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What does a compliance engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

A compliance engineer specializes in developing systems and strategies to ensure that all products adhere to the company's safety and quality standards. Their responsibilities include coordinating with departments and staff to gather and analyze data, developing test procedures and guidelines, analyzing existing compliance procedures to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions, and maintaining records of all procedures and test results. Furthermore, a compliance engineer must prepare and submit compliance reports and analysis, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Compliance engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real compliance engineer resumes:

  • Facilitate and manage CAPA investigations from creation through verification of effectiveness and closure.
  • Transition UL safety certifications to CSA and help integrate separate quality system processes into single quality system.
  • Convert non-EU RoHS compliant products to EU RoHS compliant products from board to component.
  • Conduct internal and external audits for customers, subcontractors and regulatory agencies (FAA, ISO, etc .).
  • Perform in-house EMC tests including rf emissions measurements.
  • Provide training in hazard/risk analysis methods FMEA, FTA, FMECA.
  • Work with various antennas, spectrum analyzers, RF amps, signal generators.
  • Test case design, execution for embed Linux OS on RF data radios.
  • Validate test report, wireless, EMC and energy star test data accuracy, gather RoHS documents and get worldwide certifications.
  • Perform accurate and detail evaluation of medical devices, prior to clinical studies or market release, as per FDA guidelines.
  • Prepare drawings, SCDs, NSPARS, maintain EEE parts list, and are a liaison with vendors to qualify components.
  • Update documentation to reflect components are RoHS certify.
  • Perform analysis and tests for medical implant devices per FDA and international agency requirements.
  • Study abroad in Ireland and Spain learning about sustainability in engineering, including renewable energy types and energy conservation techniques
  • Coordinate all pre employment requirements for CDL drivers.

Compliance engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Compliance Engineers are proficient in Regulatory Compliance, ISO, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Compliance Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Regulatory Compliance, 11%

    Directed and participated in cross-functional team efforts to support customers for their regulatory compliance needs.

  • ISO, 9%

    Developed program for managing Hazardous Waste to comply with OSHA HAZCOM 1910:1200 + Cross-functional Energy Conservation Committee to address ISO 14001 Aspects

  • Project Management, 9%

    Project material balances and operational hours as part of facility Project Management System.

  • UL, 5%

    Performed factory Follow-Up Service Audits with TUV Rhineland and UL representatives to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of audits.

  • Product Safety, 5%

    Work with engineering team and R&D group to ensure the new products design complying with product safety standards requirements.

  • RF, 4%

    Performed in-house EMC tests including rf emissions measurements.

"regulatory compliance," "iso," and "project management" are among the most common skills that compliance engineers use at work. You can find even more compliance engineer responsibilities below, including:

Creativity. Another essential skill to perform compliance engineer duties is creativity. Compliance engineers responsibilities require that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." Compliance engineers also use creativity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "researched chemical composition in metal alloys for hazardous chemicals for epa toxic release inventory (tri) and tier 2 programs. "

Problem-solving skills. compliance engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to compliance engineer responsibilities, because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." A compliance engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "monitor performance of quality systems to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, identifying quality concerns and opportunity for improvement and recommend solutions. "

Listening skills. For certain compliance engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "listening skills." The day-to-day duties of a compliance engineer rely on this skill, as "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what compliance engineers do: "facilitated the quality review program, communicated quality issues, and initiated quality process improvements. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for compliance engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of compliance engineers all the time, as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An excerpt from a real compliance engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a compliance engineer does: "implement shop-floor spc and provide plant-wide statistics support. "

Speaking skills. While "speaking skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to compliance engineer responsibilities. Much of what a compliance engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of compliance engineers: "presented certificate of contribution for "leadership and support" during the rocky mount 2013 fda inspection. "

All compliance engineer skills

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Compare different compliance engineers

Compliance engineer vs. Industrial engineering internship

An industrial engineer intern is a student working in a company to do industrial engineering tasks. Industrial engineering interns assist industrial engineers. They perform process improvement tasks such as the increase in production efficiency and lean manufacturing analysis. They design and implement improved facility layout to optimize product flow and provide improvement times. More so, they conduct self-study for the calculation of efficient performance time, create assembly line drawing, and determine ergonomic issues.

We looked at the average compliance engineer salary and compared it with the wages of an industrial engineering internship. Generally speaking, industrial engineering interns are paid $58,396 lower than compliance engineers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both compliance engineer and industrial engineering internship positions are skilled in iso, corrective action, and management system.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, compliance engineer responsibilities require skills like "regulatory compliance," "project management," "ul," and "product safety." Meanwhile a typical industrial engineering internship has skills in areas such as "continuous improvement," "data collection," "strong analytical," and "logistics." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Industrial engineering interns tend to reach similar levels of education than compliance engineers. In fact, industrial engineering interns are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Compliance engineer vs. Manufacturing engineering internship

A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure. A manufacturing engineering intern must have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment.

On average, manufacturing engineering interns earn a $44,531 lower salary than compliance engineers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both compliance engineers and manufacturing engineering interns have skills such as "iso," "corrective action," and "fda. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, compliance engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "regulatory compliance," "project management," "ul," and "product safety." Meanwhile, a manufacturing engineering internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "continuous improvement," "cad," "solidworks," and "assembly line." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Manufacturing engineering interns may earn a lower salary than compliance engineers, but manufacturing engineering interns earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $49,245. On the other hand, compliance engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,413.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Manufacturing engineering interns tend to reach similar levels of education than compliance engineers. In fact, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Compliance engineer vs. Product support engineer

A product support engineer is responsible for resolving technical issues of end-users regarding the products and services offered by the company. Product support engineers conduct troubleshooting operations for system failures and write resolution reports for reference. They also support the product analysts in improving the product's features and processes to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and maintain optimal performance. A product support engineer designs automation procedures and runs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure high-quality outputs and avoid operational delays.

An average product support engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of compliance engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to product support engineers earning a $7,199 lower average salary than compliance engineers.compliance engineers and product support engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "iso," "rf," and "corrective action," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from compliance engineer resumes include skills like "regulatory compliance," "project management," "ul," and "product safety," whereas a product support engineer is more likely to list skills in "product support," "troubleshoot," "customer service," and "customer support. "

Product support engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $98,326. On the other hand, compliance engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $103,413.When it comes to education, product support engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to compliance engineers. In fact, they're 3.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Compliance engineer vs. Process engineer internship

A process engineering intern performs various tasks for an organization. These include collaborating with the technical team on cost savings, process efficiency improvements, and technology advancement, attending meetings with leadership teams, and participating in customer trials. Additionally, they may assist with the leadership or management teams in creating standard operating procedures. They are responsible for coordinating with engineers and work on projects assigned by the leadership. Ideal candidates for this role must have a degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, excellent communication skills, and knowledge and experience in process observation.

Process engineer interns typically earn lower pay than compliance engineers. On average, process engineer interns earn a $58,083 lower salary per year.According to resumes from compliance engineers and process engineer interns, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "iso," "corrective action," and "fda. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A compliance engineer uses "regulatory compliance," "project management," "ul," and "product safety." Process engineer interns are more likely to have duties that require skills in "process engineering," "data analysis," "continuous improvement," and "powerpoint. "process engineer interns reach similar levels of education compared to compliance engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of compliance engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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