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Protocol Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

FW development and L1 switch protocol development * Code reviews, bug fixes and maintenance of drivers * Review of test plans and unit level testing of drivers * Convert customer requirements and use ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

FW development and L1 switch protocol development * Code reviews, bug fixes and maintenance of drivers * Review of test plans and unit level testing of drivers * Convert customer requirements and use ...

Nurse Navigator

Fremont, CA · On-site

$61.30 - $82.75/hr

The Navigator also participates in quality improvement initiatives, protocol development, annual competencies, EMR management, compliance reviews, and training of new staff.

VP, Clinical Development

Irvine, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Maintains an active, hands-on role in clinical strategy and execution, directly contributing to protocol development, study design decisions, data interpretation, and cross-functional problem solving ...

Showing results 21-40

Protocol Development information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$52.7K

$79.9K

How much do protocol development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for protocol development in California is $52,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,900.00 and $59,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Protocol Development vs Clinical Research Associate?

AspectProtocol DevelopmentClinical Research Associate
Primary RoleDesigns and develops clinical trial protocolsMonitors clinical trials to ensure compliance and data integrity
Required SkillsKnowledge of clinical trial design, regulatory guidelines, and writing skillsMonitoring skills, regulatory knowledge, and communication skills
Work EnvironmentTypically in planning, development, and regulatory teamsOn-site or remote monitoring at clinical trial sites
CertificationsOften requires knowledge of GCP, regulatory affairsGCP certification often preferred

While Protocol Development focuses on creating and designing clinical trial protocols, Clinical Research Associates are responsible for monitoring and ensuring trial compliance at sites. Both roles are essential in clinical research but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

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

To thrive in Protocol Development, you need a solid background in clinical research, regulatory requirements, and scientific writing, often supported by a degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic data capture (EDC), and knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines is typically required. Strong attention to detail, project management, and effective communication skills help professionals excel in this role. These competencies ensure the creation of clear, compliant, and scientifically sound protocols that are essential for successful clinical trials.

What is protocol development?

Protocol development refers to the process of designing and creating detailed plans, often called protocols, which outline the methodology and procedures for conducting research or clinical trials. This includes specifying objectives, study design, data collection methods, and regulatory requirements to ensure the study is scientifically valid and ethically sound. Protocol developers work closely with researchers, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to ensure all aspects of the protocol meet industry standards and compliance guidelines.

What are the main challenges someone might face when starting in a protocol development role?

One of the main challenges in Protocol Development is quickly understanding complex technical standards and aligning them with organizational goals. New team members often need to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as engineering, legal, and product management, to ensure protocols are both technically sound and compliant with industry regulations. Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and maintaining clear documentation can also be demanding, but strong communication and a willingness to learn can help overcome these hurdles.

What are popular job titles related to Protocol Development jobs in California?

For Protocol Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Protocol Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Protocol Development jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Protocol Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,718 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Wireless Standards and Product Planning Expert

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Keysight Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Overview

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~16,800 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

This role is that of a technical leader  that blends standards adn product planning responsibilities. The individual must be able to drive innovation and influence in 3GPP standardization for 6G wireless protocol test solutions, while also  bringing the right insights  into product planning, and to shaping the product strategy and roadmap. 


Responsibilities
  • Actively contribute to and participate in 3GPP (RAN, SA, CT  or other working groups) with high-impact technical proposals
  • Create and run simulations as necessary in network and device protocols, channel modeling and other relevant areas in order to support 3GPP contributions
  • Influence standard evolution aligned with company technology and product strategy
  • Build strong relationships with ecosystem players (OEMs, chipset vendors, operators)
  • Represent the company as a recognized thought leader in industry forums
  • Partner with Planning and R&D functions to prioritize features based on technical feasibility and business impact
  • Cultivate a bird’s eye view and perspective of the industry trends, looking into the 3-5 year horizons, and mapping those insights into broad based product strategy
  • Influence product roadmap for wireless protocol test platforms (UE, network, and core testing)  
  • Partner with R&D to prioritize features based on technical feasibility and business impact
  • Translate technology priorities into concrete technical requirements
  • Collaborate with other functions such as R&D, Go-to-market and Sales
  • Support key customer engagements

Qualifications

Education

  • Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field

Experience

  • 12+ years in wireless communications, with strong focus on:
    • 3GPP standardization contributions
    • Wireless protocol development or testing
  • Experience in product planning or technical product management

Technical Expertise

  • Deep knowledge of:
    • 5G NR protocol stack (RRC, MAC, PHY interactions)
    • Leading 6G technology candidates and trends
    • LTE and legacy technologies
    • Core network signaling (5GC, EPC)
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Conformance and interoperability testing
    • Test methodologies and automation
  • Familiarity with:
    • Network and device simulators, protocol analyzers, and lab test systems

Business & Strategic Skills

  • Ability to connect standards evolution to commercial product opportunities
  • Strong analytical skills for market and competitive analysis
  • Experience defining product requirements and influencing roadmap decisions

Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***

Qualifications:

Education

  • Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field

Experience

  • 12+ years in wireless communications, with strong focus on:
    • 3GPP standardization contributions
    • Wireless protocol development or testing
  • Experience in product planning or technical product management

Technical Expertise

  • Deep knowledge of:
    • 5G NR protocol stack (RRC, MAC, PHY interactions)
    • Leading 6G technology candidates and trends
    • LTE and legacy technologies
    • Core network signaling (5GC, EPC)
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Conformance and interoperability testing
    • Test methodologies and automation
  • Familiarity with:
    • Network and device simulators, protocol analyzers, and lab test systems

Business & Strategic Skills

  • Ability to connect standards evolution to commercial product opportunities
  • Strong analytical skills for market and competitive analysis
  • Experience defining product requirements and influencing roadmap decisions

Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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