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Program Manager Pharmaceutical Jobs in California

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Program Manager

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins. Join Teledyne Imaging Sensors as a Program Manager! Are ...

Teledyne

Program Manager

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins. Join Teledyne Imaging Sensors as a Program Manager! Are ...

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Program Manager

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the ... The Program Manager will lead programs in Teledyne Imaging Sensors' Astronomy and Earth Observation ...

Teledyne

Program Manager

Camarillo, CA

$120K - $160K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the ... The Program Manager will lead programs in Teledyne Imaging Sensors' Astronomy and Earth Observation ...

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Program Manager

Rancho Cordova, CA · On-site

$113K - $151K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the ... Manage programs from initiation through delivery, ensuring compliance with financial, technical ...

Teledyne

Program Manager

Rancho Cordova, CA · Hybrid

$113K - $151K/yr

... pharmaceutical research. We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the ... Manage programs from initiation through delivery, ensuring compliance with financial, technical ...

Curia, Inc.

Program Manager II

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$84K - $104K/yr

PROGRAM MANAGER II in Camarillo, CA Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to ... pharmaceutical and biotech companies to provide life-saving treatments to patients. At Curia, we ...

AMRI

Program Manager II

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$84K - $104K/yr

PROGRAM MANAGER II in Camarillo, CA Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to ... pharmaceutical and biotech companies to provide life-saving treatments to patients. At Curia, we ...

Revolution Medicines

Senior Program Manager

Redwood City, CA · Hybrid

$142K - $142K/yr

The ideal candidate is an experienced program manager with a thorough understanding of the stages ... In Life Sciences with 8 years' experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry or MSc./MBA and 6 ...

Revolution Medicines

Senior Program Manager

Redwood City, CA · Hybrid

$142K - $142K/yr

The ideal candidate is a strategic program management professional with deep experience leading ... In Life Sciences with 8+ years of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, or clinical ...

Revolution Medicines

Senior Program Manager

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$142K - $142K/yr

The ideal candidate is a strategic program management professional with deep experience leading ... In Life Sciences with 8+ years of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, or clinical ...

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All JobsProgram Pharmaceutical JobsProgram Manager Pharmaceutical JobsProgram Manager Pharmaceutical Jobs in California

Program Manager Pharmaceutical information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do program manager pharmaceutical jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager pharmaceutical in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Manager in the pharmaceutical industry, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Manager in the pharmaceutical industry, you need expertise in project management, regulatory compliance, and pharmaceutical development processes, often supported by a relevant science degree and PMP certification. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, regulatory tracking systems, and quality management software is typically required. Strong leadership, cross-functional communication, and problem-solving skills help drive collaboration and project success. These skills ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with industry regulations, which is critical in the highly regulated pharmaceutical sector.

What is the difference between Program Manager Pharmaceutical vs Project Manager Pharmaceutical?

AspectProgram Manager PharmaceuticalProject Manager Pharmaceutical
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple related projects, aligns them with strategic goals, manages resources across projectsManages individual projects, ensuring specific objectives, scope, and deadlines are met
CertificationsPMP, Program Management certifications often preferredPMP, CAPM certifications common
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-project coordination, senior management interactionProject execution, team management, timeline and budget control
Industry UsageUsed in pharmaceutical companies for large-scale initiativesUsed for specific drug development or clinical trial projects

The main difference between a Program Manager Pharmaceutical and a Project Manager Pharmaceutical lies in scope and responsibilities. The Program Manager oversees multiple related projects, focusing on strategic alignment, while the Project Manager handles individual projects, ensuring specific deliverables are met. Both roles require similar certifications like PMP, but their focus areas and work environments differ significantly.

How does a Program Manager in the pharmaceutical industry typically collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout a drug development project?

Program Managers in the pharmaceutical sector play a central role in coordinating cross-functional teams, including research, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, and marketing departments. They facilitate regular project meetings, ensure alignment on timelines and deliverables, and proactively resolve issues that arise between teams. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential, as the Program Manager often serves as the primary point of contact, helping stakeholders navigate complex project milestones and regulatory requirements. This collaborative approach is crucial for keeping projects on track and meeting critical deadlines in a highly regulated environment.

What does a Program Manager do in the pharmaceutical industry?

A Program Manager in the pharmaceutical industry oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of projects related to drug development, regulatory submissions, or product launches. They work cross-functionally with teams such as research, clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. Their role often includes risk management, stakeholder communication, and aligning program goals with organizational strategies. Program Managers play a crucial role in helping pharmaceutical companies bring new therapies to market efficiently and compliantly.
What are popular job titles related to Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs in California? For Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs? Cities in California with the most Program Manager Pharmaceutical job openings:
Program Manager Pharmaceutical jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Pharmaceutical job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,053 per year, or $51 per hour.
Program Manager, Pharma

Program Manager, Pharma

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$125K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About this Role
Our pharmaceutical team is looking for a highly motivated and creative Pharma Program Manager who will manage efforts in driving pharma programs to completion and report to the VP, Pharma Program Management, This is an opportunity in an exciting area of growth for Varda, the role will shape Varda's product culture and will play a significant role in establishing the low Earth orbit economy.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with program leads to develop and track schedules and milestones, identifying critical path activities and dependencies.
  • Support pharma programs and meetings: set agendas, document decisions, assign owners, and follow up on action items.
  • Establish program objectives, define scope, and align with departmental strategy.
  • Ensure project deliverables meet expectations for quality, cost, and schedule.
  • Partner with technical leads to identify and manage program risks and issues, while also proposing mitigation strategies and maintaining a risk register with mitigation plans.
  • Align with technical leads to allocate resources, control costs, and ensure efficient use of personnel and resources.
  • Communication of project status via SmartSheet, reports, and dashboards.
  • Serve as the operational liaison to CDMOs, CROs, and contract testing laboratories on scheduling, deliverables, and issue escalation.
Basic Qualifications
  • 2+ years of program management experience, and 6+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
  • B.S. or M.S. in life sciences such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields.
  • Effective communication (verbal and written), well organized, collaborative with peers.
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • 3+ years of program management experience, PMP / PgMP certification.
  • Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs.
  • Excellent communication across a diverse group of stakeholders. Must be able to tailor messaging to each audience.
  • Experience with program planning and coordination, aligning with organizational strategy.
  • Cross-functional team influence. Without direct reports, this role must influence and drive task completion from multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong critical thinking and troubleshooting experience to guide cross-functional teams toward achieving program objectives.
  • Understanding and implementation of change management during program lifecycle.
  • Extensive experience with MS Project and/or SmartSheet.
Pay Range
  • Salary range: $125,000 - $170,000/per year
  • This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
  • You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits
Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and a high-quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full-time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
  • Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
  • Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
  • 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
  • Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement
  • Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
  • Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks
  • Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
  • Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
  • Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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