Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
Regulatory affairs jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries that define the state's life sciences economy, with openings ranging from entry-level regulatory coordinator through senior director. The largest hiring metros are San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where employers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Abbott maintain significant California operations. The most in-demand specialties are FDA submissions, quality and compliance, and combination product regulation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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This position is located in Sacramento, CA.
Can Be Filled at a Higher Level Based on Experience.
Career Level: P3
Primary Purpose:
Develops regulatory positions, drafts complex filings, and leads cross-functional coordination for compliance initiatives. Strengthens strategic outcomes by ensuring submissions meet regulatory standards and advance organizational interests.
This position is part of the State Government Relations – Policy & Issue Management organization. The shared service team leads cross-functional policy development and advocacy on significant state energy and environmental issues before local air districts, state agencies (excluding the CPUC), and the Legislature. The team works with internal and external stakeholders and engages directly with policymakers to advance Company objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develops positions and drafts complex filings (new registrations, significant variations, rate cases with customer impact models); structures arguments and evidence for approval.
- Coordinates cross‑functional evidence packages (quality systems, testing, safety, customer impact) and aligns timelines to regulator milestones.
- Advises on compliance for growth initiatives (new product lines, acquisitions, market entries); outlines regulatory pathways, risks, and mitigations.
- Leads root‑cause reviews after audit or inspection findings; designs corrective and preventive actions that address system causes.
- Represents the organization in technical committees or industry forums; explains compliance rationale and proposed policy outcomes.
- Crafts well‑supported responses to deficiency letters or data requests; negotiates realistic timelines and commitments.
- Leads small improvement projects (submission quality improvements, labeling claim libraries, change‑control enhancements) with measurable outcomes.
- Mentors junior staff on drafting techniques, regulator engagement, and evidence building.
- Engages directly with state policymakers, including but not limited to staff at the California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board, to advance Company energy and environmental policy priorities.
- Builds relationships with agency staff and key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for potential alignment in advocacy approaches.
- Advises leadership on agency priorities, policy risks and opportunities, and recommended engagement strategies.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Typically requires a 4 year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Typically requires 5 years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Major in Communications; Political Science; Public Policy; Environmental Policy; Public Administration; Business; Economics; Statistics; Engineering; or other related field.
- Experience representing an organization in agency proceedings, public workshops, stakeholder meetings, coalitions, associations, or other external forums.
- Experience engaging with or working for the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, a California air district, the California Legislature, Governor's Office, or another state agency.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to assess regulatory and compliance risks associated with business or operational changes.
- Ability to balance regulatory expectations with operational objectives.
- Ability to contribute expert regulatory or compliance input to cross-functional initiatives.
- Knowledge of regulator and auditor expectations.
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks across multiple lifecycle stages or processes.
- Skill in drafting, reviewing, and refining complex regulatory or compliance documentation.
- Skill in interpreting regulations, guidance, and internal policies with limited direction.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive or high-visibility situations, and represent the companies effectively with external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of and experience with California energy and utility policy, including issues affecting electric and natural gas utilities, affordability, reliability, wildfire, infrastructure, environmental policy, and the clean energy transition.
- Knowledge of and experience with California government affairs practices, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, coalition engagement, stakeholder outreach, and executive briefings.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.
Pay Transparency In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Regulatory Affairs JobsRegulatory Affairs Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs 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 jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, or a related technical field
- Knowledge of FDA regulations including 21 CFR, ICH guidelines, and submission requirements
- Experience with regulatory submissions such as INDs, NDAs, PMAs, or 510(k)s
- Familiarity with California's biotech and medical device manufacturing environment
- Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from RAPS preferred for mid and senior roles
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing regulatory documents and dossiers
Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs professional in California?
Most regulatory affairs roles in California require a bachelor's degree in a life science, engineering, or a related technical field, with a master's degree preferred for senior positions. California does not issue a state-specific license for regulatory affairs work, but employers consistently prefer candidates who hold the Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) awarded by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. Gaining experience in quality assurance, clinical affairs, or a laboratory setting is the most common path into the field.
How much do regulatory affairses make in California?
Regulatory affairses 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 professionals in California?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs professionals in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Abbott, and Gilead Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of FDA-regulated biotech and medical device companies means demand is consistent across the San Diego, Bay Area, and Los Angeles corridors year-round.
Which California cities have the most regulatory affairs jobs?
Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego have the most regulatory affairs openings in California. San Diego and the Bay Area lead because they are home to the largest clusters of FDA-regulated biopharmaceutical and medical device companies in the state, while Los Angeles draws demand from a broad mix of pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract research organizations, and combination product developers.
Are there remote regulatory affairs jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Regulatory affairs work is largely document-driven and submission-based, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 50% of regulatory affairs openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the role. Submissions management, regulatory writing, and labeling review are the functions most commonly offered as fully remote positions.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs professional in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from quality assurance, clinical operations, or a laboratory technician role at a California biotech or medical device company. Large San Diego and Bay Area employers regularly hire regulatory affairs coordinators and associates who come from QA or clinical backgrounds rather than direct regulatory experience. Pursuing the RAC credential while in an adjacent role, building a portfolio of SOP or technical writing samples, and targeting contract or temp-to-perm postings at contract research organizations accelerates the transition considerably.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs jobs in California?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly through each listing.
See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
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