1

Product Development Associate Jobs in Encinitas, CA

Product Innovation Associate

San Diego, CA · On-site

$40 - $44.44/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

We are seeking a dynamic individual to drive the future of product development. Your expertise will bring innovative concepts to life, from initial spark to successful launch. You will act as a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Product Development Associate information

See Encinitas, CA salary details

$14

$32

$52

How much do product development associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for product development associate in Encinitas, CA is $32.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.29 and $40.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development associate do?

A Product Development Associate supports the creation and improvement of new products within a company. They conduct market research, assist in designing product concepts, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and help manage the product development process from idea to launch. Their role often includes analyzing customer needs, monitoring trends, and ensuring products meet quality standards. This position is collaborative and requires strong organizational and communication skills.

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

To thrive as a Product Development Associate, you need strong analytical abilities, project management skills, and a relevant bachelor's degree (such as in business, engineering, or marketing). Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) software, data analysis tools, and prototyping platforms is commonly required. Creativity, teamwork, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for efficiently bringing innovative products to market and collaborating successfully with cross-functional teams.

How does a product development associate typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product lifecycle?

As a Product Development Associate, you’ll work closely with departments such as marketing, engineering, and manufacturing throughout the product lifecycle. You’ll help translate customer feedback and market trends into product requirements, coordinate with designers and engineers to ensure feasibility, and assist in managing timelines and deliverables. Regular meetings and clear communication are vital, as you’ll often serve as a liaison to ensure everyone is aligned on goals and progress. This collaborative environment not only strengthens your teamwork skills but also provides valuable exposure to various aspects of the business.

What is the difference between Product Development Associate vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct Development AssociateProduct Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field; some roles may require internships or entry-level experienceBachelor's degree often required; MBA or relevant certifications preferred; extensive experience in product lifecycle management
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams within product development, R&D, or marketing departmentsCross-functional teams including engineering, marketing, sales, and executive leadership
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, manufacturing, and consumer goods companies for entry to mid-level rolesUsed across industries for strategic product oversight and lifecycle management

The Product Development Associate focuses on supporting the creation and refinement of products, often handling research, testing, and coordination tasks. In contrast, the Product Manager oversees the entire product lifecycle, making strategic decisions and managing cross-functional teams. While both roles require a background in business or related fields, the Product Manager role typically demands more experience and leadership responsibilities.

Is product development a good career?

Product development is a viable career that involves designing, creating, and improving products, often requiring skills in project management, market research, and technical knowledge. It offers opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth in various industries, with roles typically requiring cross-functional teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development jobs in Encinitas, CA?

The most popular types of Product Development jobs in Encinitas, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Product Development Associate jobs in Encinitas, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Development Associate jobs in Encinitas, CA are:

What cities near Encinitas, CA are hiring for Product Development Associate jobs?

Cities near Encinitas, CA with the most Product Development Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Product Development Associate job openings in Encinitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,131 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

Associate Scientist, Product Development

Catalent, Inc.

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Catalent rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Associate Scientist, Product Development
About Site
Catalent's San Diego, CA site is an early-phase development facility supporting small-molecule and peptide programs from preformulation through cGMP clinical manufacturing for oral and injectable dosage forms. The 68,000-square-foot site is a center of excellence for spray-drying and bioavailability-enhancement technologies, with integrated capabilities to advance challenging compounds rapidly into the clinic.
Position Summary
We have an opportunity for an Associate Scientist, Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will learn and apply basic formulation and analytical techniques to support the development of preclinical and clinical drug products. You will work under supervision to perform formulation and analytical tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and regulations. This position offers the chance to build a strong foundation in pharmaceutical development and contribute to delivering high-quality medicines to patients.
Shift: Monday-Friday 8 AM -4:30 PM
Location: San Diego, CA
100% Onsite
The Role
  • Conduct formulation development and characterization activities under supervision
  • Prepare reports, summaries, protocols, batch records, and quantitative analyses
  • Maintain clear and accurate record keeping in laboratory notebooks and perform secondary review of colleagues' work for scientific accuracy and compliance as assigned
  • Ensure decisions impact only personal workload
  • Support client interaction under supervisor guidance
  • Develop problem-solving skills for experimental outcomes
  • Maintain professional expertise through familiarity with scientific literature
  • Execute experimental design under supervisor direction
  • Receive training on scientific techniques, Good Manufacturing Practices, and International Council for Harmonisation guidance
  • Comply with good housekeeping and safety practices
  • No personnel management responsibilities

The Candidate
Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in a physical, chemical, biological, or pharmaceutical science required
  • On an average 8-hour day this position requires the ability to walk, sit and stand, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms at or above shoulder height and below waist height, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear, smell and lift up to 40 pounds. Specific vision requirements including reading of written documents, visual inspection of materials and use of computer monitor screen frequently.

Preferred Skills & Background
  • Experience in drug product development preferred
  • Microsoft Office experience preferred

Pay
The anticipated salary range for this position in CA is $70,500 - $72,000 Plus Bonus. The final salary offered to a successful candidate may vary, and will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, skillset, education, business needs, etc. Catalent is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.
Why You Should Join Catalent
  • Positive and fast-paced working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative and dynamic
  • Competitive Paid Time Off plus 10 paid holidays
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment
  • Tuition Reimbursement - support to finish your degree or earn a new one
  • Site-based Employee Engagement activities such as Movie Day, Annual Blues Fest, Free Bagel Fridays and more
  • Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion
  • Environmentally friendly, community engagement green initiatives including regularly participating in Beach Clean-up
  • Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process with potential for career growth
  • WellHub program promoting physical wellness including onsite fitness center, yoga classes and company-sponsored community sports teams
  • Perkspot offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.
personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.
Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.
Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:
Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond- it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.
California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.

What Catalent employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Catalent logo

About Catalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.Catalent is committed to the health and safety of its employees, visitors and the customers and patients we serve.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Somerset, NJ, US

Year founded

2007

Social media