Product Development Manager Jobs in California
Product Development Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, biotech, software, and medical devices, with demand at every level from associate product manager through senior director. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Google, and Johnson & Johnson maintain deep product development teams. California listings most consistently seek specialization in hardware development, cross-functional roadmap ownership, and regulatory-compliant product launches, particularly in life sciences and tech. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Product Development Manager
Headquartered in Southern California, MerchSource is the core division of ThreeSixty Group —the global organization behind Sharper Image, FAO Schwarz, Vornado, and other consumer brands. We bring high-quality products to consumers in over 30 countries in the categories of everyday play, technology, health and wellness, and premium home comfort. ThreeSixty designs, develops, manufactures, and markets an entire portfolio of aspirational products under beloved brands.
We offer a fast-paced, creative environment, appealing to those who love to collaborate with an entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed.
The Product Development Manager will be responsible for products within Sharper Image’s Wellness and Consumer Electronics categories.
What You’ll Do
Play a key role within the Product Development team by:
- Working cross-functionally between the Design, Graphics, Marketing, Engineering, QA, Legal and Production Support teams to maintain deadlines and facilitate and drive new product development
- Creating, managing, and adhering to timelines for full life cycle of products
- Providing creative and technical input into design and development of new products, with an eye toward product and user experience improvement, cost management, manufacturability, and reliability
- Creating product specifications to define framework for Design, Engineering, Creative, Marketing, and Asia teams and factories
- Creating instruction manual drafts
- Collecting and implementing changes from multiple sources
- Managing and tracking the prototype creation process, including timelines, budgeting, and approvals
- Receiving, reviewing, and commenting on factory samples
- Communicating daily with Asia-based teams and factories via email and video calls
- Working with the quality and compliance teams to resolve product-related issues and create safe, reliable products with high customer satisfaction
- Supporting the Sales team with samples and product information
What We’ll Expect You to Have
- Passion for consumer products
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
- 5+ years experience in relevant consumer electronics and consumer goods product development
- 5+ years experience working with overseas factories in China
- Entrepreneurial instincts with clear bias for informed action and track record of leading new initiatives
- Good understanding of consumer product regulations, requirements, and testing processes, specifically those related to CE products
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge in different substrates and their attributes as it relates to production
- Engineering background is a plus
- Prior experience managing and/or training other Product Development team members is a plus.
This is a hybrid position, Monday-Thursday in the Irvine, CA office, Fridays remote.
MerchSource, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Product Development Manager
Headquartered in Southern California, MerchSource is the core division of ThreeSixty Group —the global organization behind Sharper Image, FAO Schwarz, Vornado, and other consumer brands. We bring high-quality products to consumers in over 30 countries in the categories of everyday play, technology, health and wellness, and premium home comfort. ThreeSixty designs, develops, manufactures, and markets an entire portfolio of aspirational products under beloved brands.
We offer a fast-paced, creative environment, appealing to those who love to collaborate with an entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed.
The Product Development Manager will be responsible for products within Sharper Image’s Wellness and Consumer Electronics categories.
What You’ll Do
Play a key role within the Product Development team by:
- Working cross-functionally between the Design, Graphics, Marketing, Engineering, QA, Legal and Production Support teams to maintain deadlines and facilitate and drive new product development
- Creating, managing, and adhering to timelines for full life cycle of products
- Providing creative and technical input into design and development of new products, with an eye toward product and user experience improvement, cost management, manufacturability, and reliability
- Creating product specifications to define framework for Design, Engineering, Creative, Marketing, and Asia teams and factories
- Creating instruction manual drafts
- Collecting and implementing changes from multiple sources
- Managing and tracking the prototype creation process, including timelines, budgeting, and approvals
- Receiving, reviewing, and commenting on factory samples
- Communicating daily with Asia-based teams and factories via email and video calls
- Working with the quality and compliance teams to resolve product-related issues and create safe, reliable products with high customer satisfaction
- Supporting the Sales team with samples and product information
What We’ll Expect You to Have
- Passion for consumer products
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
- 5+ years experience in relevant consumer electronics and consumer goods product development
- 5+ years experience working with overseas factories in China
- Entrepreneurial instincts with clear bias for informed action and track record of leading new initiatives
- Good understanding of consumer product regulations, requirements, and testing processes, specifically those related to CE products
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge in different substrates and their attributes as it relates to production
- Engineering background is a plus
- Prior experience managing and/or training other Product Development team members is a plus.
This is a hybrid position, Monday-Thursday in the Irvine, CA office, Fridays remote.
MerchSource, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 1,196+ Product Development Manager Jobs in California
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Find JobsProduct Development Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Development Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google53
- Amazon48
- Apple42
- Adobe38
- Intuit38
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software548
- Electronics & Hardware130
- Banking & Financial Services72
- Science & Research56
- Consulting & Professional Services50
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product development manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field required by most California employers
- Five or more years of product development or product management experience in a California industry
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams through full product lifecycle in California markets
- Proficiency with product development methodologies such as Agile, Stage-Gate, or Design Thinking
- Experience with California-regulated industries such as medical devices, biotech, or consumer electronics
- Strong background in product roadmap development and go-to-market strategy for California product launches
Product Development Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product development manager in California?
Most product development managers in California move into the role after several years in a related function such as product design, engineering, program management, or marketing. California employers, especially in tech and life sciences, typically expect a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and hands-on product experience. There is no state-issued license required, but in regulated industries like medical devices, familiarity with FDA quality management systems is a strong differentiator for California roles.
Which companies hire product development managers in California?
Employers hiring product development managers in California right now include Google, Amazon, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of Fortune 500 tech, biotech, and consumer goods companies means product development manager openings appear year-round across both large enterprise teams and well-funded startups.
Which California cities have the most product development manager jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Clara consistently post the most product development manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its density of technology and hardware companies, Los Angeles draws openings from entertainment technology, consumer products, and aerospace, and San Diego's strong life sciences and biotech cluster generates steady demand for managers with regulatory and R&D experience.
Are there remote product development manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many management roles, since much of the strategic and coordination work can be done remotely. About 26% of product development manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the role's strong digital-collaboration component. The parts of the job most suited to remote work are roadmap planning, stakeholder alignment, and sprint reviews, while hardware or lab-intensive product lines typically require some on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a product development manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a project coordinator, product analyst, or associate engineer role within a California company, then stepping into a junior product manager or associate product development role. Large California employers in tech and life sciences such as those in the Bay Area and San Diego run rotational associate product manager programs designed for recent graduates. Building a portfolio of documented product work, even from academic or side projects, and earning a Certified Associate in Project Management credential gives early-career candidates a concrete edge in California applications.
Where can I find and apply to product development manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to product development manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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