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Drug Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Development information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$76.4K

$131.3K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in California is $76,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drug Development vs Pharmacologist?

AspectDrug DevelopmentPharmacologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related fields; often requires experience in clinical trialsDegree in Pharmacology, Pharmacy, or related fields; may require licensing or certification for clinical practice
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sitesResearch labs, hospitals, academic institutions, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageDeveloping new drugs, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory submissionsStudying drug effects, mechanisms, safety, and efficacy; advising on drug use

While both roles are integral to the pharmaceutical industry, Drug Development focuses on creating and bringing new drugs to market through research, testing, and regulatory processes. Pharmacologists primarily study how drugs interact with biological systems, often working in research or clinical settings to understand drug effects and safety. The two roles often collaborate but differ in their core responsibilities and career focus.

How much does drug development make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and project managers, typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while senior roles or specialized positions can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech hubs or with advanced certifications.

Is drug discovery a good career?

Drug discovery is a vital part of drug development, involving identifying potential new medications through research and laboratory work. It requires strong scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and often collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The field offers opportunities for innovation and growth, but can also involve long hours and high-pressure environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Drug Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drug Development, you need a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, or chemistry, often supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or MSc). Familiarity with regulatory compliance, clinical trial management systems, and data analysis software such as SAS or R is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help professionals excel in this multidisciplinary field. These competencies ensure that new drugs are developed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory standards.

What degree do you need to get into drug development?

Drug development professionals typically need at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related disciplines. Advanced roles often require a master's or doctoral degree, along with laboratory skills and knowledge of regulatory processes.

What is drug development?

Drug development is the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to market. It involves several stages, including drug discovery, preclinical research, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. Each stage is designed to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the drug before it can be made available to patients. The entire process can take several years and requires collaboration between scientists, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

What are the typical stages of collaboration between different teams in a drug development role?

In drug development, professionals regularly collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists, clinical trial coordinators, regulatory affairs specialists, and manufacturing experts. Early stages involve close work with research and discovery teams to identify promising compounds, followed by coordination with clinical teams during trial phases, and finally with regulatory and production teams as the drug moves toward approval and commercialization. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are essential, as each stage relies on timely data sharing and joint problem-solving to navigate complex challenges.
What are popular job titles related to Drug Development jobs in California? For Drug Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Drug Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Drug Development job openings:
Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,424 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Vice President of Preclinical Drug Development

Vice President of Preclinical Drug Development

Kelly Services

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Vice President of Preclinical and Clinical Development opportunity with one of our clients, a leading non-profit translational research institute in San Diego, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology industry.
Workplace: Onsite in San Diego, CA
Position Title: Vice President, Preclinical and Clinical Development
Salary range: 300,000-320,000/year
Are you ready to shape the future of medicine at the intersection of world-class biomedical science and breakthrough innovation? Join a cutting-edge nonprofit translational research institute driven to accelerate new drug development and transform patient outcomes, spanning a diverse range of human diseases.
Position Summary
We seek an accomplished and visionary Vice President of Preclinical & Clinical Development to drive strategy and execution across the full continuum of preclinical drug development. This senior, on-site executive will provide scientific and operational leadership for in vivo pharmacology, efficacy, toxicology, and ADME/PK, bringing early-stage therapeutic candidates from discovery through IND filing and into early clinical trials.
This is a rare opportunity to lead talented, cross-functional teams in both small molecule and biologics programs, with responsibility for guiding foundational research, developing robust IND-enabling packages, and shaping drug development strategy for a dynamic, high-impact portfolio.
Responsibilities
  • Lead scientific and strategic direction for all preclinical pharmacology, efficacy, toxicology, and ADME/PK activities.
  • Oversee the integration of preclinical data to drive lead optimization, candidate selection, dose determination, and seamless clinical translation.
  • Champion multidisciplinary program advancement by collaborating with chemistry, biology, DMPK, CMC, regulatory, and clinical teams.
  • Ensure compliance with GLP standards and regulatory guidelines.
  • Prepare and present IND filings, manage regulatory interactions, and contribute meaningfully to development strategy.
  • Manage and optimize relationships with CROs, ensuring scientific excellence and operational efficiency across outsourced programs.
  • Build, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Communicate program strategies, results, and recommendations to stakeholders, leadership, and external review boards.
  • Provide insightful input to portfolio strategy, program reviews, and key organizational decisions.
Qualifications
  • PhD in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cell Biology, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience.
  • Proven success advancing both small molecules and biologics through preclinical development, IND-enabling studies, and early clinical trials.
  • Deep hands-on and leadership experience with in vivo pharmacology, efficacy models, toxicology, and ADME/PK.
  • Expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex portfolios in a fast-paced R&D setting.
  • Strong knowledge of GLP/GMP regulations and regulatory expectations for IND submissions.
  • Extensive experience with CRO management and outsourced research.
  • Exceptional scientific judgment, communication, and cross-functional influence.
  • Previous senior leadership or executive experience preferred.
  • Full-time, on-site presence required.
  • Ability to lead large organizations while maintaining hands-on scientific engagement.
Comprehensive Benefits
  • Highly competitive compensation, including eligibility for both short-term and long-term incentive bonus programs.
  • Employer-contributed retirement plans with optional 403(b) contributions.
  • Robust health and welfare benefits, including multiple medical plan options, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, and EAP.
  • Flexible spending account options (medical/dependent care).
  • Generous vacation and sick leave policies.
  • Complimentary on-site parking.
#P1
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals-it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
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