Process engineering technician vs validation technologist

The differences between process engineering technicians and validation technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a process engineering technician and a validation technologist. Additionally, a process engineering technician has an average salary of $84,612, which is higher than the $50,457 average annual salary of a validation technologist.

The top three skills for a process engineering technician include process engineering, continuous improvement and process improvement. The most important skills for a validation technologist are troubleshoot, python, and test results.

Process engineering technician vs validation technologist overview

	Process Engineering Technician	Validation Technologist
Yearly salary	$84,612	$50,457
Hourly rate	$40.68	$24.26
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	91,755	48,765
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a process engineering technician do?

A process engineering technician typically works at manufacturing facilities where they are in charge of providing technical support to engineers in an effort to optimize production operations. Their responsibilities usually include performing installations and adjustments, developing and implementing test structures, understanding blueprints and schematics, replacing components, troubleshooting problems, recommending solutions, and repairing parts as needed. A process engineering technician typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a validation technologist do?

A validation technologist works with a process chief and applies validation methods to complete tasks and carry out installations. They perform operational protocol duties and do reviews daily. They also analyze the validation test data to make sure it meets the necessary criteria for validation. They may have to generate and conduct all the phases in the validation process. These include IQs, OQ's and PQ's.

Process engineering technician vs validation technologist salary

Process engineering technicians and validation technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Process Engineering Technician	Validation Technologist
Average salary	$84,612	$50,457
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $110,000	Between $38,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	Frederick, MD
Highest paying state	Idaho	Maryland
Best paying company	Apple	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between process engineering technician and validation technologist education

There are a few differences between a process engineering technician and a validation technologist in terms of educational background:

	Process Engineering Technician	Validation Technologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Purdue University	Purdue University

Process engineering technician vs validation technologist demographics

Here are the differences between process engineering technicians' and validation technologists' demographics:

	Process Engineering Technician	Validation Technologist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4%	Male, 74.5% Female, 25.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between process engineering technician and validation technologist duties and responsibilities

Process engineering technician example responsibilities.

Lead a team, scheduling, resource planning, to create 120 catheters on schedule for a clinical trial.
Perform IQ and OQ validations for both equipments.
Design and build test facilities for RF and electronic products.
Conduct SPC analysis and conduct ISO internal audits to ensure compliance.
Provide on the floor engineering support for upstream and start-up GMP manufacturing.
Track all equipment changes for cost, schedule and GMP impacts to project.

Validation technologist example responsibilities.

Manage all cleaning validation schedule and coordinate activities with QA and/or external laboratories and operations.
Project coordinator, liaise with QA, QC, production, suppliers and contractors
Create HDD with Linux O.S.
Generate QC sampling schemes for cleaning validation, collect samples for airborne contaminants and surface contaminants.
Develop and write validation procedures following FDA guidelines for laboratory testing.
Perform system validation on autoclaves, ovens, refrigerator/freezers and equipment washers.

Process engineering technician vs validation technologist skills

Common process engineering technician skills

Process Engineering, 11%
Continuous Improvement, 8%
Process Improvement, 5%
R, 4%
Process Equipment, 3%
Technical Support, 3%

Common validation technologist skills

Troubleshoot, 6%
Python, 6%
Test Results, 6%
Data Collection, 6%
Linux, 5%
ISO, 4%

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Process Engineering Technician
Process Engineering Technician vs Validation Technologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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