Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California
Clinical Research Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biopharmaceutical, and medical device sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level CRA I positions through senior and principal roles. The largest hiring clusters are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers such as Genentech, AstraZeneca, and Medpace have long-standing California operations. Oncology, cardiology, and early-phase clinical trials are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. We generate extensive clinical evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of our innovations and how our products transform patients’ lives. As part of our Clinical Affairs team, you’ll hone your scientific curiosity and passion for evaluating data to increase access to pioneering technologies for patients in need. In close partnership with principal investigators, dedicated medical professionals, patient advocacy groups, and regulatory authorities, you will drive the evidence needed to optimize patient outcomes.
We’re dedicated to pioneering next-generation innovations for patients with aortic regurgitation (AR). Our Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) business unit brings together Clinical Affairs, Engineering, and Research professionals to design and develop minimally invasive therapies that impact patient outcomes and quality of life. We’re working together to transform cardiovascular care and device development to address unmet patient needs in structural heart disease. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
How you will make an impact:
- Field monitoring of studies and data collection for clinical trials, assessing all data documentation, reports, records, transcripts, exam results for consistency with case report form, and determining if clinical trial/study subject documentation is within parameters of study hypothesis, as well as monitoring clinical trial/study safety, in keeping with protocols, GCP (Good Clinical Practices) and regulatory requirements.
- Developing and delivering technical training on GCPs, protocols, database, compliance, device accountability, adverse event reporting, study investigation protocols, amendments, regulatory documentation requirements as well as training and proctoring new employees on trial and study related activities. Acting as a mentor to new or junior level employees.
- Providing oversight of and insights into trial activities (e.g., trends in protocol compliance, enrollment, monitoring deviations, data quality) to principal investigators and support staff, and study sponsor management and leadership staff, including Institutional Review Boards/Ethics Committees/Research Ethics Boards, Contract, and Training, developing process improvements.
- Contributing to the development of clinical protocols, informed consent forms, and case report forms.
- Validating investigational device accountability by tracking the history of investigational devices from Edwards to the field sites and through final disposition.
- Verifying trial/study data, including maintaining appropriate regulatory documents both internal and external, auditing to be sure the site has the appropriate regulatory documentation to conduct the trial/study, and source documentation is properly recorded.
- Editing/amending informed consent documents.
What you’ll need (Required):
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in related field with 5 years of field monitoring, quality assurance/control and regulatory compliance experience or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria. Ability to travel up to 75% domestically.
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What else we look for (Preferred):
- Clinical research certification (ACRP or SoCRA clinical coordinator / CRA certification.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Proven expertise in MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Adobe, and ability to operate general computer software and office machinery.
- Excellent understanding of cardiovascular anatomy, pathology, and physiology or Business Unit area of expertise.
- Moderate understanding of medical device regulatory requirements and documents, device accountability and adverse events reporting.
- Technical writing skills (protocols, CRF development, study tools).
- Ability to communicate and relate well with key opinion leaders and clinical personnel.
- Experience in training new hires.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
The base pay range for this position is $108,000 to $153,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
See All 258+ Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California
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Find JobsClinical Research Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- IQVIA29

- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center17

- Stanford University14

- Kaiser Permanente12

- CenExel Clinical Research12

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services12
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals8
- Education6
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Medical Devices1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research associate jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related health sciences field
- ACRP or SOCRA certification (CCRA or CCRP) strongly preferred by California employers
- Minimum one to two years of clinical trial monitoring or site management experience
- Working knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and 21 CFR requirements
- Proficiency with electronic data capture systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
- Ability to travel to clinical trial sites throughout California and occasionally out of state
Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research associate in California?
The standard path is a bachelor's degree in a life sciences or health-related field, followed by hands-on clinical trial experience through a site coordinator, clinical data, or research assistant role. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a clinical research associate, but employers across San Diego and the Bay Area strongly favor candidates who hold the Certified Clinical Research Associate credential from ACRP or the CCRP from SOCRA, both of which require documented monitoring experience.
Which companies hire clinical research associates in California?
Employers hiring clinical research associates in California right now include IQVIA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and contract research organizations means new openings appear regularly across both sponsor-side and CRO positions.
Which California cities have the most clinical research associate jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most clinical research associate openings in California right now. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because they are home to the state's highest concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and research campuses, while Los Angeles draws demand through its large academic medical centers and growing biotech corridor in areas such as Torrance and El Segundo.
Are there remote clinical research associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited. About 51% of clinical research associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the reality that site monitoring requires regular in-person visits to clinical trial locations. The tasks most likely to be handled remotely are remote source document review, study start-up activities, and sponsor team meetings, rather than on-site monitoring visits.
How can I get hired as a clinical research associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a clinical research coordinator or site coordinator role at a California academic medical center or hospital, such as those affiliated with UC San Diego, UCSF, or UCLA Health, which regularly recruit coordinators with no prior monitoring experience. Large CROs with California offices, including ICON and IQVIA, also run associate CRA programs designed for candidates transitioning from coordination or data roles. Completing your ACRP or SOCRA certification while in a coordinator position gives your application a measurable advantage when applying to CRA I openings.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the biopharmaceutical, CRO, and medical device sectors. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to each one.
See All 258+ Clinical Research Associate Jobs in California
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