Validation Engineers
Validation engineers develop and test protocols that ensure products and manufacturing processes meet quality, safety, and purity standards. They work in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and food manufacturing facilities, designing experiments and documentation to verify that equipment and processes consistently produce compliant products.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against validation engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Validation engineers spend time designing test protocols, reviewing equipment specifications, and running validation studies on production systems. They analyze data from tests, troubleshoot issues when results don't meet requirements, and document findings in detailed reports. Much of the work involves coordinating with manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory teams to ensure protocols align with industry standards and regulatory expectations.
Who this work suits
Holland code ICR. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy systematic problem-solving and working within established rules and standards. If you're drawn to investigating how things work and prefer structured, detail-oriented work with clear procedures and documentation requirements, this role suits your interests well.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $117,120 | $156,510 | $186,790 | 220 |
| Washington | $102,400 | $129,050 | $155,920 | 6,130 |
| Oregon | $100,850 | $128,290 | $165,780 | 5,810 |
| New Mexico | $96,810 | $128,090 | $160,240 | 1,140 |
| California | $98,380 | $124,600 | $154,190 | 32,680 |
| Hawaii | $97,190 | $123,800 | $155,770 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $97,520 | $122,920 | $154,320 | 1,710 |
| Wyoming | $93,160 | $122,070 | $142,500 | 240 |
| Delaware | $100,770 | $120,190 | $143,000 | 820 |
| Maryland | $98,870 | $119,930 | $153,340 | 3,900 |
| Colorado | $95,160 | $109,750 | $133,290 | 5,200 |
| Massachusetts | $96,100 | $109,420 | $132,260 | 11,470 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) — Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) — Association for Facilities Engineering
- Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) — American Society for Quality
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) — American Society for Quality
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against validation engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 17-2112.02 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.