Regulatory Affairs Director Jobs in California

Regulatory Affairs Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biotechnology, and medical device sectors that anchor the state's economy at every seniority level from newly promoted manager to global regulatory head. The largest hiring volumes are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Genentech, Edwards Lifesciences, and Hologic maintain deep regulatory functions. Demand is strongest in professionals with expertise in FDA submissions, combination products, and international regulatory strategy, particularly for Class II and Class III medical devices and biologics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles164+
Top employerRevolution Medicines
Top cityRedwood City, CA
Cities hiring47
Work type50% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 164+ Regulatory Affairs Director jobs

Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Senior I/II
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Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Senior I/II
San Diego Gas & Electric
Sacramento, California
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
$104k - $164k/yr
Bachelor's degree in public policy
1,001-5,000

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist II – Lingo (on-site)
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Added 3d ago
Regulatory Affairs Specialist II – Lingo (on-site)
Abbott
Alameda, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$82k - $141k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in biology
10,000+

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Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs
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Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs
Pacific Coast Producers
Lodi, California
Brand Marketing
Community & Nonprofit Services
Growth Marketing
$200k - $225k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in food science
1,001-5,000

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Manager, Regulatory Data and Content, Regulatory Affairs CMC
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Manager, Regulatory Data and Content, Regulatory Affairs CMC
Gilead Sciences
Foster City, California
Data Analytics
Data Science
$147k - $190k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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Associate Director, Operational and Digital Enablement, Regulatory Affairs CMC
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Associate Director, Operational and Digital Enablement, Regulatory Affairs CMC
Gilead Sciences
Foster City, California
Business Development
Events & Tourism
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$182k - $236k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Director Jobs in California

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Regulatory Affairs Director Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Redwood City
20 jobs
Irvine
18 jobs
San Diego
15 jobs
San Francisco
14 jobs
Alameda
9 jobs
Foster City
8 jobs
South San Francisco
6 jobs
San Jose
5 jobs
Brisbane
4 jobs

Regulatory Affairs Director Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Revolution Medicines17
  • Abbott8
  • Gilead Sciences7
  • Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences6
  • AbbVie5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals32
  • Medical Devices4
  • Retail2
  • Technology & Software2
  • Healthcare & Medical Services2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in regulatory affairs director jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related scientific field
  • Minimum of seven to ten years of regulatory affairs experience in pharma, biotech, or medical devices
  • Demonstrated experience leading FDA submissions including 510(k), PMA, BLA, or NDA filings
  • Working knowledge of California Department of Public Health manufacturing and quality regulations
  • RAC credential from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society strongly preferred by California employers
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams and external regulatory consultants or contract research organizations

Regulatory Affairs Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a regulatory affairs director in California?

Most regulatory affairs directors in California reach the role through a combination of a life sciences degree and progressively senior positions in regulatory submissions, quality assurance, or clinical affairs at a biotech or medical device company. The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society's RAC credential is widely recognized by California employers and signals formal competency. California does not issue a state-specific license for regulatory affairs, but familiarity with California Department of Public Health manufacturing requirements is a practical asset for senior candidates.

How much do regulatory affairs directors make in California?

Regulatory affairs directors in California earn a median of about $96,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,530 for the lowest 10% to over $158,280 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire regulatory affairs directors in California?

Employers hiring regulatory affairs directors in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Abbott, and Gilead Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device headquarters means hiring is consistent year-round, with particularly high volume in the Bay Area and San Diego corridors.

Which California cities have the most regulatory affairs director jobs?

Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego have the most regulatory affairs director openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its concentration of biopharmaceutical and biotech headquarters, San Diego is driven by its medical device and genomics cluster, and Los Angeles draws demand from pharmaceutical manufacturers and combination product companies with large West Coast operations.

Are there remote regulatory affairs director jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of regulatory affairs director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and document-intensive nature of much regulatory work. Roles centered on strategy, submissions writing, and agency correspondence tend to be the most flexible, while positions requiring hands-on review of manufacturing facilities or laboratory audits typically require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs director in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a regulatory affairs specialist or associate role from an adjacent position such as quality assurance, clinical research coordination, or scientific writing at a California biotech or medical device company. Larger employers such as those in the Bay Area and San Diego biotech clusters regularly hire associate regulatory affairs professionals who want to build toward director-level roles. Earning the RAC Foundation credential and building a portfolio of submission-support experience on even one FDA filing meaningfully strengthens a candidate's profile early in their career.

Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs director jobs in California?

You can find and apply to regulatory affairs director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biotech, pharma, and medical device employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to each listing.

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