Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California
Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in life sciences, medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, with demand from entry-level regulatory coordinators through principal specialists. The largest hiring metros are San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, and Genentech maintain significant regulatory operations. The most in-demand specializations include FDA submissions, 510(k) and PMA filings, and combination product regulation. 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 Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California
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Find JobsSenior Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior 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 senior regulatory affairs specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, chemistry, or a related field required
- Five or more years of regulatory affairs experience in medical devices or pharmaceuticals
- Direct experience with FDA submissions including 510(k), PMA, or BLA filings
- Familiarity with California-based manufacturing site compliance and state CDPH requirements
- Proficiency with regulatory information management systems such as Veeva Vault
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with R&D, quality, and clinical teams
Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior regulatory affairs specialist in California?
Most senior regulatory affairs specialists in California start with a bachelor's degree in a life science, engineering, or health-related field, then build experience in regulatory coordination or quality assurance roles within the state's dense biotech or medical device sector. California does not issue a state license for regulatory affairs, but the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society offers the RAC credential, which California employers in the FDA-regulated device and pharma space consistently recognize as a mark of professional competency.
How much do senior regulatory affairs specialists make in California?
Senior 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 senior regulatory affairs specialists in California?
Employers hiring senior 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 FDA-regulated medical device and biopharmaceutical companies means regulatory talent is in consistent demand across both large multinationals and well-funded emerging companies.
Which California cities have the most senior regulatory affairs specialist jobs?
The cities with the most senior regulatory affairs specialist openings in California are Redwood City, Irvine, and San Diego. San Diego and the Bay Area lead because they anchor California's two largest life sciences and biotech clusters, while Los Angeles draws openings from a mix of diagnostics, combination products, and pharmaceutical companies that have established regulatory functions there.
Are there remote senior regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since regulatory work is primarily document-driven and does not require physical lab or manufacturing presence. About 50% of senior regulatory affairs specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader flexibility in this function. Submissions management, regulatory strategy, and labeling review are the sub-areas most consistently offered as fully remote.
How can I get hired as a senior regulatory affairs specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a regulatory affairs coordinator or quality assurance associate role at a California medical device or biotech company, where hands-on exposure to FDA filings begins immediately. Large California employers like Becton Dickinson and Align Technology hire quality and regulatory associates who grow into specialist roles internally. Pursuing the RAC credential while in an adjacent role, such as clinical operations, quality control, or technical writing, meaningfully accelerates the transition for candidates without direct submissions experience.
Where can I find and apply to senior regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior regulatory affairs specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring for this role. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 164+ Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in California
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