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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Overview

Open roles164+
Top employerRevolution Medicines
Top cityRedwood City, CA
Cities hiring47
Work type50% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 164+ Senior Director Regulatory Affairs 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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Added 3d ago
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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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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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+ Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Jobs in California

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Senior Director Regulatory Affairs 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

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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