Research Manager Jobs in California
Research Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, technology, higher education, and healthcare across a market that ranges from coordinator-level researchers to senior directors overseeing large teams. The heaviest hiring is in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Genentech, the University of California system, and Kaiser Permanente consistently bring on research managers across clinical, market, and policy specialties. The most in-demand sub-areas right now are clinical research management, UX and consumer insights research, and public health research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 162+ Research Manager jobs
INTRODUCTION
Replit is the agentic software creation platform that enables anyone to build applications using natural language. With millions of users worldwide, Replit is democratizing software development by removing traditional barriers to application creation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Consumer understanding is one of the most important and underdeveloped capabilities in Replit's growth motion. As Replit scales, the teams building product, running campaigns, and shaping the brand need a clear, sharp picture of who our users are, what they want, and why they choose Replit. We're looking for the person who will build that capability from the ground up.
You'll lead consumer insights and research across the Consumer and Brand Marketing organization, reporting directly to the Head of Consumer and Brand Marketing. You'll design and run research that actually changes decisions — primary qualitative and quantitative studies, brand tracking, competitive perception analysis, and fast-turnaround pulse research. You'll be the person in the room who says "here's what the user actually thinks" and can back it up.
This is the right role if you've built a consumer research practice from scratch, you're as comfortable running a focus group as you are building a quant survey, and you're energized by translating ambiguous questions into sharp insights that drive strategy.
- Own the consumer insights agenda: Define the insights and research roadmap across Consumer and Brand Marketing,
- Design and run primary research: Lead end-to-end qualitative and quantitative studies, including brand tracking, focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, creative concept tests
- Build the brand tracking program: Stand up Replit's brand health tracking program, measuring awareness, consideration, perception, and NPS
- Fast-turnaround pulse research: Run quick-turn surveys and intercepts to answer pressing campaign, product, and messaging questions on tight timelines
- Synthesize and communicate insights: Translate complex data into clear, compelling, and actionable findings for audiences ranging from ICs to the exec team
- Competitive and market intelligence: Track perception of competing platforms and AI tools; identify shifts in user sentiment and emerging competitor narratives before they become problems
- Build the research muscle: Establish methodologies, templates, and tooling that let the broader team run faster and smarter research over time
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- 8+ years of consumer insights or market research experience within consumer tech, B2C, or AI-adjacent companies
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute both qualitative and quantitative research end to end, from recruitment and methodology design through analysis and presentation
- Experience standing up or significantly scaling a research function, not just executing inside an established one
- Strong analytical skills: comfort with survey platforms, statistical significance, and basic data analysis; you can run a crosstab and know when to call a difference real vs. noise
- AI-native: actively using AI tools to scale research output, accelerate synthesis, or surface patterns
- Impeccable communication and storytelling: you can turn a dense research deck into a one-pager that changes how the team thinks about a decision
- Comfort working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; you can scope a study, run it, and deliver findings in days not weeks
- Experience with brand health tracking, competitive perception research, and campaign/creative effectiveness measurement studies
BONUS QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with creator, developer, or AI-native audiences
- Background at a product-led growth company where insights directly fed activation and retention strategy
- Familiarity with AI-assisted qual analysis tools
- Active Replit user, you've built and shipped something with the product
- Based in or able to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area
This is a full-time role that can be held from our Foster City, CA office. The role has an in-office requirement of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Competitive Salary & Equity
- 401(k) Program with a 4% match (US Only)
- Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- Short Term and Long Term Disability
- Paid Parental, Medical, Caregiver Leave
- Flexible Time Off (FTO) + Holidays
- Commuter Benefits (In-Office Only)
- Monthly Wellness Stipend
- Autonomous Work Environment
- In Office Set-Up Reimbursement (In-Office Only)
- Quarterly Team Gatherings
- In Office Amenities (In-Office Only)
COMPENSATION RANGE: $160K - $220K
To achieve our mission of making programming more accessible around the world, we need our team to be representative of the world. We welcome your unique perspective and experiences in shaping this product. We encourage people from all kinds of backgrounds to apply, including and especially candidates from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds.
INTRODUCTION
Replit is the agentic software creation platform that enables anyone to build applications using natural language. With millions of users worldwide, Replit is democratizing software development by removing traditional barriers to application creation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Consumer understanding is one of the most important and underdeveloped capabilities in Replit's growth motion. As Replit scales, the teams building product, running campaigns, and shaping the brand need a clear, sharp picture of who our users are, what they want, and why they choose Replit. We're looking for the person who will build that capability from the ground up.
You'll lead consumer insights and research across the Consumer and Brand Marketing organization, reporting directly to the Head of Consumer and Brand Marketing. You'll design and run research that actually changes decisions — primary qualitative and quantitative studies, brand tracking, competitive perception analysis, and fast-turnaround pulse research. You'll be the person in the room who says "here's what the user actually thinks" and can back it up.
This is the right role if you've built a consumer research practice from scratch, you're as comfortable running a focus group as you are building a quant survey, and you're energized by translating ambiguous questions into sharp insights that drive strategy.
- Own the consumer insights agenda: Define the insights and research roadmap across Consumer and Brand Marketing,
- Design and run primary research: Lead end-to-end qualitative and quantitative studies, including brand tracking, focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, creative concept tests
- Build the brand tracking program: Stand up Replit's brand health tracking program, measuring awareness, consideration, perception, and NPS
- Fast-turnaround pulse research: Run quick-turn surveys and intercepts to answer pressing campaign, product, and messaging questions on tight timelines
- Synthesize and communicate insights: Translate complex data into clear, compelling, and actionable findings for audiences ranging from ICs to the exec team
- Competitive and market intelligence: Track perception of competing platforms and AI tools; identify shifts in user sentiment and emerging competitor narratives before they become problems
- Build the research muscle: Establish methodologies, templates, and tooling that let the broader team run faster and smarter research over time
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- 8+ years of consumer insights or market research experience within consumer tech, B2C, or AI-adjacent companies
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute both qualitative and quantitative research end to end, from recruitment and methodology design through analysis and presentation
- Experience standing up or significantly scaling a research function, not just executing inside an established one
- Strong analytical skills: comfort with survey platforms, statistical significance, and basic data analysis; you can run a crosstab and know when to call a difference real vs. noise
- AI-native: actively using AI tools to scale research output, accelerate synthesis, or surface patterns
- Impeccable communication and storytelling: you can turn a dense research deck into a one-pager that changes how the team thinks about a decision
- Comfort working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; you can scope a study, run it, and deliver findings in days not weeks
- Experience with brand health tracking, competitive perception research, and campaign/creative effectiveness measurement studies
BONUS QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with creator, developer, or AI-native audiences
- Background at a product-led growth company where insights directly fed activation and retention strategy
- Familiarity with AI-assisted qual analysis tools
- Active Replit user, you've built and shipped something with the product
- Based in or able to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area
This is a full-time role that can be held from our Foster City, CA office. The role has an in-office requirement of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Competitive Salary & Equity
- 401(k) Program with a 4% match (US Only)
- Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- Short Term and Long Term Disability
- Paid Parental, Medical, Caregiver Leave
- Flexible Time Off (FTO) + Holidays
- Commuter Benefits (In-Office Only)
- Monthly Wellness Stipend
- Autonomous Work Environment
- In Office Set-Up Reimbursement (In-Office Only)
- Quarterly Team Gatherings
- In Office Amenities (In-Office Only)
COMPENSATION RANGE: $160K - $220K
To achieve our mission of making programming more accessible around the world, we need our team to be representative of the world. We welcome your unique perspective and experiences in shaping this product. We encourage people from all kinds of backgrounds to apply, including and especially candidates from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds.
See All 162+ Research Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Manager JobsResearch Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Lam Research44
- Zymo Research12
- Revolution Medicines7
- Anthropic5
- University of California - San Francisco5
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware46
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals36
- Technology & Software29
- Science & Research13
- Education11
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as life sciences, public health, or social sciences
- Three or more years of direct experience managing research projects or research staff
- Familiarity with California IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to design studies, analyze data, and present findings to senior stakeholders
- Experience with grant writing, budget oversight, or managing externally funded research programs
- Proficiency in statistical software such as R, SAS, or SPSS and strong written communication skills
Research Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research manager in California?
Most research managers in California start with a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, psychology, public health, or social sciences, then move into a coordinator or analyst role to build hands-on project experience. Clinical research managers working on human-subjects trials typically need completion of CITI Program training and familiarity with California IRB registration requirements. A master's degree accelerates advancement in academic and healthcare settings, while professional certifications such as the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Professional credential are increasingly expected at larger California research institutions.
How much do research managers make in California?
Research managers in California earn a median of about $210,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $130,730 for the lowest 10% to over $330,050 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research managers in California?
Employers hiring research managers in California right now include Lam Research, Zymo Research, and Revolution Medicines, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of biotechnology firms in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area, combined with large academic medical centers and public university campuses across the state, means demand stays consistent throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most research manager jobs?
Fremont, San Francisco, and Tustin have the most research manager openings in California. San Francisco and San Diego are driven by the state's concentration of biotech, clinical research, and technology employers, while Los Angeles supports a broad mix of healthcare systems, entertainment research, and academic institutions such as UCLA and USC that generate steady demand.
Are there remote research manager jobs in California?
Yes, and they are more available than in many fields, since a significant portion of research management involves data analysis, literature review, team coordination, and reporting that can be done remotely. About 27% of research manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, though roles requiring oversight of in-person lab work or clinical trial sites are more likely to require on-site presence. Market research, public policy research, and UX research management roles tend to offer the most location flexibility.
How can I get hired as a research manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research coordinator or research associate role at a California hospital system, public university, or biotechnology company, where you build hands-on study management experience before stepping into a manager title. Large California employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Health Care, and the UC system run formal research coordinator programs that accept recent graduates with relevant degrees. Completing CITI Program certification and gaining experience with IRB submissions strengthens your application considerably, and a master's degree in public health, clinical research, or a related field gives you a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to research manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to research manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers that interest you.
See All 162+ Research Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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