilities here:
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a process development engineer to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." Additionally, a process development engineer resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "analyzed pilot plant data and communicated results and recommendations to management. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform process development engineer duties is speaking skills. Process development engineers responsibilities require that "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Process development engineers also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "represented company in fda and client audits. "
Writing skills. process development engineers are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to process development engineer responsibilities, because "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." A process development engineer resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "process flow diagrams, writing of work instructions, training of operators. "
Creativity. For certain process development engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of a process development engineer rely on this skill, as "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what process development engineers do: "co-invented and secured several process engineering design patent applications for jergens. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in process development engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what process development engineers do. Process development engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." You can also see how process development engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "provided pilot plant engineers solutions to overcome crystallization challenges. "
Math skills. While "math skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to process development engineer responsibilities. Much of what a process development engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of process development engineers: "improved tool making capabilities by implementing the following: machine tool metrology, doe's, and statistics. "
The three companies that hire the most process development engineers are:
- Texas Instruments26 process development engineers jobs
- Micron Technology25 process development engineers jobs
- Corning Incorporated10 process development engineers jobs
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Compare different process development engineers
Process development engineer vs. Manufacturing engineer
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a process development engineer are more likely to require skills like "data analysis," "process engineering," "statistical analysis," and "gmp." On the other hand, a job as a manufacturing engineer requires skills like "project management," "process control," "quality standards," and "shop floor." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Manufacturing engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $81,429. Comparatively, process development engineers tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $89,902.manufacturing engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than process development engineers. In fact, manufacturing engineers are 6.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Process development engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real process development engineer resumes. While process development engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "doe," "process engineering," "statistical analysis," and "fda," engineers use skills like "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #."
On average, engineers earn a higher salary than process development engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Whereas process development engineers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $89,902.engineers earn similar levels of education than process development engineers in general. They're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for process development engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Jerry Leth
VP/General Manager, MANA
Process development engineer vs. Quality control engineer
A quality control engineer is responsible for conducting quality assessments for the company's products and services to ensure adherence to federal regulations and quality standards. Quality control engineers recommend strategic methods by analyzing processes and writing test results. They also identify opportunities for more services that meet public demands and market trends, helping the business generate more resources for revenues. A quality control engineer utilizes various software tools and applications to document findings, requiring them to have excellent communication and technical skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a process development engineer is likely to be skilled in "doe," "process engineering," "gmp," and "statistical process control," while a typical quality control engineer is skilled in "quality standards," "test procedures," "quality issues," and "management system."
Quality control engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $83,131. Process development engineers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $89,902.When it comes to education, quality control engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to process development engineers. In fact, they're 4.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Process development engineer vs. Industrial engineer
An industrial engineer specializes in devising various systems to improve the workflow and the workforce in a manufacturing setting. One of their primary responsibilities is to understand all of the procedures in a manufacturing plant and develop strategies to resolve issues or improve production operations, such as designing a cost-efficient machine or system that will enhance the quality of goods and boost the productivity of workers. Moreover, it is also essential to adhere to all the company's policies and safety regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment for all employees.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between process development engineers and industrial engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a process development engineer might have more use for skills like "doe," "process engineering," "fda," and "gmp." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of industrial engineers require skills like "project management," "excellent interpersonal," "logistics," and "value stream. "
In general, industrial engineers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $83,503. The highest-paying industry for a process development engineer is the manufacturing industry.In general, industrial engineers hold similar degree levels compared to process development engineers. Industrial engineers are 3.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of process development engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
