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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Overview

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

Showing 5 of 164+ Regulatory Affairs 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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Added 3d ago
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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Added 3d ago
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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Added 3d ago
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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Regulatory Affairs 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 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

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Regulatory Affairs Jobs