Occupation · SOC 17-2112.02
Validation Engineers
Design or plan protocols for equipment or processes to produce products meeting internal and external purity, safety, and quality requirements.
Median wage
$101,140
$70,000–$157,140
Projected growth
+11.0%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,850
per year
Employed (US)
350,230
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
372 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringActive ListeningScienceComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessOperations MonitoringMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisOperations AnalysisLearning StrategiesCoordinationPersuasionService OrientationNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingTroubleshootingOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceRepairingEquipment SelectionInstallation
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsDesignMechanicalEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentAdministrativePhysicsChemistryPublic Safety and SecurityPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsPsychologyEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingBiologyTransportationMedicine and DentistryBuilding and ConstructionGeographyForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingFine Arts
Technology & tools
Amazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache AntApache CassandraApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerApache KafkaApache MavenApache SolrApache StrutsApache Subversion SVNApache TomcatAtlassian BambooAtlassian JIRABashBugzillaCC#C++Cadence Incisive Enterprise SimulatorCadence Incisive Enterprise Specman Elite TestbenchChefDassault Systemes CATIADassault Systemes SolidWorksDjangoDockerEMC DocumentumElasticsearchEmail softwareExtensible markup language XMLGE Intelligent Platforms Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIXGitGitHubGoGrafana Labs Grafana CloudHewlett Packard LoadRunnerHewlett Packard QuickTest Professional
Representative tasks
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing Data or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesWorking with ComputersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyPerforming Administrative ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAssisting and Caring for Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer requirements and product specifications — review and summarize under direct supervision to support validation objective identification on assigned engineering projects.Validation test protocols and standard operating procedures — follow step-by-step under guidance to conduct basic qualification tests on existing equipment or software.Validation test data — collect and organize into structured formats under supervision to assist senior engineers in root cause analysis activities.Validation master plan templates — populate with assigned sections under direction to contribute to formal documentation packages for regulated engineering environments.Validation and compliance documents such as engineering change notices and schematics — review for completeness under oversight to support protocol maintenance activities.Test equipment used in validation activities — perform routine maintenance and calibration checks under supervision to ensure readiness for scheduled test runs.Technical reports summarizing validation test results — draft preliminary sections under direction using established templates in a manufacturing or product development setting.Process flow diagrams — interpret and trace under guidance to understand system interdependencies relevant to validation scope in an engineering team environment.Regulatory compliance documentation — compile supporting data under supervision to assist in preparing submissions or responses to external standards bodies.Active listening and reading comprehension skills — apply during team briefings and protocol reviews to absorb validation standards and engineering requirements in a structured onboarding context.
developing
Customer requirements and internal product specifications — analyze independently to define clear validation objectives and acceptance criteria for mid-complexity engineering projects.Validation test cases and standard operating procedures — develop and refine with limited oversight to support qualification activities for new or modified manufacturing processes.Validation test data from completed qualification runs — analyze systematically using statistical and engineering methods to identify deviations from acceptance criteria or production root causes.Detailed validation reports and design statements — prepare and edit with moderate supervision to document qualification test results for internal review and regulatory filing.Validation test equipment — maintain, troubleshoot, and recalibrate routinely to ensure measurement accuracy and compliance with internal calibration schedules.New and existing process or software validation tests — execute in accordance with internal protocols and external standards such as FDA or ISO requirements in a regulated manufacturing environment.Validation and compliance documentation packages — maintain and update including engineering change notices, protocols, and schematics to reflect current system states in an engineering records system.Database management and query tools — use to retrieve, organize, and cross-reference validation records in support of ongoing compliance monitoring activities.Cross-functional project teams — collaborate with to coordinate test schedules, communicate validation status, and resolve protocol discrepancies in a product development environment.Process flow diagrams and system models — construct and validate against process parameters to support systems analysis and identify gaps in existing qualification frameworks.
proficient
Validation master plans — develop end-to-end for complex multi-system programs, incorporating risk assessment, scope definition, and phased testing strategies across regulated engineering environments.Root cause investigations triggered by production failures or validation non-conformances — lead autonomously using structured problem-solving methodologies to deliver corrective and preventive action plans.Full-scope qualification and validation test campaigns for novel processes, equipment, or software — design and execute in compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks including FDA 21 CFR and ISO standards.Regulatory agencies and compliance bodies — communicate with directly regarding validation documentation, test results, and remediation plans to maintain product approval status.Validation data sets — interpret using advanced statistical analysis and engineering judgment to draw defensible conclusions about system capability and process robustness.Comprehensive validation and qualification documentation libraries — own and govern, ensuring traceability, version control integrity, and audit readiness across active product lines.Complex technical reports and design statements based on validation outcomes — author independently with precision and clarity for submission to regulatory bodies or executive stakeholders.Engineering and technology knowledge — apply to assess novel validation challenges, select appropriate test methodologies, and adapt protocols for non-routine or first-of-kind systems.Validation planning for software-intensive systems — conduct using development environment and file versioning tools to ensure configuration-controlled testing within engineering change management workflows.Cross-disciplinary process improvement initiatives — lead by applying systems evaluation and quality control analysis to identify validation inefficiencies and implement standardized best practices.
advanced
Organizational validation strategy and master frameworks — define and champion across business units to establish enterprise-wide standards aligned with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices.Validation engineering teams — mentor and develop by establishing competency expectations, providing technical coaching, and creating structured learning pathways for engineers at all experience levels.Executive leadership and regulatory bodies — advise on validation risk posture, compliance gaps, and strategic remediation investments to inform high-stakes product and operational decisions.Enterprise-level validation governance systems — design and implement integrating cloud-based management software and enterprise application integration tools to deliver scalable, auditable compliance infrastructure.Complex multi-site or multi-product validation programs — direct from initiation through regulatory acceptance, coordinating cross-functional resources and external partners across regulated manufacturing environments.Industry standards bodies and regulatory agencies — engage at a senior level to shape emerging validation standards, contribute technical expertise to rulemaking processes, and represent organizational positions.Organizational knowledge management for validation practices — lead the creation and curation of expert systems, best practice repositories, and training curricula to institutionalize engineering excellence.Systemic production quality failures with broad business impact — investigate and resolve at the executive level by directing root cause teams, managing stakeholder communications, and overseeing CAPA implementation.Validation resource allocation and program budgeting — own at the departmental or divisional level, making strategic investment decisions to align engineering capacity with product pipeline priorities.Innovation in validation methodologies — drive by evaluating emerging technologies such as model-based testing, AI-assisted data analysis, and digital twin approaches for adoption in regulated engineering contexts.
Also known as
27 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Cloud Site Reliability EngineerCorporate Quality EngineerElectrical Reliability EngineerEngineerEquipment EngineerEquipment Validation EngineerEquipment Validation SpecialistFailure AnalystProcess Development EngineerProcess EngineerProduct Quality EngineerQualification EngineerQuality Assurance Automation Engineer (QA Automation Engineer)Quality Assurance EngineerQuality Control EngineerQuality EngineerQuality Management Systems EngineerReliability EngineerService Reliability EngineerSite Reliability EngineerSupplier Quality EngineerSystem Validation EngineerSystems EngineerSystems Reliability EngineerValidation EngineerValidation SpecialistVerification and Validation Engineer