Regulatory Affairs Lead Jobs in California
Regulatory affairs lead jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in life sciences, medical devices, and biotechnology across a market that supports roles from associate-level professionals stepping into leadership through senior regulatory directors. The heaviest hiring runs through San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, and Genentech maintain large regulatory functions. The most in-demand specialties are FDA submission management, combination product oversight, and quality system compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Health group is looking for an International Regulatory Affairs Lead to head a team responsible for international expansion of Apple Health’s regulated medical device features. If you are passionate about the health space and want to have an incredible impact here at Apple, this could be the role for you. We are an efficient organization who works closely together to build relationships across multiple functional teams. We care deeply about getting amazing new products into our customers' hands across the globe.
DESCRIPTION
You will be the primary leadership team member on the Health Regulatory Affairs team representing the team on a diverse array of initiatives and new product development programs, with the goal of marketing new technologies in all of Apple’s international geographies. You will develop a variety of solutions to regulatory challenges and will exercise independent judgment in settling and communicating appropriate regulatory/quality strategy, actions and requirements, while overseeing a team of global regulatory experts across all geographies. This role will involve leading assessments of regulatory impact for new and modified wellness, Class I, II and III products, including identification of assumptions/risks/mitigations to develop and execute clear regulatory plans across the globe. In this leadership role, you will also:
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Represent the Health Regulatory Affairs team in Executive meetings and reviews for topics representing our international expansion work.
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Identify regulatory trends and opportunities that impact the strategic direction of Apple Health, and establish / implement plans that ensure sustained growth of business in region.
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Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators and trade groups, across key global markets
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Partner with cross-functional partners including Legal, Government Affairs, Policy, Quality and other external stakeholders
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Set frameworks for technical writing, including distilling complex information into geo-specific filings, submissions, slides and other communication formats
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Execute complex gap analyses for products/programs against global regulations, standards and guidance in order to drive RA/QA strategy for international expansion programs
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
B.S. degree or equivalent in a life science, legal or business discipline
10+ years of medical device experience in a regulatory and/or quality executive role, with at least 5+ years focused in leading and overseeing international programs
Proven track record in overseeing a large scope of international regulatory affairs matters including regulatory approvals, submissions, launch strategy
Experience leading global team of regulatory professionals, including establishing organizational objectives and proven success delivering as a team
Significant experience in crafting strategy interactions with regulatory health authorities in the US and abroad
Demonstrable track record of receiving regulatory approvals for complex products - including software medical devices - globally, across US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other regions
Deep expertise in developing global product submissions including STED, CDST and other global templates
Strong working knowledge of US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other global regulations that affect Class I, II and III devices
Strong knowledge of clinical investigations, validations and GCP requirements in the US and abroad
Significant expertise in global quality standards, including ISO 13485, ISO 14155, and related technical product-specific standards
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
M.S./PhD/post-secondary education preferred
Demonstrable background in being autonomous and being able to clearly work towards established goals and initiatives with minimal oversight.
Proven competence in determination of appropriate global regulatory requirements for new products or product changes.
Partnering with and across a broad swath of other Apple teams to set regulatory/quality strategy and “look around corners” to anticipate business impact
Strong organizational and management skills
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Comfortable with presenting assessments and information to broad, multi-disciplinary teams
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $214,000 and $356,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Find Regulatory Affairs Lead JobsRegulatory Affairs Lead Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs Lead Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Revolution Medicines4

- Apple1

- Denali Therapeutics1

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Electronics & Hardware1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in regulatory affairs lead jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, pharmacy, or a related field required
- Minimum five years of regulatory affairs experience in a medical device or pharmaceutical setting
- Demonstrated experience leading FDA submissions including 510(k), PMA, or NDA filings
- Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820 and ISO 13485 quality system regulations
- Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from RAPS preferred by most California employers
- Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across R&D, quality, and clinical operations
Regulatory Affairs Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs lead in California?
Most regulatory affairs leads in California follow a path that starts with a bachelor's degree in a life science, biomedical engineering, or pharmacy field, followed by several years in a regulatory specialist or analyst role within a medical device, biotech, or pharmaceutical company. California employers look for hands-on experience with FDA submissions and quality systems. Earning the Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society strengthens your candidacy significantly in this market.
How much do regulatory affairs leads make in California?
Regulatory affairs leads 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 leads in California?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs leads in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Apple, and Denali Therapeutics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of medical device headquarters and biotech campuses, particularly in San Diego and the Bay Area, keeps demand for regulatory affairs leads consistently strong across companies of all sizes.
Which California cities have the most regulatory affairs lead jobs?
Redwood City, Cupertino, and South San Francisco have the most regulatory affairs lead openings in California. San Diego and the Bay Area dominate because of their high concentrations of FDA-regulated medical device and biotech employers, while Los Angeles draws openings from pharmaceutical and combination product companies headquartered or operating in the region.
Are there remote regulatory affairs lead jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many technical roles in the industry. About 0% of regulatory affairs lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves document preparation, dossier review, and agency correspondence rather than lab or manufacturing floor activity. Submission-focused and post-market surveillance roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs lead in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a regulatory affairs coordinator or specialist role first, then building toward a lead position over time. Large California employers like Medtronic, Becton Dickinson, and Thermo Fisher Scientific hire associates and coordinators who come from adjacent roles in quality assurance, clinical operations, or technical writing. Completing an RAC exam preparation course or a regulatory affairs certificate program at a California continuing education institution strengthens a resume without requiring prior lead experience.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs lead jobs in California?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 6 Regulatory Affairs Lead Jobs in California
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