Occupation

Validation Engineers

Human Advantage 69%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.1 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Design or plan protocols for equipment or processes to produce products meeting internal and external purity, safety, and quality requirements.

Also Known As: Cloud Site Reliability Engineer, Corporate Quality Engineer, Electrical Reliability Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Equipment Validation Engineer, Equipment Validation Specialist, Failure Analyst, Process Development Engineer +18 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards.
  2. Analyze validation test data to determine whether systems or processes have met validation criteria or to identify root causes of production problems.
  3. Develop validation master plans, process flow diagrams, test cases, or standard operating procedures.
  4. Prepare detailed reports or design statements, based on results of validation and qualification tests or reviews of procedures and protocols.
  5. Maintain validation test equipment.
  6. Conduct validation or qualification tests of new or existing processes, equipment, or software in accordance with internal protocols or external standards.
  7. Communicate with regulatory agencies regarding compliance documentation or validation results.
  8. Prepare, maintain, or review validation and compliance documentation, such as engineering change notices, schematics, or protocols.
  9. Recommend resolution of identified deviations from established product or process standards.
  10. Design validation study features, such as sampling, testing, or analytical methodologies.
  11. Prepare validation or performance qualification protocols for new or modified manufacturing processes, systems, or equipment for production of pharmaceuticals, electronics, or other products.
  12. Create, populate, or maintain databases for tracking validation activities, test results, or validated systems.
  13. Resolve testing problems by modifying testing methods or revising test objectives and standards.
  14. Conduct audits of validation or performance qualification processes to ensure compliance with internal or regulatory requirements.
  15. Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing.
  16. Direct validation activities, such as protocol creation or testing.
  17. Coordinate the implementation or scheduling of validation testing with affected departments and personnel.
  18. Participate in internal or external training programs to maintain knowledge of validation principles, industry trends, or novel technologies.
  19. Validate or characterize sustainable or environmentally friendly products, using electronic testing platforms.
  20. Assist in training equipment operators or other staff on validation protocols and standard operating procedures.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Devise automated lab validation test stations or other test fixtures or equipment.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
90%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%
Master's Degree
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Amazon DynamoDB
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
  • Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Ansible software
  • Apache Cassandra
  • Apache Kafka
  • Apache Maven
  • Apache Subversion SVN
  • Apache Tomcat
  • Atlassian Bamboo
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  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Chef
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Django
  • Docker
  • Elasticsearch
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Go
  • IBM Terraform
  • JUnit
  • JavaScript
  • Jenkins CI
  • Kubernetes
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
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  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visio
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  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Windows
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  • MongoDB
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  • NoSQL
  • Node.js
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  • R
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ruby
  • Ruby on Rails
  • Scala
  • Selenium
  • Shell script
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Teradata Database
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX
  • UNIX Shell

Software (110)

  • Apache Ant
  • Apache Groovy
  • Apache HTTP Server
  • Apache Solr
  • Apache Struts
  • Bugzilla
  • Cadence Incisive Enterprise Simulator
  • Cadence Incisive Enterprise Specman Elite Testbench
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • EMC Documentum
  • Email software
  • GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX
  • Grafana Labs Grafana Cloud
  • Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
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  • IBM Notes
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  • IndySoft Gage InSite Enterprise
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Logic simulators
  • Minitab
  • Nagios
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Operating system software
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • Perforce Helix software
  • Project management software
  • Prometheus
  • QUALCOMM eXtensible Diagnostic Monitor QxDM
  • Red Hat WildFly
  • Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE
  • Simulation software
  • Sparta Systems TrackWise
  • Statistical software
  • Structure query language SQL
  • Synopsys electronic design software
  • Ubuntu
  • Verilog
  • Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL
  • Virtual private networking VPN software
  • Windows kernel debuggers
  • Wireshark

Tools & Equipment (14)

  • Flow sensors
  • Gel electrophoresis systems
  • In-target probes ITP
  • Logic analyzers
  • Multimeters
  • Network protocol analyzers
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Pressure sensors
  • Programmable logic controllers PLC
  • Protocol analyzers
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Tektronix Communications Network & Service Analyzer NSA
  • Thermal validation systems

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

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