Validation Engineer/Specialist

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

Summary

Natural problem-solvers, communicators and individuals with a strong science and math background may find their ideal career as a validation engineer. Working within the laboratory or manufacturing setting, validation engineers perform tests of the various equipment and instruments used within their particular work setting. By making exact measurements against established standards, validation engineers adjust equipment precisely. This process is known as calibrating, or validating, the equipment.

Engineers document their tests, and this data serves as important information for analysis by others within their departments, such as validation technicians.

Validation engineers also may be responsible for overseeing equipment decisions, such as determining what pieces need to be replaced and/or purchased. Working closely with contractors, suppliers and vendors, validation engineers diagnose equipment issues and install new equipment. In some biotechnology firms, validation engineers manage the equipment budget and train all personnel on new equipment. An in-depth knowledge and understanding of good manufacturing practices is a critical skill for validation engineers.

Most validation engineers work within an organizational department that has a clearly defined path for future career progression. Often, four positions with increasing responsibilities, authority and pay exist for validation engineers: Validation Engineer I, II, III and IV. Individuals with a master's degree and several years of experience may enter management level positions. Others may choose to become independent contractors, consulting with biotechnology companies.

 

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree in the science or engineering fields can equip one to obtain an entry-level position.

 

Median Salary 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a Validation Engineer in 2018 was $96,980.

 

Want to know more?

• O*NET: Validation Engineers
• About Bioscience: Validation Engineers

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Information retrieved from About Bioscience: Validation Engineers and Indeed: Validation Engineer salary.