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Job outlook for system validation engineers in the United States
System validation engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected system validation engineer job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 284,100 new jobs for system validation engineers are projected over the next decade.
System validation engineer salaries have increased 6% for system validation engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 17,260 system validation engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 25,362 active system validation engineer job openings in the US.
The average system validation engineer salary is $92,322.
Are system validation engineer jobs in demand?
System validation engineer job and salary trends over time
System validation engineer jobs over time
System validation engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,260 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,310 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,306 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 16,135 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,938 | 0.00% |
Average system validation engineer salary over time
System validation engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,322 | $44.39 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $88,446 | $42.52 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $86,606 | $41.64 | --0.3% |
| 2022 | $86,847 | $41.75 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $86,892 | $41.78 | +1.5% |
System validation engineer jobs by state
Most common states for system validation engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 307 | 44% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,015 | 17% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,193 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 687 | 10% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 584 | 10% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,390 | 9% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 658 | 9% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 354 | 9% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 91 | 9% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 106 | 8% |
| 11 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 317 | 7% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 413 | 6% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 199 | 6% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 559 | 5% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 506 | 5% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 285 | 5% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 99 | 5% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 38 | 5% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 34 | 5% |
| 20 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 1,175 | 4% |
Most common cities for system validation engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 4 | 14% | $78,172 |
| 2 | Cupertino | 8 | 13% | $116,175 |
| 3 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $78,033 |
| 4 | Dover | 4 | 11% | $81,325 |
| 5 | Annapolis | 4 | 10% | $90,614 |
| 6 | Cambridge | 7 | 6% | $94,143 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 5 | 4% | $116,157 |
| 8 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $92,950 |
| 9 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $73,717 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 4 | 2% | $78,392 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 4 | 2% | $73,080 |
| 12 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $94,223 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $65,551 |
| 14 | San Francisco | 5 | 1% | $116,424 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $82,543 |
| 16 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $95,111 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 6 | 0% | $101,483 |
System Validation Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of system validation engineer experts
Seattle University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Duke University
University of South Alabama
Manhattan College
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Julie Brandis: 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.
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Julie Brandis: The nation needs engineers across many disciplines. There isn’t one skill that is needed. Honesty and integrity (do what’s right, be honest and be dependable) Leadership - ability to meet deadlines, resolve conflict, balance competing demands, communicate in groups and influence peers, manage budgets
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat will help System Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What will help System Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: An underappreciated skill that I think will become more sought-after is the ability to validate computer-made decisions and their shortcomings. With the growing prominence of AI use in design, problem solving, and decision making, the engineering field will need experts to error-check decisions made using these technologies. Sometimes there are unexplored gaps that these technologies overlook, and sometimes there are biases or inappropriate assumptions baked into AI-based results. Humans are inherently imaginative and creative. We excel at picking up on things that computer algorithms may miss. Talented experts that recognize and address these issues will remain invaluable in the workforce. Another indispensable skill that is often overlooked in engineering is effective interpersonal communication. Whether in a teamwork context, a leadership role, or a client interaction, competent communication is crucial. This can take the form of conversation, live presentations, written correspondence, and beyond. People that hone their communication skills are often recognized, and tend to be the individuals that are promoted to more senior roles.
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mansooreh Mollaghasemi Ph.D.: Concurrent with building technical skills, they must build soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are often the differentiators between good and great engineers.
What will help System Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Megumi Usui: Even after obtaining a degree, it is crucial to recognize that continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of professional development in the workplace. One must cultivate an open-minded attitude and demonstrate a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills at any time and in any context. Effective communication with colleagues and clients is essential for successful collaboration and project execution. It is important to understand that the professional environment is significantly different from the academic setting. In a company, the focus is delivering work that meets the expectations and standards set by the employer and satisfies the needs of clients, rather than merely fulfilling personal criteria. Furthermore, it is imperative to produce high-quality work consistently. Mediocre performance is unacceptable, and organizations will not hesitate to seek replacements if the work delivered does not meet their standards. Ensuring that your work is thorough, precise, and aligns with the company's objectives is critical for maintaining the position and advancing their career.
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Michael Denn: 1. Become the expert in whatever you do. 2. Understand how your work fits into the bigger picture and keep that in mind when you do your work. 3. Keep learning! Your engineering degree is not the end of your education! 4. Take stretch assignments and opportunities whenever you can.
What will help System Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: Engineering encompasses so many areas of modern life that it’s impossible to provide a comprehensive answer here. The training that engineers receive, both the technical and the applied nature, make these individuals quite attractive to all types of industries. Perhaps the most surprising to many people are the significant number of engineers employed in financial services.
Edmund Spencer
Associate ProfessorUniversity of South Alabama
Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering
What System Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Edmund Spencer: Look for jobs that have the highest technical content, and try to develop entrepreneurial skills early.
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Daniel Armentrout: The excessive number of baby boomer engineers are retiring at high rates and you as a new engineering graduate are desperately needed to make up for their loss in the workforce. You will face challenges in your career we could not anticipate or prepare you for in your education. You will have to adapt and continue to learn new fields of study which did not exist when you graduated. We have given you tools to learn and you will have to use those tools to remain relevant throughout your career. Find your place as an engineer when you can be effective, help humanity, and have fun. Plot a career path where you can utilize your strengths and challenge your mind to do new things. Contribute to making a better world and you will be able to enjoy immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
What general advice would you give to a System Validation Engineer?
Dr. John Leylegian Ph.D.: The most important skills revolve around computer literacy. Know how to code. Know how to use industry standard software packages... and don't think that if you don't know a particular language or software that it will automatically exclude you from a new position. Engineers should love to learn how to do new things, and switching from one software to another is not a difficult thing. There is a learning curve, but knowing how to interpret results (and to detect garbage in - garbage out situations) is much more important. And find how to incorporate AI into your work. If used smartly and ethically, AI can be a great labor-saving tool. However, know that AI isn't foolproof, and again, be able to properly interpret results from an AI engine to avoid costly mistakes.