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Operational Risk Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Waymo

Operational Risk Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$159K - $196K/yr

Day-to-Day Risk Management: Oversee continuous monitoring of operational risks, lead root cause investigations, and ensure compliance with our Safety Management System (SMS) and risk frameworks.

East West Bank

Risk & Control Manager

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$70K - $130K/yr

This role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders and partners with Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, Operations, and Technology teams to strengthen the control ...

East West Bank

Risk & Control Manager

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

This role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders and partners with Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, Operations, and Technology teams to strengthen the control ...

East West Bank

Risk & Control Manager

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

This role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders and partners with Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, Operations, and Technology teams to strengthen the control ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Oakland, CA

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Oakland, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Oakland, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

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All JobsOperational Risk Management JobsOperational Risk Management Jobs in California

Operational Risk Management information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$119.1K

$233.9K

How much do operational risk management jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for operational risk management in California is $119,125.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $156,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is operational risk management?

Operational risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks that arise from an organization’s day-to-day operations. These risks can include system failures, human errors, fraud, or external events that could disrupt business processes. Effective operational risk management helps organizations minimize losses and ensure business continuity by implementing controls, monitoring processes, and developing contingency plans. It is an essential component of overall risk management in industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in operational risk management, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Operational Risk Management often face challenges such as identifying emerging risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a risk-aware culture across departments. These challenges can be addressed by staying updated on industry regulations, implementing robust risk assessment tools, and promoting open communication with business units. Regular training and collaboration with other risk management functions also help in proactively managing potential operational threats and ensuring organizational resilience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operational risk manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operational Risk Manager, you need strong analytical abilities, knowledge of risk assessment frameworks, and typically a degree in finance, business, or a related field. Familiarity with risk management software, regulatory compliance systems, and certifications like FRM or ORM are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills help you influence business processes and foster a risk-aware culture. These skills ensure the effective identification, mitigation, and communication of risks, safeguarding organizational assets and compliance.

What is the difference between Operational Risk Management vs Risk Analyst?

AspectOperational Risk ManagementRisk Analyst
CredentialsCertifications like FRM, CRM, or RIMS; relevant degrees in finance, risk management, or businessSimilar certifications; degrees in finance, economics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, financial institutions, or industries with risk management departmentsFinancial firms, consulting agencies, or corporate risk teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across banking, insurance, and large corporations to manage operational risksCommonly employed in finance, insurance, and consulting to analyze risk data

Operational Risk Management focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to daily business operations. Risk Analysts analyze data to evaluate potential risks and support decision-making. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, Operational Risk Managers oversee comprehensive risk strategies, whereas Risk Analysts focus on data analysis and risk assessment.

Is operational risk management a good career?

Operational risk management is a valuable career that involves identifying and mitigating risks within an organization’s operations. It requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of industry regulations, and often certifications like ORM or FRM. The field offers opportunities for advancement in financial services, manufacturing, and other sectors with a focus on compliance and risk assessment.

What does an operational risk management do?

Operational risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that could disrupt an organization's daily operations. Professionals in this field develop strategies to prevent losses from process failures, fraud, or system outages, often using tools like risk assessments and control frameworks. They ensure compliance with regulations and improve overall operational resilience.

What are popular job titles related to Operational Risk Management jobs in California?

For Operational Risk Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Operational Risk Management jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Operational Risk Management jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Operational Risk Management jobs?

Cities in California with the most Operational Risk Management job openings:

Operational Risk Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operational Risk Management job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,125 per year, or $57.3 per hour.

Operational Risk Manager

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Waymo
Internet and IT • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Waymoexternal

$159K - $196K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Review, refine, and publish operational playbooks to ensure they remain accurate and optimized.

  • Oversee continuous monitoring of operational risks, lead root cause investigations, and ensure compliance with safety and risk frameworks.

  • Maintain, update, and govern the operational risk register, ensuring risks have clear owners, mitigation strategies, and regular updates.

Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver-The World's Most Experienced Driver™-to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.
We are looking for a systems-minded Operational Risk Manager to mature and scale our day-to-day risk and safety infrastructure. This isn't about running periodic checklists; it's about turning operational data and playbooks into a live, predictive engine that actively shapes our product roadmap. In this role, you'll embed directly with cross-functional teams to build the operational standards that allow us to scale safely and seamlessly.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Head of Operations Safety & Readiness.
You will:
  • Mature & Publish Playbooks: Review, refine, and publish operational playbooks, ensuring they remain the accurate, optimized "source of truth."
  • Day-to-Day Risk Management: Oversee continuous monitoring of operational risks, lead root cause investigations, and ensure compliance with our Safety Management System (SMS) and risk frameworks.
  • Risk Register Ownership: Maintain, update, and govern the operational risk register, ensuring all tracked risks have clear owners, mitigation strategies, and regular status updates.
  • Product Liaison: Translate day-to-day operational risk data, predictive analysis, and trends into nuanced requirements that secure roadmap prioritization from Product teams.
  • Systems-Based Thinking: You analyze how our daily workflows interact, identifying bottlenecks or weak points in current frameworks to optimize the entire ecosystem.

You have:
  • Experience: 5+ years of Operational experience, with a focus on managing or maturing risk/operational workflows.
  • Education: Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience.
  • Tools & Framework Tracking: Direct experience with Jira and structured requirements tracking to manage operational priorities, action items, and cross-functional deliverables.
  • Safety Framework Knowledge: Practical working knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) principles and their application in fast-paced, live operational environments.
  • Process Improvement & Systems Thinking: Proven track record of evaluating complex workflows, identifying failure modes, and authoring clear, comprehensive operational documentation.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust, align diverse stakeholders, and influence without formal authority.

We prefer:
  • Prior experience in the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) industry.
  • Operational risk or safety assurance experience within high-reliability and safety-critical industries (e.g., commercial aviation, defense, aerospace, rail/transit, energy, or complex fleet logistics).
  • Experience with root-cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5-Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa, FMEA) and developing predictive operational indicators.

Travel requirements:
  • 20%

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
Salary Range
$159,000-$196,000 USD

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