Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California
Regulatory Affairs Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in life sciences, medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals across a seniority range from entry-level regulatory associate through senior principal. The largest hiring metros are San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Gilead Sciences, and Johnson and Johnson maintain significant California operations. Demand is strongest for specialists with expertise in FDA submissions, 510(k) pathways, and combination product regulations. 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 Specialist Jobs in California
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Find JobsRegulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, pharmacy, or a related scientific field
- Experience with FDA submissions including 510(k), PMA, BLA, or NDA filings
- Working knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, Part 820, and ISO 13485 quality standards
- Familiarity with California Department of Public Health requirements for medical product manufacturers
- Proficiency with regulatory information management systems such as Veeva Vault or MasterControl
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing regulatory strategies, dossiers, and labeling documents
Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs specialist in California?
Most regulatory affairs specialists in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, pharmacy, biomedical engineering, or a closely related science. California employers strongly favor candidates who have earned the Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. Many also pursue a master's degree in regulatory science, a program offered by several University of California campuses and USC, to move into senior roles faster.
How much do regulatory affairs specialists make in California?
Regulatory affairs specialists 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 specialists in California?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs specialists in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Abbott, and Gilead Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of medical device and biopharmaceutical headquarters, particularly in San Diego's Torrey Pines corridor and the Bay Area, means a steady volume of openings across both large corporations and well-funded clinical-stage companies.
Which California cities have the most regulatory affairs specialist jobs?
The cities with the most regulatory affairs specialist openings in California are Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego. San Diego and the Bay Area dominate because they anchor California's two largest life sciences clusters, while Los Angeles draws consistent demand from its growing medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing base.
Are there remote regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most scientific roles, because much of the work involves document review, dossier preparation, and agency correspondence rather than lab or manufacturing floor presence. About 50% of regulatory affairs specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how document-driven the role is. Submissions management, labeling review, and regulatory strategy work are the functions most commonly offered remotely.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a regulatory affairs associate or coordinator role, which large California medical device and biotech employers post specifically for candidates without direct regulatory experience. Companies like Becton Dickinson and Hologic, both with California operations, regularly hire science graduates into associate programs that rotate through submissions, labeling, and compliance teams. A relevant internship completed through a UC San Diego or UCSF regulatory science program, or lateral experience in quality assurance or clinical operations, is the credential that opens the door most reliably.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and combination products. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 164+ Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California
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