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.

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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 Manager 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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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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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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See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Manager Jobs in California

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Regulatory Affairs Manager 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 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

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