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Job outlook for validation engineers in the United States
Validation engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected validation engineer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 7,100 new jobs for validation engineers are projected over the next decade.
Validation engineer salaries have increased 6% for validation engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 29,009 validation engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 28,394 active validation engineer job openings in the US.
The average validation engineer salary is $82,004.
Are validation engineer jobs in demand?
Validation engineer job and salary trends over time
Validation engineer jobs over time
Validation engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,009 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 29,093 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 29,086 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 24,704 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 22,830 | 0.01% |
Average validation engineer salary over time
Validation engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $82,004 | $39.42 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $78,561 | $37.77 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $76,927 | $36.98 | --0.3% |
| 2022 | $77,141 | $37.09 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $77,181 | $37.11 | +1.5% |
Validation engineer jobs by state
Most common states for validation engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 200 | 29% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 800 | 9% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 620 | 9% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 572 | 9% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 86 | 9% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 451 | 8% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,591 | 7% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 523 | 7% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 284 | 7% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 92 | 7% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 332 | 6% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 475 | 5% |
| 13 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 468 | 5% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 336 | 5% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 224 | 5% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 170 | 5% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 155 | 5% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 95 | 5% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 32 | 5% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
Most common cities for validation engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 9 | 32% | $69,892 |
| 2 | Juneau | 9 | 28% | $66,885 |
| 3 | Dover | 9 | 24% | $75,130 |
| 4 | Cupertino | 14 | 23% | $105,249 |
| 5 | Annapolis | 8 | 20% | $90,536 |
| 6 | Lansing | 9 | 8% | $72,367 |
| 7 | Hartford | 9 | 7% | $84,356 |
| 8 | Topeka | 9 | 7% | $54,786 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 10 | 5% | $64,557 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 9 | 5% | $76,836 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 9 | 4% | $67,476 |
| 12 | Montgomery | 9 | 4% | $79,952 |
| 13 | Boston | 16 | 2% | $90,537 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 14 | 2% | $56,056 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 9 | 2% | $71,940 |
| 16 | San Diego | 11 | 1% | $89,810 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 10 | 1% | $92,534 |
| 18 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $85,127 |
Validation Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of validation engineer experts
San Jose State University
Seattle University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wilkes University
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Bellingham Technical College
Duke University
University of San Diego
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: Improve communication skills, develop organization skills, continue learning new knowledge in the areas related to work, expand connections by learning what other people do, identify one or two mentors as role models for long-term career development.
What will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: All engineering and technical skills will be in need. People who are capable to use technology will be in high demand. Project management skills. Ability to use various software and be able to do some coding. Understanding of AI and how it applies to the specific work that you do.
What general advice would you give to a 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 general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Davide Masato: The high demand for plastics engineers facilitates maximizing starting salaries. Graduates with co-op experience enjoy a competitive edge. To grow both as engineers and team members, young professionals should actively seek professional development opportunities. Continuous learning and seeking advancement within the organization or externally are key. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, even remotely, enhances qualifications and marketability.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Christopher Misorski FASM: My first thoughts on beginning in any field or with any company is “be a sponge” about what the company is doing and what they want you to work on. Do way more listening and observing than talking. Learn the processes used AND the pitfalls/challenges of those processes. It is highly valuable to spend many hours “watching production” to gather first-hand knowledge of what is going on. Ask questions and don’t be quick to criticize a production employees’ explanation of the problem, even if you are quite sure technically that it is not fully correct. Their explanation fits the issues they see with their learned knowledge over time. There are valuable insights there. Also, just because you graduated with a degree, that doesn’t mean your education is finished. Continue to learn by attending relevant conferences for your field, attending training classes, watching webinars, attending local professional society technical meetings and talking to other experts in the field at these meetings. There is a LOT of knowledge out there and many methods of learning more.
What will help 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.
Professor Winncy Du
Professor, PhD, PE, ASME FellowSan Jose State University
Mechanical Engineering
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Winncy Du: Mechatronics and system engineering. Almost everything around us is a mechatronics system (*mech*anicia+elec*tronics*+programming): iphones (vibrates and displays, senses); refrigerators, cars, etc. Mechatronics is an *integrated *system, thus a system engineer is very important -- ensure all the subsystems interact properly and work together as a whole system efficiently. Be emotional intelligence (EQ) -- one of today's most in-demand human power skills. Not only be an engineer, but be a leader. Leaders who excel at EQ will be the most sought after by, and indispensable to, organizations, industry, and academia.
What 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.
What will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Thomas Congedo PhD: Your best friend will be a curious frame of mind, accompanied by a diligent approach to learning new scientific elements and methods, often taught to you by your senior colleagues.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a 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 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 Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jhon Smith: Professional skills such as being able to communicate clearly, being flexible, open-minded, eager to take on challenges, adept and working with others and taking ownership of the projects tasks given to you. Staying grounded to the fundamental concepts you learn in school so every time you run a sophisticated piece of software to do design you must be able to use those fundamentals to check the results.
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Davis: Engineers engage in various daily activities that are intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Every task is a step toward a tangible accomplishment, from innovating, designing, testing, and implementing new technologies to troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality. They may spend time in meetings discussing project progress, collaborating with colleagues, and planning future steps, all of which contribute to the sense of achievement. Engineers often use software tools to create designs, analyze data, and simulate systems, further enhancing their productivity and satisfaction. Depending on the field, they might spend time in labs conducting experiments, on-site overseeing construction or manufacturing processes, or in offices working on plans and reports, all of which are opportunities to see their work come to fruition. Entry-level Engineers: A bachelor's degree in engineering trains engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Entry-level engineers might start with tasks like data collection and analysis or assisting senior engineers with projects. Entry-level engineers might also spend time shadowing more experienced colleagues, attending training sessions, and gradually taking on more responsibility and management as they gain experience.
What will help 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 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 will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: My advice to recent graduates is to be open to non-conventional roles. Taking on responsibilities beyond one’s official discipline provides broader value to employers. Many students that graduate with degrees in mechanical engineering (or similar disciplines) find great success by stepping outside of their expected job title. Sometimes exploring roles with titles like “analyst” or “manager” or “designer” can provide interesting opportunities to apply one’s engineering skillset in an alternate context. The real strength of your degree is the transferable skillset that you developed along your educational journey. Keep your options open!
What general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Mansooreh Mollaghasemi Ph.D.: Build skills in high demand areas such as data analytics, supply chain management, and automation. Certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) can make a candidate more attractive and justify a higher starting salary. Internships can also provide valuable industry experience and can often lead to higher starting salaries.
What 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 general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Megumi Usui: Many individuals aspire to earn a substantial salary right from the beginning of their careers. However, this is not typically how the professional world operates. it is essential to demonstrate to your employer that you are a skilled, valuable, and irreplaceable asset. This process takes time and dedication. Avoid pressuring your employer for immediate rewards based solely on self-perception. While family may view you as exceptional, in the professional realm, you must distinguish yourself through your actions. Prove your worth by consistently arriving on time, working diligently, completing tasks swiftly and accurately, and exceeding expectations. Take a proactive approach to your projects and strive to impress your employer in every conceivable way. Continuously acquiring new skills that are valuable to the company is crucial. Additionally, building a strong network within your field by making professional connections and fostering friendships can significantly enhance your career prospects. By embodying these qualities, you can effectively demonstrate your value and potentially achieve the financial and professional rewards you seek.
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Megumi Usui: Given the rapid advancement in AI technology, its potential integration into the drafting and design field remains uncertain in terms of timing and methodology. However, if and when AI becomes a significant component of this industry, it will be crucial to find ways to collaborate effectively with AI systems to leverage their capabilities for the betterment of society. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, this collaborative approach will be essential. In this evolving landscape, proficiency in CAD skills remains indispensable. It is important to emphasize that CAD expertise extends beyond mere modeling; professionals must also ensure that their designs are sustainable and adhere to the latest industry standards. This holistic approach is critical for addressing contemporary challenges and aligning with global sustainability goals. Moreover, the significance of complementary skills such as effective communication and time management cannot be overstated. These competencies are vital for the successful execution of projects and fostering productive collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. By integrating technical proficiency with these essential soft skills, professionals can excel in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment, positioning themselves to adapt to future technological advancement.
What will help 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 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 Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Denn: 1. The time needed to progress from an idea to a quality prototype is continually decreasing. That trend will likely continue. Skills that support short development times, such as computer modeling, simulations and rapid prototyping, will continue to be valued. 2. One skill that will always be valuable is the ability to acquire new knowledge and apply it to the task at hand.
What will help 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 Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Technical, management, leadership, and organizational skills will always be important. Becoming proficient in new areas such as AI (artificial intelligence) best practices will be needed.
What general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Dr. Elizabeth Adams PhD, PE: It’s ok that you don’t know everything. Make good use of the skills you’ve built around working with others: communicating effectively, asking questions, listening, and paying attention. The first years are going to fly by, and you are going to continue to learn A LOT. Be someone people want on their team, someone that people like to work with.
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kelvin Erickson: Your performance on your first project will be extremely important. Do your “dead-level” best to exceed your supervisor’s expectations. For my first project, I was taking over a project from an engineer that left the company. One of the more experienced engineers spent a couple of days getting me started on it and outlined the remaining tasks. I took it from there, working with the other engineers on similar projects. The company was developing an entire new line of process control equipment, of which my project was one of the devices. Because of the unanticipated change in the project personnel, my manager expected a few months delay, but I completed the project by the original deadline. After that, there were other projects that I did not do so well on. But because I had succeeded so well in the beginning, it was not viewed negatively.
Kyle Miller
Welding Technologies instructor - Pipe TradesBellingham Technical College
Precision Metal Working
What general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Kyle Miller: The advice I feel the most compelled to offer, based on personal experience, is to embrace the first few years in the field as a nebulous growth period. There is often a rush for graduates to 'realize their identity' in the field, at the risk of narrowing their potential in the trades. The first year or two is a great time to shake every hand and make every acquaintance possible. A lot of those interactions can help guide a trades-person along a pathway they didn't realize was possible upon their first steps into the working world.
What general advice would you give to a Validation Engineer?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: A primary reason is the value placed on the quantitative nature of an engineering degree and the fact that this is primarily applied learning and skills, as opposed to the theoretical nature of some other areas of quantitative study. Being able to start working as soon as they start is very attractive to employers, as well as the broad knowledge of software, artificial intelligence, and data science that most engineers leave school with.
What will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: I believe it’s the old notion of what an engineer is, and being pigeonholed. This notion, even among legacy institutions, is fading quite quickly as engineers move into all types of businesses and roles.
Dr. Imane Khalil
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of Graduate ProgramsUniversity of San Diego
Mechanical Engineering
What Validation Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Imane Khalil: While technologies like AI and data science are becoming important across all sectors from medicine to engineering, the most crucial skill for any profession remains people skills. Continuously developing your interpersonal abilities, such as respecting colleagues, honesty, reliability, and effective communication, is the most important key to success at work.
What will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Imane Khalil: It's important not to limit yourself in terms of the type of work or the product you want to be involved in creating at the start of your career. Any engineering job is fine to start your career. You may not yet have the experience to know your preferences. Instead, seek out opportunities for rotational positions that expose you to different stages of product creation, from design to analysis, development, testing, and manufacturing. All products go through the same cycle (design, analysis, development, testing, and at the end manufacturing). Explore and see what you enjoy doing.
What will help Validation Engineers increase their earning potential?
Prof. Harold Evensen: Engineering Physics students and graduates like gaining an understanding of the “physics” of why or how something works, and then applying this knowledge to make judgments and improvements. They also like learning and applying knowledge from several disciplines. A common “dislike” is beyond their control: some employers may not understand what “Engineering Physics” is, or may have incorrect preconceived notions. At UW-Platteville, employers are familiar with this major, which is approaching 30 years on campus. Additionally, faculty work with students on how to present their “story” to employers. Engineering Physics students need to be able to present their strengths and abilities to employers, and often can’t rely only on “name recognition.” In the long run, this is better, anyway. Overall, we have had success: among accredited Engineering Physics degree programs in the U.S., UW-Platteville puts the most graduates directly into industry!