Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, and consumer health, from senior director to VP and C-suite-adjacent levels, with specializations in drug development, combination products, and global regulatory strategy. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists
Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products for treatment of vascular disease. Our extensive portfolio includes drug-eluting stents, bare metal stents, guide wires, balloon dilatation catheters, imaging catheters and software, vessel closure devices and peripheral stents.
The Opportunity
Abbott is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist to join our Vascular Division team on-site in Santa Clara, CA or Temecula, CA. In this role, you will provide regulatory leadership for a portfolio of endovascular medical devices used in the treatment of peripheral artery disease and support global regulatory strategies throughout the product lifecycle. The Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist will manage complex regulatory activities, including on-market product support, product development projects, lifecycle management initiatives, regulatory assessments, and global submissions. This individual will serve as a key regulatory partner to cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making by interpreting regulatory requirements, evaluating business risks, and developing practical regulatory solutions. The candidate will have demonstrated experience preparing and executing regulatory strategies, supporting interactions with regulatory authorities and notified bodies, and successfully obtaining regulatory approvals for medical devices in the U.S., E.U. and other international markets.
What You’ll Work On
- Develop and execute global regulatory strategies to support product changes, manufacturing transfers, lifecycle management activities, new product development, and business objectives.
- Independently prepare regulatory submissions and documentation for medical devices.
- Lead regulatory assessments for design, manufacturing, supplier, labeling, and process changes to determine global regulatory requirements and submission strategies.
- Review and approve engineering change orders, protocols, reports, specifications, risk management documentation, validation documents, and other project-related records.
- Support and maintain U.S. and international product registrations, licenses, approvals, and technical documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
- Serve as the regulatory lead on cross-functional project teams, providing strategic guidance throughout product development and commercialization activities.
- Interpret and apply global regulatory requirements, standards, guidance documents, and industry best practices to support business needs.
- Prepare and maintain FDA submissions, including 510(k)s, PMAs, PMA supplements, and other required submissions, as applicable.
- Support EU MDR regulatory activities, including Technical Documentation updates, change assessments, and notified body interactions.
- Collaborate with Regulatory Operations, Quality, Clinical, R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other functional groups to ensure timely execution of regulatory deliverables.
- Analyze evolving regulatory requirements and provide recommendations regarding business impact, compliance risks, and implementation plans.
- Support regulatory authority and notified body inspections, audits, inquiries, and responses.
- Support all company initiatives in accordance with Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Maintain compliance with FDA regulations, international regulations, company policies, procedures, and quality requirements.
- Maintain positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.
- Act as liaison between the Company and the various regulatory agencies. Interfaces directly with FDA and Notified Bodies.
- May manage direct reports or serve as mentor to other regulatory affairs specialists
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Scientific discipline e.g. Chemistry, life Sciences, Biology (or equivalent vocational qualifications)
- Experienced in regulatory submissions for Pharmaceutical, In vitro diagnostic devices and/or medical devices.
- Experience of working within the requirements of 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC) and/or the IVD Directive (98/79/EC).
Preferred Qualifications
- 6-8 years experience in medical device industry with experience working with Class II and/or Class III devices.
- Regulatory affairs professional experience supporting medical devices.
- Experience leading regulatory activities for cardiovascular, endovascular, peripheral vascular, implantable, catheter-based, or other complex medical device technologies.
- Certification is a plus (such as RAC from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society).
- Must be able to manage multiple and competing priorities and manage programs with minimal oversight.
- Has a strong attention-to-detail
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and organizational skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Working knowledge of QSR, ISO, and EN standards. Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements for US, EU (EU MDR), and other international geographies.
- Experience authoring and submitting Traditional, Special, or Abbreviated 510(k)s; PMAs; PMA supplements; IDEs; or other FDA submissions.
- Experience supporting EU MDR (2017/745) Technical Documentation, change notifications, clinical evaluation documentation, or notified body interactions.
- Knowledge of global regulatory requirements and submission pathways outside the United States and European Union; in particular highly regulated countries such as China, Canada, Australia, or Brazil.
- Experience participating in regulatory authority inspections, notified body audits, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
- Experience reviewing risk-based regulatory assessments and supporting product risk management activities in accordance with ISO 14971.
- Experience reviewing clinical data.
- Experience with electronic document management systems (EDMS), product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, eQMS platforms, and change control processes.
- Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Experience managing direct reports or dotted line manager to regulatory affairs specialists
- Ability to leverage, manage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.
- Applies critical thinking to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
- Ability to identify risk areas and escalate issues as appropriate.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists
Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products for treatment of vascular disease. Our extensive portfolio includes drug-eluting stents, bare metal stents, guide wires, balloon dilatation catheters, imaging catheters and software, vessel closure devices and peripheral stents.
The Opportunity
Abbott is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist to join our Vascular Division team on-site in Santa Clara, CA or Temecula, CA. In this role, you will provide regulatory leadership for a portfolio of endovascular medical devices used in the treatment of peripheral artery disease and support global regulatory strategies throughout the product lifecycle. The Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist will manage complex regulatory activities, including on-market product support, product development projects, lifecycle management initiatives, regulatory assessments, and global submissions. This individual will serve as a key regulatory partner to cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making by interpreting regulatory requirements, evaluating business risks, and developing practical regulatory solutions. The candidate will have demonstrated experience preparing and executing regulatory strategies, supporting interactions with regulatory authorities and notified bodies, and successfully obtaining regulatory approvals for medical devices in the U.S., E.U. and other international markets.
What You’ll Work On
- Develop and execute global regulatory strategies to support product changes, manufacturing transfers, lifecycle management activities, new product development, and business objectives.
- Independently prepare regulatory submissions and documentation for medical devices.
- Lead regulatory assessments for design, manufacturing, supplier, labeling, and process changes to determine global regulatory requirements and submission strategies.
- Review and approve engineering change orders, protocols, reports, specifications, risk management documentation, validation documents, and other project-related records.
- Support and maintain U.S. and international product registrations, licenses, approvals, and technical documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
- Serve as the regulatory lead on cross-functional project teams, providing strategic guidance throughout product development and commercialization activities.
- Interpret and apply global regulatory requirements, standards, guidance documents, and industry best practices to support business needs.
- Prepare and maintain FDA submissions, including 510(k)s, PMAs, PMA supplements, and other required submissions, as applicable.
- Support EU MDR regulatory activities, including Technical Documentation updates, change assessments, and notified body interactions.
- Collaborate with Regulatory Operations, Quality, Clinical, R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other functional groups to ensure timely execution of regulatory deliverables.
- Analyze evolving regulatory requirements and provide recommendations regarding business impact, compliance risks, and implementation plans.
- Support regulatory authority and notified body inspections, audits, inquiries, and responses.
- Support all company initiatives in accordance with Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Maintain compliance with FDA regulations, international regulations, company policies, procedures, and quality requirements.
- Maintain positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.
- Act as liaison between the Company and the various regulatory agencies. Interfaces directly with FDA and Notified Bodies.
- May manage direct reports or serve as mentor to other regulatory affairs specialists
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Scientific discipline e.g. Chemistry, life Sciences, Biology (or equivalent vocational qualifications)
- Experienced in regulatory submissions for Pharmaceutical, In vitro diagnostic devices and/or medical devices.
- Experience of working within the requirements of 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC) and/or the IVD Directive (98/79/EC).
Preferred Qualifications
- 6-8 years experience in medical device industry with experience working with Class II and/or Class III devices.
- Regulatory affairs professional experience supporting medical devices.
- Experience leading regulatory activities for cardiovascular, endovascular, peripheral vascular, implantable, catheter-based, or other complex medical device technologies.
- Certification is a plus (such as RAC from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society).
- Must be able to manage multiple and competing priorities and manage programs with minimal oversight.
- Has a strong attention-to-detail
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and organizational skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Working knowledge of QSR, ISO, and EN standards. Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements for US, EU (EU MDR), and other international geographies.
- Experience authoring and submitting Traditional, Special, or Abbreviated 510(k)s; PMAs; PMA supplements; IDEs; or other FDA submissions.
- Experience supporting EU MDR (2017/745) Technical Documentation, change notifications, clinical evaluation documentation, or notified body interactions.
- Knowledge of global regulatory requirements and submission pathways outside the United States and European Union; in particular highly regulated countries such as China, Canada, Australia, or Brazil.
- Experience participating in regulatory authority inspections, notified body audits, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
- Experience reviewing risk-based regulatory assessments and supporting product risk management activities in accordance with ISO 14971.
- Experience reviewing clinical data.
- Experience with electronic document management systems (EDMS), product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, eQMS platforms, and change control processes.
- Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Experience managing direct reports or dotted line manager to regulatory affairs specialists
- Ability to leverage, manage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.
- Applies critical thinking to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
- Ability to identify risk areas and escalate issues as appropriate.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSenior Director Regulatory Affairs Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Revolution Medicines18
- Abbott16
- Gilead Sciences9
- Stryker8
- Boehringer Ingelheim7
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals74
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Medical Devices14
- Consulting & Professional Services8
- Distribution & Wholesale6
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior director regulatory affairs jobs.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field
- 10 or more years of regulatory affairs experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device sectors
- Direct experience leading FDA submissions such as NDAs, BLAs, 510(k)s, or PMAs
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and lead regulatory strategy across product lifecycles
- Familiarity with ICH guidelines, 21 CFR regulations, and international regulatory frameworks
- Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from RAPS preferred or required by many employers
Tips for Your Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Job Search
Tailor your resume to submission types
Hiring managers want to see which submission types you've owned, whether NDAs, BLAs, 510(k)s, or PMAs. List the specific pathway, the product type, and whether you led the strategy or the execution. Generic regulatory experience won't differentiate you at the director level.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists senior director regulatory affairs openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Quantify your regulatory approval outcomes
Approvals, timelines compressed, and submissions completed are the metrics that resonate with hiring committees. If you've reduced a submission cycle from 18 months to 12, say so. Directors who can translate regulatory work into business outcomes stand out against candidates who list only responsibilities.
Target openings by agency interaction level
Some roles are primarily internal, while others require frequent FDA meetings, Type B interactions, or agency correspondence. Identify which type fits your background and filter accordingly when you search, so your cover letter speaks directly to the scope the employer actually needs.
Prepare a 90-day regulatory plan for interviews
Senior director interviews often include a strategic scenario: how would you assess the regulatory posture here and what would you prioritize? Preparing a brief, structured framework, covering pipeline review, SOP gaps, and agency relationship audit, gives you a concrete answer ready to go.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate title
At this level, reporting structure and budget authority matter as much as compensation. Before your final interview round, clarify whether the role owns the regulatory strategy or executes someone else's, and whether you'd have direct FDA communication authority. Misalignment on scope is a common reason senior hires leave within the first year.
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most senior director regulatory affairss?
The companies hiring the most senior director regulatory affairss right now include Revolution Medicines, Abbott, and Gilead Sciences, with the largest share of openings in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical device companies consistently account for the majority of postings at this level.
How many senior director regulatory affairs jobs are remote?
About 63% of senior director regulatory affairs openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the document-intensive and meeting-heavy nature of the role. Positions focused on regulatory strategy, submissions management, and policy tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while roles requiring frequent lab or manufacturing site presence are more commonly on-site.
How do you become a senior director regulatory affairs?
Most senior directors start with a life sciences degree, then build hands-on experience in regulatory roles at the associate or manager level before advancing to director. Earning a Regulatory Affairs Certification from RAPS strengthens your candidacy. Leading at least one major submission from strategy through approval, and developing experience managing a regulatory team, are the milestones that typically precede promotion to senior director.
Can you get hired as a senior director regulatory affairs without direct leadership experience?
It's uncommon to be hired as a senior director without prior people management experience, but some companies will promote strong individual contributors who have led cross-functional submission teams or served as regulatory lead on a complex program. If you're missing formal direct reports, emphasize project leadership, mentorship of junior staff, and any instances where you set regulatory strategy across an organization. Smaller companies and startups are more open to candidates building toward the full leadership profile.
What does the senior director regulatory affairs interview process look like?
The process typically involves an initial screen with a recruiter or HR partner, followed by a technical interview with the VP of Regulatory or Chief Regulatory Officer focused on submission experience and agency interaction history. A panel round with cross-functional peers from clinical, legal, and commercial is common. Final rounds often include a strategic presentation or case study where you walk through how you'd approach the regulatory posture for a pipeline asset or product issue.
Where can I find and apply to senior director regulatory affairs jobs?
You can find and apply to senior director regulatory affairs jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your submission expertise, therapeutic area, and preferred work arrangement, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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