Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs jobs in California represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, concentrated in life sciences, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals across the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Major employers with deep California roots include Johnson & Johnson, Genentech, and Edwards Lifesciences, with openings at every level from regulatory manager to senior director. The most sought-after specialties are FDA submissions strategy, combination products, and biologics regulatory affairs. 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+ Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs 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 senior director regulatory affairs jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field
- Minimum ten years of regulatory affairs experience in pharmaceuticals, biologics, or medical devices
- Demonstrated experience leading FDA submissions including NDAs, BLAs, PMAs, or 510(k)s
- Strong knowledge of applicable regulations including 21 CFR, ICH guidelines, and EU MDR
- Proven ability to lead and develop cross-functional regulatory teams in a matrix organization
- RAC certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society preferred by most California employers
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior director regulatory affairs in California?
Reaching a senior director regulatory affairs role in California typically requires an advanced degree in a life sciences discipline combined with extensive experience in FDA-regulated industries. Most California employers expect deep expertise in a specific product category such as biologics, combination products, or Class III devices. Earning the Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society strengthens candidacy. California's dense cluster of biotech and medtech companies means progression often moves through mid-level regulatory manager and director roles at companies in the Bay Area or San Diego corridor.
How much do senior director regulatory affairses make in California?
Senior director regulatory affairses 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 senior director regulatory affairss in California?
Employers hiring senior director regulatory affairss 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-regulated life sciences companies means openings appear consistently across both established pharmaceutical manufacturers and fast-growing biotech and medical device firms headquartered in the state.
Which California cities have the most senior director regulatory affairs jobs?
The cities with the most senior director regulatory affairs openings in California are Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego. The San Francisco Bay Area leads because of its massive biotech cluster anchored by companies like Genentech and Gilead, while San Diego's medtech and genomics sector drives strong demand there, and Los Angeles attracts openings from a broader mix of pharmaceutical and combination product companies.
Are there remote senior director regulatory affairs jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, given that regulatory affairs work is largely documentation, strategy, and agency communication rather than hands-on lab or manufacturing work. About 50% of senior director regulatory affairs openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the role. The functions most commonly performed remotely include submission writing, regulatory strategy development, and agency correspondence, while roles requiring close collaboration with clinical or manufacturing teams tend to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a senior director regulatory affairs in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a regulatory affairs associate or specialist role at a California-based biotech or medical device company, where you build direct FDA submission experience. Large California employers including Genentech, Abbott, and Intuitive Surgical run rotational programs and hire into junior regulatory roles that serve as the pipeline to senior leadership. Moving laterally from clinical affairs, quality assurance, or scientific affairs is a recognized route because those roles share regulatory touchpoints. Earning the Regulatory Affairs Certification early signals commitment and gives candidates from adjacent backgrounds a concrete credential edge.
Where can I find and apply to senior director regulatory affairs jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior director regulatory affairs jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings for this role. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 164+ Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California
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