How To Become A System Validation Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a system validation engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Julie Brandis

System validation engineers are responsible for planning, developing, and monitoring a company's or organization's validation strategy. They validate software solutions for persistent memory applications and conduct firmware validation testing of automotive and handheld devices. System validation engineers earn an average salary of $40, which amounts to $83,000 per year.

System validation engineers evaluate systems and processes used to build products. They ensure products meet company requirements and evaluate engineering systems based on safety and performance standards. Part of their duties also includes analyzing results and updating activity logs as well as troubleshooting and maintaining equipment to ensure that they are in tip-top condition.

System validation engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree in quality management, statistics, manufacturing, engineering, or other related fields. They are expected to have proven experience as a validation engineer or in a similar role. Some employers prefer candidates with a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and safety regulations.

What general advice would you give to a system validation engineer?

Julie Brandis

Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Website

Oregon State University provides support in salary negotiation, also students can work with mentors who are familiar with company hiring practices and wage structures. If you have internship experience, that can help to boost your starting salary.

ScoreSystem Validation EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.2

Avg. Salary $92,322

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 27.37%

Black or African American 3.57%

Hispanic or Latino 8.66%

Unknown 4.51%

White 55.60%

Gender

female 23.76%

male 76.24%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a system validation engineer

Explore system validation engineer education requirements

Most common system validation engineer degrees

Bachelor's

66.0 %

Master's

22.2 %

Associate

8.3 %

Start to develop specific system validation engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	11.60%
Architecture	5.28%
FDA	3.88%
Debug	3.46%
GMP	3.14%

Complete relevant system validation engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New system validation engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a system validation engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real system validation engineer resumes.

Research system validation engineer duties and responsibilities

Lead the development effort of porting a modem software test suite to a different OS.
Manage overall validation programs for the GMP products at the manufacturing facility and the contract manufacturing company.
Create perl scripts and edit python scripts that enhance throughput and performance of debug and execution tools.
Initiate investigation and identification of root cause for defects return from the field under FDA and GMP guidelines.

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When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your system validation engineer resume.

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