Investigator II

FDA; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

FDA seeks an Investigator II to conduct inspections in FDA-regulated industries, collect evidence, and evaluate compliance with U.S. laws to ensure public health safety.

The role requires advanced training in quality assurance/management or related health sciences, with multiple pathways to meet basic qualifications. As part of the Office of Inspections and Investigations, you will assess manufacturing practices, laboratory analyses, and clinical programs while promoting continuous improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor7s degree in a relevant science or healthcare field and two years of FDA-related experience, or Master7s/Doctorate with corresponding experience, or four years of comparable experience with FDA/regulatory work.
• Experience evaluating compliance with FDA/public health laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of inspections, sample collection, and documenting violations to support safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections in FDA-regulated industries and gather evidence to document compliance with U.S. laws and regulations.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes, design practices, facility controls, and supply chains to promote safety and quality.
• Mentor less experienced personnel and communicate with internal/external stakeholders.

Skills

Biochemistry

Biology

Biotechnology

Chemistry

Data science

Public health

Quality assurance

Quality management

Epidemiology

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Nutrition

Medical technology

Engineering

Education

Bachelor7s degree in quality assurance/management

Bachelor7s degree in data science

Bachelor7s degree in epidemiology

Master7s or higher in quality assurance/management

Job description

Summary

This position is being filled under a stream-lined hiring authority, Title 21 of the United States Code (21 US Code 379d-3a) as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, section 3072 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Section 3624. The candidate selected for this position will serve under a career or career-conditional appointment and be paid under the provisions of this authority. This position is being recruited based on the Title 21 Pay Table 1, Band A (GS-11 equivalent).

Duties

Summary

This position is being filled under a stream-lined hiring authority, Title 21 of the United States Code (21 US Code 379d-3a) as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, section 3072 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Section 3624. The candidate selected for this position will serve under a career or career-conditional appointment and be paid under the provisions of this authority. This position is being recruited based on the Title 21 Pay Table 1, Band A (GS-11 equivalent).

Requirements

In order to qualify for the Investigator II position which falls under the 0696 occupational Series, you must meet the following requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 10/01/2026: Basic Qualification Requirements: This Investigator job family covers professional positions that conduct inspections in FDA regulated industries and prepare and submit reports accompanied by supporting evidence documenting violations of the FD&C Act and other laws, regulations, and requirements administered by FDA. The position investigates and/or inspects FDA-regulated industry globally and evaluates compliance with U.S. laws and regulations in order to promote a culture of safety and quality with the objective of preventing unsafe, ineffective and/or defective products from becoming available to patients and consumers or used in clinical trials while facilitating appropriate development of novel products. FDA's enforcement of the laws and regulations protects patients and consumers from products that are impure, unsafe, ineffective, improperly or deceptively labeled or packaged, or in some other way dangerous or defective. Investigators routinely examine products; collect samples; conduct inspections of establishments that design, make, process, hold, or distribute FDA-regulated products; and otherwise gather information and evidence to document objectionable conditions and assess compliance with U.S. law and regulations. Investigators apply critical thinking to evaluate manufacturing processes, design practices, facility and material controls, supply chains, quality management systems, laboratory analyses, and clinical investigation programs to assess compliance with U.S. laws and regulations and to support advancements and innovations. Investigators continuously maintain required certification and credentials; provide internal and external stakeholder outreach, assistance, and education; and may mentor less experienced personnel. These positions require knowledge of various scientific fields such as biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, data science, digital health, engineering, epidemiology, food engineering, food processing technologies, food safety, healthcare, medical technology, microbiology, nutrition, pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, public health, quality assurance, and quality management. Education/Experience Requirement: Candidates must meet one of the following: Bachelor's degree in quality assurance/management, data science, statistics, computer forensics, epidemiology, pharmacy, public health, engineering, food science, law or regulations, or related healthcare or science field. The degree must be from an accredited program or institution AND two years of comparable experience with FDA, a state or federal partner agency, or in an FDA-regulated industry or organization providing investigative or compliance services to an FDA-regulated industry, focused on evaluating or ensuring compliance with FDA or related public health laws and regulations; -OR- Master's degree or higher in quality assurance/management, data science, statistics, computer forensics, epidemiology, pharmacy, public health, engineering, food science, law or regulations, or related healthcare or science field. The degree must be from an accredited program or institution AND one year of comparable experience with FDA, a state or federal partner agency, or in an FDA-regulated industry or organization providing investigative or compliance services to an FDA-regulated industry, focused on evaluating or ensuring compliance with FDA or related public health laws and regulations; -OR- Doctorate degree or higher in quality assurance/management, data science, statistics, computer forensics, epidemiology, pharmacy, public health, engineering, food science, law or regulations, or related healthcare or science field. The degree must be from an accredited program or institution; -OR- Four years of comparable experience with FDA, a state or federal partner agency, or in an FDA-regulated industry or organization providing investigative or compliance services to an FDA-regulated industry, focused on evaluating or ensuring compliance with FDA or related public health laws and regulations. Comparable experience is defined as experience with FDA, a state or federal partner agency, or in an FDA-regulated industry or organization providing investigative or compliance services to an FDA-regulated industry, focused on evaluating or ensuring compliance with FDA or related public health laws and regulations. NOTE: Applicants must submit all relevant transcripts that demonstrate you possess the required education to meet the Basic Qualifications.

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American. At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country, by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere! HHS is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans. The Food and Drug Administration is the regulatory, scientific, public health, and consumer protection agency responsible for ensuring that all human and animal drugs, and medical devices are safe and effective, that cosmetics, foods, food additives, drugs and medicated feeds for food producing animals, and radiation emitting devices are safe, and that all such products marketed in the United States are adequately, truthfully and informatively labeled and safely and properly stored, transported, manufactured packaged and regulated. The position is located in the Department of Health and Public Services (DHHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), Office of Import Operations (OIO). The Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII) is at the forefront of building a public health safety net for today's complex, global regulatory environment. OII professionals work in a range of program areas and locations, with 196 offices throughout the United States.