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Director Assay Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Director Assay Development information

See California salary details

$20.7K

$92.1K

$177.6K

How much do director assay development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for director assay development in California is $92,128.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director assay development do?

A Director of Assay Development leads teams responsible for designing, developing, and validating laboratory assays, which are tests used to detect or measure specific biological molecules. They oversee project timelines, ensure regulatory compliance, manage budgets, and collaborate with research, clinical, and commercial teams. This role often involves strategic planning, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring that assay products meet quality and performance standards necessary for clinical or research applications.

What are the primary challenges faced by a director assay development when leading cross-functional teams?

A Director of Assay Development often manages multidisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, and regulatory specialists. One of the main challenges is ensuring clear communication and alignment among team members with diverse expertise and priorities, especially when balancing scientific innovation with regulatory compliance and project timelines. Additionally, adapting to evolving technologies and customer requirements while maintaining assay robustness and reproducibility can be demanding. Effective leadership in this role requires fostering collaboration, efficiently resolving conflicts, and strategically prioritizing resources to meet both short-term milestones and long-term organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director assay development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Assay Development, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree (PhD or MS) and extensive experience in assay design and validation. Familiarity with laboratory automation, data analysis software, and regulatory standards such as CLIA or GLP is typically required. Leadership, project management, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies are crucial for ensuring robust assay performance, meeting regulatory requirements, and driving innovation within the organization.

What is the difference between Director Assay Development vs Senior Assay Scientist?

AspectDirector Assay DevelopmentSenior Assay Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degree (PhD or MS), leadership experienceMaster's or PhD, specialized technical expertise
Work EnvironmentLeadership, project management, cross-functional teamsLaboratory research, assay development, experimental work
Employer & IndustryBiotech, pharma, diagnostics companiesResearch labs, biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in assay developmentTechnical assay development and research roles

The main difference between a Director Assay Development and a Senior Assay Scientist lies in their responsibilities and experience. The Director oversees project strategy, manages teams, and interacts with upper management, while the Senior Assay Scientist focuses on hands-on assay development and technical research. Both roles require strong scientific credentials, but the director position emphasizes leadership and strategic planning.

What are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Assay Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Assay Development jobs in California?

For Director Assay Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Assay Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Assay Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Assay Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Assay Development job openings:

Director Assay Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Assay Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,128 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Associate Director, Assay Development Laboratory Operations

Albert Invent

Foster City, CA • On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Summary

The Director of Assay Development will be responsible for supporting and building a team to develop Adela’s cutting‑edge technology into commercial ready products. Starting with a complex assay to measure genome-wide analytes from blood, you will contribute to developing, optimizing, and validating the assay with the goal of transitioning it to a diagnostic test in the regulated and high‑throughput lab environment.

Responsibilities
  • Manage a team to support the development of products using Adela’s proprietary genome‑wide methylation analysis platform.
  • Lead assay feasibility, design & development, verification & validation, and transfer to laboratory operations using Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and aligned with CAP/CLIA requirements.
  • In collaboration with biostats/bioinformatics team and with alignment to CLSI guidelines and regulatory agencies, ensure appropriateness of sample sizes and acceptance criteria for analytical validation studies.
  • Ensure appropriate analysis and result interpretation for internal reports and as needed, for external publications (may include scientific meetings and support of manuscript development).
  • Troubleshoot assay workflows and optimize workflow components.
  • Responsible for managing large projects and/or multiple concurrent projects.
  • Contribute to budget planning and manage financial health of assay development projects.
  • Provide leadership to assay development staff.
  • Clearly and positively translate corporate objectives into departmental goals and team members’ individual contributions to assure team is informed, aligned and engaged.
  • Communicate freely and clearly to leadership about any issues and/or barriers that could delay or derail projects.
  • Maintain a positive culture by championing inclusion, respect and empathy toward all Adela teammates, as well as our collaborators, customers and community.
  • Keep up to date with the latest research related to clinical diagnostics, as appropriate.
Key Requirements
  • PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field. Relevant experience in biotech can make up for lack of an advanced degree.
  • 7 years post graduate or equivalent experience.
  • Knowledgeable of NGS chemistry and workflows.
  • Experienced managing laboratory staff in regulated clinical laboratory setting.
  • Clear oral and written communications skills. Ability to work cross‑functionally and tailor communication to audiences with varied levels of technical knowledge.
  • Familiarity with liquid handling instruments for use in high‑throughput laboratories.
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