Medical Writer Jobs in California
Medical Writer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where a dense network of biopharmaceutical companies, medical device firms, and academic medical centers drives consistent demand at every level from entry-level associate writer through senior and principal roles. Employers with a lasting California presence include Genentech, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca, all of which maintain significant regulatory and clinical writing operations in the state. The most in-demand specialties are regulatory submissions writing, clinical study reports, and medical communications for oncology and rare disease programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See related jobsApplied Medical is a new generation medical device company with a proven business model and commitment to innovation fueled by rapid business growth and expansion. Our company has been developing and manufacturing advanced surgical technologies for over 35 years and has earned a strong reputation for excellence in the healthcare field. Our unique business model, combined with our dedication to delivering the highest quality products, enables team members to contribute in a larger capacity than is possible in typical positions.
Position Description:As an Associate Clinical Writer, you will work within the Clinical Affairs team. The Associate Clinical Writer’s primary responsibilities are developing and completing scientific protocols and reports, including, but not limited to, Clinical Evaluations and Post Market Clinical Feedback as part of design validations for medical devices to support product registrations internationally. You will conduct reviews of post-market data, such as complaints and feedback, to incorporate relevant data and analysis into reports.
Key Responsibilities:
- Critical Thinking: You will need to be able to critically evaluate scientific literature and research findings and apply this knowledge to your work. This involves asking questions, identifying gaps in the research, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
- Writing Skills: You will be responsible for conducting thorough literature searches to identify relevant studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that inform your writing. You will also be responsible for creating and maintaining job aids and work instructions for the preparation and maintenance of compliant medical writing deliverables.
- Communication: You will be responsible to manage timelines and communicate with team members to maintain awareness of expectations, milestones, and deliverables. You will also be expected to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop new and insightful analytics to collect and analyze clinical data.
- Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in a scientific field (MS, Ph.D., MD, or Pharm. D.)
- Experience in conducting focused literature searches on PubMed, Embase or other similar literature databases
- Data mining and analysis
- Ability to formulate reports and present findings
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment
- Project management and organizational skills
- Strong familiarity with Microsoft Office
- 1-2 years of experience in the medical device/pharmaceutical field or 1+ years of research with professor
- Ability to understand and interpret results of clinical studies, with a strong understanding of statistics
- Experience performing statistical analysis with statistical programs
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Data analytic publication experience or literature author publication experience
***Please note that this role is internally titled 'Associate Clinical Writer'. Externally, we refer to it as 'Associate Scientific Writer - Medical Devices' to better reflect the role's responsibilities.
- Competitive compensation range: $70000 - $80000 / year (California).
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Training and mentorship opportunities.
- On-campus wellness activities.
- Education reimbursement program.
- 401(k) program with discretionary employer match.
- Generous vacation accrual and paid holiday schedule.
Please note that the compensation range may be adjusted in the future, and bonus and incentive compensation plans may apply.
Our total reward package reflects our commitment to employee growth and well-being, as we invest in your development and offer a range of benefits designed to enhance your career and life.
All compensation and benefits are subject to plan documents and written agreements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Applied Medical is a new generation medical device company with a proven business model and commitment to innovation fueled by rapid business growth and expansion. Our company has been developing and manufacturing advanced surgical technologies for over 35 years and has earned a strong reputation for excellence in the healthcare field. Our unique business model, combined with our dedication to delivering the highest quality products, enables team members to contribute in a larger capacity than is possible in typical positions.
Position Description:As an Associate Clinical Writer, you will work within the Clinical Affairs team. The Associate Clinical Writer’s primary responsibilities are developing and completing scientific protocols and reports, including, but not limited to, Clinical Evaluations and Post Market Clinical Feedback as part of design validations for medical devices to support product registrations internationally. You will conduct reviews of post-market data, such as complaints and feedback, to incorporate relevant data and analysis into reports.
Key Responsibilities:
- Critical Thinking: You will need to be able to critically evaluate scientific literature and research findings and apply this knowledge to your work. This involves asking questions, identifying gaps in the research, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
- Writing Skills: You will be responsible for conducting thorough literature searches to identify relevant studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that inform your writing. You will also be responsible for creating and maintaining job aids and work instructions for the preparation and maintenance of compliant medical writing deliverables.
- Communication: You will be responsible to manage timelines and communicate with team members to maintain awareness of expectations, milestones, and deliverables. You will also be expected to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop new and insightful analytics to collect and analyze clinical data.
- Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in a scientific field (MS, Ph.D., MD, or Pharm. D.)
- Experience in conducting focused literature searches on PubMed, Embase or other similar literature databases
- Data mining and analysis
- Ability to formulate reports and present findings
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment
- Project management and organizational skills
- Strong familiarity with Microsoft Office
- 1-2 years of experience in the medical device/pharmaceutical field or 1+ years of research with professor
- Ability to understand and interpret results of clinical studies, with a strong understanding of statistics
- Experience performing statistical analysis with statistical programs
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Data analytic publication experience or literature author publication experience
***Please note that this role is internally titled 'Associate Clinical Writer'. Externally, we refer to it as 'Associate Scientific Writer - Medical Devices' to better reflect the role's responsibilities.
- Competitive compensation range: $70000 - $80000 / year (California).
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Training and mentorship opportunities.
- On-campus wellness activities.
- Education reimbursement program.
- 401(k) program with discretionary employer match.
- Generous vacation accrual and paid holiday schedule.
Please note that the compensation range may be adjusted in the future, and bonus and incentive compensation plans may apply.
Our total reward package reflects our commitment to employee growth and well-being, as we invest in your development and offer a range of benefits designed to enhance your career and life.
All compensation and benefits are subject to plan documents and written agreements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
See All 5 Medical Writer Jobs in California
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Find Medical Writer JobsMedical Writer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Writer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical writer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field
- Experience writing regulatory documents such as clinical study reports or submission dossiers
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific data into clear written content
- Familiarity with ICH guidelines, FDA submission standards, and Good Documentation Practice
- Strong project management skills with ability to meet tight regulatory deadlines
- Proficiency with publishing tools such as Microsoft Word, eCTD templates, or similar platforms
Medical Writer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical writer in California?
Most medical writers in California enter the field through a graduate or undergraduate degree in biology, pharmacology, nursing, or a related life science, then build experience in a clinical, research, or communications role. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a medical writer. Many candidates strengthen their profile by earning the American Medical Writers Association credential or gaining experience at a California biotech, CRO, or academic medical center before moving into a dedicated writing role.
Which companies hire medical writers in California?
Employers hiring medical writers in California right now include BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Terumo Neuro, and Applied Medical, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters, contract research organizations, and large academic health systems means openings appear across a wide range of therapeutic areas and company sizes.
Which California cities have the most medical writer jobs?
San Rafael, Sunnyvale, and Aliso Viejo are the California cities with the most medical writer openings. The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego dominate because they anchor the state's largest biopharmaceutical and biotech clusters, while Los Angeles draws openings from medical device companies, health systems, and medical communications agencies headquartered there.
Are there remote medical writer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Medical writing is a document-heavy, desk-based discipline, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 25% of medical writer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly the industry has adopted flexible work for this role. Regulatory writing and medical communications positions are the most consistently remote, while roles tied to clinical operations or site-based research teams are more likely to require some on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a medical writer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a related role, such as clinical research associate, research coordinator, or scientific editor, at a California biotech or CRO, then transitioning into writing by taking on documentation tasks. Large employers such as Genentech and contract research organizations operating throughout the Bay Area and San Diego often post associate medical writer openings that accept candidates with strong science backgrounds and no direct writing experience. Completing the American Medical Writers Association core curriculum and building a writing portfolio through academic publications or volunteer medical communications work gives candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to medical writer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to medical writer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, medical communications agencies, and health systems. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 5 Medical Writer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Medical Writer Jobs