What Does it Take to Be a Validation Engineer?
Career Description Design or plan protocols for equipment or processes to produce products meeting internal and external purity, safety, and quality requirements.
Life As a Validation Engineer: What Do They Do?
- Prepare validation or performance qualification protocols for new or modified manufacturing processes, systems, or equipment for production of pharmaceuticals, electronics, or other products.
- Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing.
- Develop validation master plans, process flow diagrams, test cases, or standard operating procedures.
- Assist in training equipment operators or other staff on validation protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards.
- Maintain validation test equipment.
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What a Validation Engineer Should Know
When polled, Validation Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Post Market Quality Manager
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Product Quality Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Quality Control Engineer
Are There Job Opportunities for Validation Engineers?
There were about 132,500 jobs for Validation Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Validation Engineer by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Validation Engineer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Validation Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Validation Engineer
The salary for Validation Engineers ranges between about $50,750 and $155,650 a year.

Validation Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Validation Engineers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $115,710 |
Alaska | $114,040 |
Arizona | $94,450 |
Arkansas | $71,510 |
California | $107,700 |
Colorado | $111,610 |
Connecticut | $100,230 |
District of Columbia | $132,530 |
Florida | $82,970 |
Georgia | $93,580 |
Hawaii | $96,940 |
Idaho | $110,270 |
Illinois | $87,220 |
Indiana | $73,340 |
Iowa | $78,230 |
Kansas | $82,060 |
Kentucky | $79,690 |
Louisiana | $90,580 |
Maine | $85,800 |
Maryland | $118,420 |
Massachusetts | $109,220 |
Michigan | $90,420 |
Minnesota | $101,620 |
Mississippi | $79,630 |
Missouri | $86,850 |
Montana | $79,590 |
Nebraska | $82,760 |
Nevada | $94,950 |
New Hampshire | $99,070 |
New Jersey | $114,990 |
New Mexico | $114,790 |
New York | $95,270 |
North Carolina | $83,900 |
North Dakota | $83,270 |
Ohio | $93,370 |
Oklahoma | $83,080 |
Oregon | $90,720 |
Pennsylvania | $96,550 |
Rhode Island | $95,790 |
South Carolina | $100,750 |
South Dakota | $84,320 |
Tennessee | $82,030 |
Texas | $113,370 |
Utah | $89,810 |
Vermont | $81,960 |
Virginia | $118,390 |
Washington | $104,890 |
West Virginia | $91,420 |
Wisconsin | $86,600 |
Wyoming | $97,040 |
What Tools & Technology do Validation Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Validation Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Microsoft Outlook
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Node.js
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- Email software
- MongoDB
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- IBM Notes
Becoming a Validation Engineer
Individuals working as a Validation Engineer have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Validation Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Validation Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Declan Barnes via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.