Regulatory Affairs Manager Jobs in California
Regulatory affairs manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals across an employer base that ranges from early-stage startups to global manufacturers, with openings at every level from associate regulatory affairs specialist through senior director. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Genentech, Edwards Lifesciences, and Johnson & Johnson maintain large California operations. The most in-demand specialties include FDA submissions, quality systems compliance, and combination product regulation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 164+ Regulatory Affairs Manager jobs











SDG&E is not just an energy company, we are the architects of a brighter, cleaner future. Our employees power everyday life for 3.7 million people – bringing the energy to support their passions, ambitions, and the heartbeat of our community.
We call Southern California our home. It's where we chase our dreams and raise our families. That's why the people who live here deserve an energy company unlike any other, and that's why every day, SDG&E employees strive to be at the forefront of innovations to reduce emissions, modernize the electric grid, and enable our customers to make the transition to clean technologies. We're redefining sustainability, advancing zero-emissions solutions, and driving the electric vehicle revolution.
It takes the best to build the best – join us!
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 Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegulatory Affairs Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs Manager 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 manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, pharmacy, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting FDA regulatory filings such as 510(k) or BLA
- Familiarity with California-regulated medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
- Working knowledge of 21 CFR, ICH guidelines, and current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements
- RAC certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society preferred by most California employers
- Strong cross-functional communication skills for coordinating with clinical, quality, and legal teams
Regulatory Affairs Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs manager in California?
Most regulatory affairs managers in California start with a bachelor's degree in a life science, pharmacy, or engineering discipline, then build experience in quality assurance, clinical affairs, or a related technical role before moving into regulatory work. California does not issue a state-specific license for regulatory affairs managers, but employers strongly favor candidates who hold or are pursuing the Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, which is recognized across the state's dense life sciences sector.
How much do regulatory affairs managers make in California?
Regulatory affairs managers 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 managers in California?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs managers 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-registered medical device and biopharmaceutical manufacturers makes it one of the deepest employer pools for this role in the country.
Which California cities have the most regulatory affairs manager jobs?
Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego account for the most regulatory affairs manager openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because of their dense clusters of biotechnology and medical device headquarters, while Los Angeles draws demand from pharmaceutical manufacturers and combination product companies with large Southern California operations.
Are there remote regulatory affairs manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of regulatory affairs manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves document preparation, submission strategy, and cross-functional coordination that does not require daily on-site presence. Roles focused on regulatory writing, labeling review, and agency correspondence are the most likely to carry a remote or hybrid designation.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into regulatory affairs from an adjacent quality, clinical, or laboratory role at a California life sciences company. Large employers such as Genentech, Abbott, and Medtronic regularly hire regulatory affairs associates and coordinators who come from quality assurance or clinical operations backgrounds. Earning the Regulatory Affairs Certification or completing a regulatory affairs certificate program offered through California institutions like UC San Diego Extension strengthens a profile considerably, and volunteering to assist with FDA submissions in a current role is the fastest way to build a credible portfolio.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and other markets. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs