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Director Quality Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PCI Pharma Services

Director, QC

San Diego, CA · On-site

The role oversees QC Chemistry, Method Transfers,Stability, Raw Materials, and Logistics operations supporting GMP manufacturing, release testing,investigations, and regulatory compliance. This ...

Socket.dev

Director, QC & Microbiology

San Diego, CA · On-site

$151 - $189/hr

The Director, QC & Microbiology provides strategic and operational leadership for the site's Quality Control Chemistry and Microbiology functions, ensuring scientific excellence, regulatory ...

New

Moderna Therapeutics

The Role The Associate Director, Quality Control Lab Automation Strategy & Digital Integration is responsible for leading the strategy, implementation, and lifecycle management of laboratory ...

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Director Quality Control information

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$124K

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How much do director quality control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director quality control in California is $123,956.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,800.00 and $149,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a director quality control, and how can they be addressed?

Directors of Quality Control often encounter challenges such as maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory standards, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring consistent product quality across multiple locations. To address these challenges, it's important to stay updated on industry regulations, foster open communication between departments, and implement robust training and quality management systems. Regular audits, data-driven decision making, and strong leadership are also key to overcoming obstacles and ensuring continuous improvement within quality control operations.

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

To thrive as a Director of Quality Control, you need deep expertise in quality assurance methodologies, regulatory compliance, and management, typically supported by a degree in science or engineering and substantial industry experience. Familiarity with quality management systems (QMS) like ISO 9001, Six Sigma certification, and proficiency in data analysis tools are often required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help drive cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement. These competencies ensure product quality, regulatory adherence, and operational excellence in highly regulated industries.

Is director quality control a good career path?

A career as a Director of Quality Control is considered stable and rewarding in industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food production. It involves overseeing quality assurance processes, managing teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards, often requiring strong leadership, analytical skills, and relevant certifications. The role offers opportunities for advancement and increased responsibility with experience.

What does a director of quality control do?

A director of quality control oversees the quality assurance processes within an organization, ensuring products or services meet company standards and regulatory requirements. They develop quality policies, lead testing and inspection activities, analyze data to identify issues, and coordinate with other departments to improve quality systems. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and knowledge of industry standards are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Quality Control jobs in California?

The most popular types of Quality Control jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Quality Control jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Quality Control job openings:

Director Quality Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Quality Control job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,956 per year, or $59.6 per hour.

Director, Quality Control

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Valid8 Financial, Inc.
Finance and Insurance • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Valid8 Financial, Inc.external

$190 - $230/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

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Job description

We are seeking a Director of Quality Control to lead and oversee QC strategy and execution in a fast-paced, research-driven biotech environment. This role will serve as the key liaison between JLSa2’s Analytical Development, Quality Assurance, and external CDMOs/testing laboratories to ensure that clinical-stage products are appropriately tested, compliant, phase appropriate, and safe for use. The role will report into the head of Quality. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in biologics—particularly peptide and bioconjugate modalities—and a deep understanding of analytical development, method transfer, and specification setting.

Key Responsibilities
  • Establish and build QC systems, processes, and infrastructure in a startup environment to support clinical development.
  • Build QC team or manage external CDMOs as appropriate; provide vendor or team oversight and manage performance.
  • Lead QC strategy for clinical-stage programs, ensuring appropriate testing, release, and stability support.
  • Serve as the primary QC interface between internal teams (Analytical Development, QA, CMC) and external CDMOs and testing laboratories.
  • Manage method lifecycle activities, including development alignment, qualification/validation, transfer, and lifecycle management at external labs.
  • Collaborate with Analytical Development to define and justify specifications, acceptance criteria, and control strategies.
  • Ensure GMP-compliant execution of release and stability testing at CDMOs and testing laboratories, including data review, trending, and issue resolution.
  • Partner with QA to support batch disposition, investigations (OOS/OOT), deviations, and change controls.
  • Be accountable for technical oversight for stability programs, including study design, data interpretation, and shelf-life assessments.
  • Support regulatory submissions (IND/IMPD) by contributing to Module 3 and responding to health authority questions as needed.
  • Drive continuous improvement of QC systems, processes, and external partnerships.
  • Trave to CDMO and testing labs as required to ensure operational excellence.
Technical Expertise
  • Strong knowledge of analytical techniques including HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, peptide mapping, and bioassays.
  • Experience with characterization and release testing for peptides, large molecules, and bioconjugates.
  • Deep understanding of method development, qualification/validation, and transfer to CDMOs or contract labs.
  • Expertise in setting specifications, acceptance criteria, and control strategies for clinical-stage products.
  • Familiarity with stability-indicating methods and degradation pathways.
  • Working knowledge of GMP requirements, data integrity, and regulatory expectations for QC testing.
Leadership & Operational Skills
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority in a matrixed environment.
  • Experience building and scaling QC operations, systems, and external partnerships in a startup or growth-stage company.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage timelines, priorities, and multiple external vendors simultaneously.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive issue resolution, including investigations (OOS/OOT), root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
  • Strategic thinker with a hands-on, execution-focused mindset.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment with evolving priorities.
Qualifications
  • Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with 10+ years of relevant experience in QC, Analytical Development, or related functions in biotech/pharma.
  • Strong experience with peptides, large molecules, and/or bioconjugates.
  • Deep understanding of analytical methods (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, bioassays) and method lifecycle management.
  • Demonstrated experience setting specifications and developing control strategies for clinical-stage products.
  • Proven track record of managing method transfers and working effectively with CDMOs and contract testing laboratories.
  • Solid knowledge of GMP requirements, regulatory expectations, and clinical development processes.
  • Experience with stability programs, data trending, and interpretation.
  • Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a startup environment.
Preferred Attributes
  • Prior experience in early-stage or startup biotech environments.
  • Hands-on experience supporting IND/IMPD filings and health authority interactions.
  • Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Salary Range: $190,000 to $230,000 (Compensation will be commensurate with experience/expertise/level and could fall outside of the stated range)

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