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Research Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Meta

AI Research Manager

Menlo Park, CA · On-site +1

$219K/yr

Meta is seeking an AI Research Manager to lead teams of AI researchers and engineers advancing the frontier of artificial intelligence. In this role, you will drive the strategy, execution, and ...

Meta

AI Research Manager

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$219K - $301K/yr

Meta is seeking an AI Research Manager to lead teams of AI researchers and engineers advancing the frontier of artificial intelligence. In this role, you will drive the strategy, execution, and ...

Stanford University

Clinical Research Manager

Stanford, CA · On-site

$124K - $153K/yr

The Tass Lab at Stanford University is seeking a Clinical Research Manager to provide leadership and operational oversight for our pioneering research in Parkinson's disease. This key role offers a ...

Stanford University

Clinical Research Manager

Stanford, CA · On-site

$124K - $153K/yr

The Tass Lab at Stanford University is seeking a Clinical Research Manager to provide leadership and operational oversight for our pioneering research in Parkinson's disease. This key role offers a ...

BiVACOR Inc

Clinical Research Manager

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

As a Clinical Research Manager, you will own end-to-end US IDE study operations, leading a team of clinical research professionals, ensuring regulatory compliance across all active sites, and driving ...

Envista

Clinical Research Manager

Brea, CA · On-site

$125K - $153K/yr

The Clinical Research Manager is responsible for managing all US clinical usability studies for Restorative, Endodontics and Preventive, making sure that all studies follow regulatory standards for ...

BiVACOR Inc

Clinical Research Manager

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

As a Clinical Research Manager, you will own end-to-end US IDE study operations, leading a team of clinical research professionals, ensuring regulatory compliance across all active sites, and driving ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsResearch JobsResearch Manager JobsResearch Manager Jobs in California

Research Manager information

See California salary details

$49.3K

$97.3K

$171.2K

How much do research manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for research manager in California is $97,279.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,100.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research manager do?

A research manager is responsible for the management and coordination of internal and external research and projects. You may work in a variety of fields, including business, market, natural science, and clinical. You work with clients, develop strategy, and provide guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Your duties include collaborating with a team to evaluate work processes and creating reports on your findings. Other responsibilities are focusing on a quantitative research method. You ensure each project is delivered on time and within budget. Research managers make strategic recommendations based on their research and analytics and moderate key client meetings and presentations.

What does a research manager do?

A Research Manager oversees research projects from inception to completion, ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget. They lead teams of researchers, coordinate project activities, and analyze data to produce actionable insights. Research Managers also communicate findings to stakeholders and often help design research methodologies. Their role is crucial for organizations that rely on data-driven decision-making.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research manager?

To thrive as a Research Manager, you need strong project management, data analysis, and research methodology skills, often supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or SAS), research databases, and reporting tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help in managing teams, stakeholders, and complex projects. These competencies ensure research projects are executed efficiently, results are reliable, and insights drive informed decision-making.

How does a research manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

Research Managers often work closely with various departments such as marketing, product development, and data analytics to ensure that research initiatives align with overall business objectives. They coordinate project timelines, share research findings, and facilitate discussions to integrate insights into strategic decisions. Effective communication and stakeholder management skills are critical, as Research Managers serve as the bridge between research teams and other business units, ensuring that research outcomes are actionable and relevant.

What is the difference between Research Manager vs Research Analyst?

AspectResearch ManagerResearch Analyst
Required credentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in relevant field; often some experience in research managementBachelor's degree in related field; entry to mid-level position
Work environmentOversees research projects, manages teams, coordinates with stakeholdersConducts data collection, analysis, and reporting under supervision
Employer and industry usageUsed in corporate, academic, and market research settings for leadership rolesCommon in market research firms, consulting, and academic research

The main difference between a Research Manager and a Research Analyst lies in their responsibilities and experience level. Research Managers oversee entire projects and teams, requiring leadership skills and broader experience, while Research Analysts focus on data collection and analysis tasks. Both roles are essential in research environments, but they differ in scope and seniority.

Are research manager jobs high paying?

Research manager jobs typically offer high salaries compared to many other roles, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals, technology, and finance. Compensation varies based on experience, education, location, and the size of the organization, with senior roles often earning six-figure salaries. Strong analytical skills and project management experience can also influence earning potential.

How much do research managers make in the US?

Research managers in the US typically earn an average salary of around $80,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles or those in high-demand sectors may offer higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

How much does a research manager get paid?

Research managers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles or those in specialized fields may offer higher compensation, and the position often requires strong analytical skills and familiarity with data analysis tools.
More about Research Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in California?

The most popular types of Research jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Manager jobs in California?

For Research Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Research Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Research Manager job openings:

Research Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,279 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

AI Research Manager

Meta

Menlo Park, CA • On-site, Remote

$219K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

138th of 247 rated software companies

Job description

Meta is seeking an AI Research Manager to lead teams of AI researchers and engineers advancing the frontier of artificial intelligence. In this role, you will drive the strategy, execution, and culture of AI research teams working on large-scale machine learning systems, foundation models, and applied AI innovations that power Meta's products and platforms. You will operate at the intersection of research and product impact, shaping the direction of AI capabilities while fostering a team culture of technical rigor, AI-native workflows, and cross-functional collaboration.
AI Research Manager Responsibilities:
  • Lead and manage multiple teams of AI researchers and technical leaders delivering large-scale machine learning and AI research projects with significant product impact
  • Shape and actively influence the AI research strategy and roadmap, translating long-term research goals into prioritized, executable plans
  • Drive adoption of AI tools and workflows across the team to expand delivery capacity and elevate engineering and research craft
  • Maintain hands-on technical engagement by evaluating model architectures, research directions, and technical quality using AI-assisted tools and direct contribution
  • Partner with product, design, and data science teams to ensure AI research outputs translate into measurable product improvements and user value
  • Recruit, develop, and retain AI research talent, including growing other leaders into AI-era research managers with strong technical and organizational skills
  • Proactively identify and resolve execution risks across research projects, including issues related to research vision, model quality, and team dependencies
  • Establish and maintain a high bar for AI research quality, including responsible and ethical use of AI, model evaluation rigor, and reproducibility standards
  • Represent the team's work and progress to leadership and cross-functional partners through clear written and verbal communication of research direction and outcomes
  • Contribute to broader organizational health by mentoring leaders across the AI research organization and modeling effective AI practices at scale

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of experience in AI, machine learning, or a closely related research or engineering field
  • 4+ years of experience managing teams of researchers or engineers, including experience managing other people managers or technical leaders
  • Experience defining and executing AI or machine learning research strategy across multiple concurrent projects with cross-functional dependencies
  • Track record of delivering AI or machine learning systems from research through production at scale, with demonstrated product or business impact
  • Experience communicating technical AI research direction and outcomes to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through written documents and presentations

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI-native tooling and workflows into team processes to accelerate research velocity and quality
  • Experience leading AI research teams working on foundation models, large language models, generative AI, or multimodal learning systems
  • Track record of publishing or shipping novel AI research with measurable impact on product systems or the broader research community
  • Experience building and scaling AI research organizations, including recruiting and developing researchers across a range of experience levels

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$219,000/year to $301,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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