Regulatory Affairs Lead Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Regulatory Affairs Lead roles regularly qualify for H-1B and O-1 visa sponsorship, as the position meets USCIS specialty occupation standards. Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a life sciences, chemistry, or engineering field, and many sponsor green cards through the EB-2 or EB-3 pathway. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
The Health group is looking for an International Regulatory Affairs Lead to head a team responsible for international expansion of Apple Health’s regulated medical device features. If you are passionate about the health space and want to have an incredible impact here at Apple, this could be the role for you. We are an efficient organization who works closely together to build relationships across multiple functional teams. We care deeply about getting amazing new products into our customers' hands across the globe.
DESCRIPTION
You will be the primary leadership team member on the Health Regulatory Affairs team representing the team on a diverse array of initiatives and new product development programs, with the goal of marketing new technologies in all of Apple’s international geographies. You will develop a variety of solutions to regulatory challenges and will exercise independent judgment in settling and communicating appropriate regulatory/quality strategy, actions and requirements, while overseeing a team of global regulatory experts across all geographies. This role will involve leading assessments of regulatory impact for new and modified wellness, Class I, II and III products, including identification of assumptions/risks/mitigations to develop and execute clear regulatory plans across the globe. In this leadership role, you will also:
-
Represent the Health Regulatory Affairs team in Executive meetings and reviews for topics representing our international expansion work.
-
Identify regulatory trends and opportunities that impact the strategic direction of Apple Health, and establish / implement plans that ensure sustained growth of business in region.
-
Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators and trade groups, across key global markets.
-
Partner with cross-functional partners including Legal, Government Affairs, Policy, Quality and other external stakeholders.
-
Set frameworks for technical writing, including distilling complex information into geo-specific filings, submissions, slides and other communication formats.
-
Execute complex gap analyses for products/programs against global regulations, standards and guidance in order to drive RA/QA strategy for international expansion programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
-
B.S. degree or equivalent in a life science, legal or business discipline.
-
10+ years of medical device experience in a regulatory and/or quality executive role, with at least 5+ years focused in leading and overseeing international programs.
-
Proven track record in overseeing a large scope of international regulatory affairs matters including regulatory approvals, submissions, launch strategy.
-
Experience leading global team of regulatory professionals, including establishing organizational objectives and proven success delivering as a team.
-
Significant experience in crafting strategy interactions with regulatory health authorities in the US and abroad.
-
Demonstrable track record of receiving regulatory approvals for complex products - including software medical devices - globally, across US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other regions.
-
Deep expertise in developing global product submissions including STED, CDST and other global templates.
-
Strong working knowledge of US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other global regulations that affect Class I, II and III devices.
-
Strong knowledge of clinical investigations, validations and GCP requirements in the US and abroad.
-
Significant expertise in global quality standards, including ISO 13485, ISO 14155, and related technical product-specific standards.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-
M.S./PhD/post-secondary education preferred.
-
Demonstrable background in being autonomous and being able to clearly work towards established goals and initiatives with minimal oversight.
-
Proven competence in determination of appropriate global regulatory requirements for new products or product changes.
-
Partnering with and across a broad swath of other Apple teams to set regulatory/quality strategy and “look around corners” to anticipate business impact.
-
Strong organizational and management skills.
-
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
-
Comfortable with presenting assessments and information to broad, multi-disciplinary teams.
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $214,000 and $356,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.

INTRODUCTION
The Health group is looking for an International Regulatory Affairs Lead to head a team responsible for international expansion of Apple Health’s regulated medical device features. If you are passionate about the health space and want to have an incredible impact here at Apple, this could be the role for you. We are an efficient organization who works closely together to build relationships across multiple functional teams. We care deeply about getting amazing new products into our customers' hands across the globe.
DESCRIPTION
You will be the primary leadership team member on the Health Regulatory Affairs team representing the team on a diverse array of initiatives and new product development programs, with the goal of marketing new technologies in all of Apple’s international geographies. You will develop a variety of solutions to regulatory challenges and will exercise independent judgment in settling and communicating appropriate regulatory/quality strategy, actions and requirements, while overseeing a team of global regulatory experts across all geographies. This role will involve leading assessments of regulatory impact for new and modified wellness, Class I, II and III products, including identification of assumptions/risks/mitigations to develop and execute clear regulatory plans across the globe. In this leadership role, you will also:
-
Represent the Health Regulatory Affairs team in Executive meetings and reviews for topics representing our international expansion work.
-
Identify regulatory trends and opportunities that impact the strategic direction of Apple Health, and establish / implement plans that ensure sustained growth of business in region.
-
Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators and trade groups, across key global markets.
-
Partner with cross-functional partners including Legal, Government Affairs, Policy, Quality and other external stakeholders.
-
Set frameworks for technical writing, including distilling complex information into geo-specific filings, submissions, slides and other communication formats.
-
Execute complex gap analyses for products/programs against global regulations, standards and guidance in order to drive RA/QA strategy for international expansion programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
-
B.S. degree or equivalent in a life science, legal or business discipline.
-
10+ years of medical device experience in a regulatory and/or quality executive role, with at least 5+ years focused in leading and overseeing international programs.
-
Proven track record in overseeing a large scope of international regulatory affairs matters including regulatory approvals, submissions, launch strategy.
-
Experience leading global team of regulatory professionals, including establishing organizational objectives and proven success delivering as a team.
-
Significant experience in crafting strategy interactions with regulatory health authorities in the US and abroad.
-
Demonstrable track record of receiving regulatory approvals for complex products - including software medical devices - globally, across US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other regions.
-
Deep expertise in developing global product submissions including STED, CDST and other global templates.
-
Strong working knowledge of US, EU, APAC, LATAM, ASEAN and other global regulations that affect Class I, II and III devices.
-
Strong knowledge of clinical investigations, validations and GCP requirements in the US and abroad.
-
Significant expertise in global quality standards, including ISO 13485, ISO 14155, and related technical product-specific standards.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-
M.S./PhD/post-secondary education preferred.
-
Demonstrable background in being autonomous and being able to clearly work towards established goals and initiatives with minimal oversight.
-
Proven competence in determination of appropriate global regulatory requirements for new products or product changes.
-
Partnering with and across a broad swath of other Apple teams to set regulatory/quality strategy and “look around corners” to anticipate business impact.
-
Strong organizational and management skills.
-
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
-
Comfortable with presenting assessments and information to broad, multi-disciplinary teams.
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $214,000 and $356,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Regulatory Affairs Lead
Lead with your regulatory submissions experience
Employers sponsoring Regulatory Affairs Leads want concrete evidence of FDA, EMA, or equivalent agency submissions. Quantify submissions you've led, INDs, NDAs, 510(k)s, so hiring managers can immediately assess your fit and sponsorship value.
Understand your degree's role in the specialty occupation argument
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and regulatory affairs work. Degrees in pharmacy, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or chemistry are the strongest fit. Unrelated degrees create risk at the I-129 stage, even with strong experience.
Target employers with an established H-1B filing history
Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and contract research organizations file H-1B petitions regularly for this role. Prioritizing employers with a documented sponsorship track record significantly reduces the risk of a first-time denial.
Document your role-specific expertise for the RFE scenario
USCIS issues Requests for Evidence for regulatory roles when the job duties seem broad. Keep a file of past regulatory submissions, internal SOPs you've authored, and agency correspondence you've managed, these records are invaluable if your employer needs to respond.
Clarify your authorization status before the offer stage
Disclosing your visa needs early avoids wasted time with employers unwilling to sponsor. Most regulated-industry employers expect sponsorship requests from Regulatory Affairs candidates and factor processing timelines into their hiring plans from the start.
Regulatory Affairs Lead jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Regulatory Affairs Lead role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Regulatory Affairs Lead consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field, typically pharmacy, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related life science. USCIS scrutinizes job descriptions that appear generalist, so the petition should emphasize submission-specific duties and the technical degree requirement rather than broad management responsibilities.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Regulatory Affairs Leads?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, biologics companies, medical device firms, and contract research organizations are the most active sponsors for this role. Large companies like those in the Fortune 500 pharma sector file regularly, but mid-size device and biotech companies also sponsor frequently given the specialized talent shortage. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for Regulatory Affairs Lead roles at visa-sponsoring employers directly.
Can I qualify for an O-1A visa as a Regulatory Affairs Lead?
It's possible but requires a strong record beyond standard job performance. O-1A requires demonstrated extraordinary ability, peer-reviewed publications on regulatory science, invited presentations at industry conferences, membership on FDA advisory panels, or published guidance contributions would strengthen a petition. A regulatory career that has stayed internal to one company, without external recognition, is unlikely to meet the O-1A bar.
How long does H-1B to green card sponsorship typically take for this role?
For most Regulatory Affairs Leads, the PERM labor certification process takes 12 to 18 months, followed by I-140 approval (6 to 8 months without premium processing). Priority date waiting times then depend heavily on your country of birth. Indian-born applicants face multi-year waits in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, while applicants born outside India and China often see significantly shorter timelines.
Does my three-year bachelor's degree qualify for H-1B sponsorship in this field?
A three-year bachelor's degree can qualify if USCIS accepts it as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree, which often requires a credentials evaluation from a recognized assessment organization. For Regulatory Affairs roles, the field of study matters as much as the degree length. A three-year degree in pharmacy or chemistry from an accredited institution generally evaluates favorably; a general science or unrelated degree in any format creates greater petition risk.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Regulatory Affairs Lead jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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