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Validation Engineer

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Life As a Validation Engineer

Occupation 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, maintain, or review validation and compliance documentation, such as engineering change notices, schematics, or protocols.
  • Create, populate, or maintain databases for tracking validation activities, test results, or validated systems.
  • Prepare validation or performance qualification protocols for new or modified manufacturing processes, systems, or equipment for production of pharmaceuticals, electronics, or other products.
  • Recommend resolution of identified deviations from established product or process standards.
  • Plan or conduct validation testing of alternative energy products, such as synthetic jet fuels or energy storage systems, such as fuel cells.
  • Devise automated lab validation test stations or other test fixtures or equipment.

Skills Needed to be a Validation Engineer

Validation Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Types of Validation Engineer

  • Site Reliability Engineer
  • Equipment Validation Engineer
  • Quality Assurance Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Reliability Engineer

Is There Going to be Demand for Validation Engineers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 132,500 jobs in the United States for Validation Engineer. 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. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Validation Engineer Average Salary

Validation Engineers make between $50,750 and $155,650 a year.

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Validation Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Validation Engineers 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 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

How to Become a Validation Engineer

What kind of Validation Engineer requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Validation Engineers Work?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Validation Engineer may also be interested in:

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.

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