H-1B Visa Regulatory Affairs Lead Jobs
Regulatory Affairs Lead roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under DOL's prevailing wage framework, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as regulatory science, chemistry, or life sciences. Employers in pharma, biotech, and medical devices sponsor H-1B petitions for this title regularly, and cap-exempt institutions add filing options outside the annual lottery.
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INTRODUCTION
The Health group is looking for an International Regulatory Affairs Lead to head a team responsible for international expansion of Apple Health’s regulated medical device features. If you are passionate about the health space and want to have an incredible impact here at Apple, this could be the role for you. We are an efficient organization who works closely together to build relationships across multiple functional teams. We care deeply about getting amazing new products into our customers' hands across the globe.
DESCRIPTION
You will be the primary leadership team member on the Health Regulatory Affairs team representing the team on a diverse array of initiatives and new product development programs, with the goal of marketing new technologies in all of Apple’s international geographies. You will develop a variety of solutions to regulatory challenges and will exercise independent judgment in settling and communicating appropriate regulatory/quality strategy, actions and requirements, while overseeing a team of global regulatory experts across all geographies. This role will involve leading assessments of regulatory impact for new and modified wellness, Class I, II and III products, including identification of assumptions/risks/mitigations to develop and execute clear regulatory plans across the globe. In this leadership role, you will also:
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Represent the Health Regulatory Affairs team in Executive meetings and reviews for topics representing our international expansion work.
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Identify regulatory trends and opportunities that impact the strategic direction of Apple Health, and establish / implement plans that ensure sustained growth of business in region.
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Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators and trade groups, across key global markets
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Partner with cross-functional partners including Legal, Government Affairs, Policy, Quality and other external stakeholders
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Set frameworks for technical writing, including distilling complex information into geo-specific filings, submissions, slides and other communication formats
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Execute complex gap analyses for products/programs against global regulations, standards and guidance in order to drive RA/QA strategy for international expansion programs
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
B.S. degree or equivalent in a life science, legal or business discipline
10+ years of medical device experience in a regulatory and/or quality executive role, with at least 5+ years focused in leading and overseeing international programs
Proven track record in overseeing a large scope of international regulatory affairs matters including regulatory approvals, submissions, launch strategy
Experience leading global team of regulatory professionals, including establishing organizational objectives and proven success delivering as a team
Significant experience in crafting strategy interactions with regulatory health authorities in the US and abroad
Demonstrable track record of receiving regulatory approvals for complex products - including software medical devices - globally, across US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other regions
Deep expertise in developing global product submissions including STED, CDST and other global templates
Strong working knowledge of US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other global regulations that affect Class I, II and III devices
Strong knowledge of clinical investigations, validations and GCP requirements in the US and abroad
Significant expertise in global quality standards, including ISO 13485, ISO 14155, and related technical product-specific standards
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
M.S./PhD/post-secondary education preferred
Demonstrable background in being autonomous and being able to clearly work towards established goals and initiatives with minimal oversight.
Proven competence in determination of appropriate global regulatory requirements for new products or product changes.
Partnering with and across a broad swath of other Apple teams to set regulatory/quality strategy and “look around corners” to anticipate business impact
Strong organizational and management skills
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Comfortable with presenting assessments and information to broad, multi-disciplinary teams
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $214,000 and $356,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Regulatory Affairs Lead
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to regulatory affairs. A chemistry, biology, or pharmaceutical sciences degree strengthens your petition. If your degree is in an adjacent field, document how your coursework maps to the core duties of a Regulatory Affairs Lead.
Target cap-exempt employers first
Hospitals, nonprofits attached to research institutions, and universities can file H-1B petitions year-round without lottery exposure. Regulatory affairs roles at academic medical centers or nonprofit research organizations qualify, cutting your wait from a full fiscal year to weeks.
Search LCA filing history on Migrate Mate
Filter by SOC code 13-1041 to see which pharma, biotech, and medical device employers have active Labor Condition Applications for regulatory roles. Employers with recent filings have confirmed infrastructure and willingness to sponsor, not just stated openness.
Verify prevailing wage tier before negotiating an offer
Pull the OFLC Wage Search for SOC 13-1041 in your target metro before accepting. Your employer's LCA must certify at least the Level II wage for your experience. Knowing the floor protects you from offers that create compliance risk at filing.
Confirm the employer's I-9 and E-Verify readiness
STEM OPT employers must be E-Verify enrolled, and many regulated pharma or device companies already are. Ask HR whether they're enrolled before the offer stage. Gaps in E-Verify enrollment delay your I-9 completion and complicate the transition from OPT to H-1B status.
Request premium processing if your OPT end date is close
USCIS adjudicates premium processing petitions within 15 business days. If your OPT expires within 60 days of your H-1B start date, ask your employer to elect premium processing so your approval arrives before you lose authorization to work.
H-1B Visa Regulatory Affairs Lead: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Regulatory Affairs Lead role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS classifies regulatory affairs positions as specialty occupations because the duties require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as regulatory science, life sciences, chemistry, or pharmacy. The O*NET profile for Regulatory Affairs Specialists supports this classification, and most employers use SOC code 13-1041 when filing the Labor Condition Application with DOL.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most consistently for Regulatory Affairs Lead positions?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech firms, and medical device companies sponsor the highest volume of H-1B petitions for regulatory affairs roles. Contract research organizations and in vitro diagnostics companies also file regularly. You can see which employers have active Labor Condition Applications for this role category by searching Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL filing data by occupation and employer.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if my Regulatory Affairs Lead role changes scope?
Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as your transfer petition is filed, not after it's approved, provided your original petition has been approved and you've maintained valid status. If the new role involves materially different duties, your employer's attorney should document the specialty occupation basis again to avoid an RFE.
Does regulatory affairs work at a nonprofit hospital or university avoid the H-1B lottery?
It can. Cap-exempt status applies to H-1B petitions filed by qualifying nonprofits affiliated with research institutions and certain universities. If a hospital or academic medical center employs you in a Regulatory Affairs Lead capacity and meets the cap-exemption criteria under USCIS rules, your petition bypasses the lottery entirely and can be filed at any time of year.
What documentation does my employer need to file an H-1B petition for a Regulatory Affairs Lead role?
Your employer needs a certified Labor Condition Application from DOL, which covers prevailing wage compliance for the role's SOC code and work location. They'll also file Form I-129 with USCIS, supported by a detailed job duties letter, your academic credentials, and any professional licenses relevant to the regulatory function. Employers in FDA-regulated industries often already have H-1B filing experience, which accelerates the process.