Validation engineer vs senior validation engineer

The differences between validation engineers and senior validation engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a validation engineer and a senior validation engineer. Additionally, a senior validation engineer has an average salary of $106,288, which is higher than the $82,004 average annual salary of a validation engineer.

The top three skills for a validation engineer include python, FDA and GMP. The most important skills for a senior validation engineer are FDA, GMP, and project management.

Validation engineer vs senior validation engineer overview

	Validation Engineer	Senior Validation Engineer
Yearly salary	$82,004	$106,288
Hourly rate	$39.42	$51.10
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	28,394	19,688
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

What does a validation engineer do?

A validation engineer is an individual responsible for managing, inspecting, testing, and modifying the instrumentation, equipment, mechanics, and procedures for the production of high-quality products. The professional's tasks include analyzing test results, preparing compliance reports, and keeping updated with industry standards and regulations. Validation engineers should possess core skills such as strong mathematical and information technology skills and the ability to resolve complex engineering problems. Possessing a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline is an advantage to qualify for the position.

What does a senior validation engineer do?

In the manufacturing industry, a Senior Validation Engineer specializes in inspecting and developing tools, equipment, and procedures, ensuring they adhere to company standards. Their responsibilities typically involve understanding project requirements, performing installations and calibrations, troubleshooting problems, creating and implementing tests, and conducting extensive research and analyses. They must also maintain records of all transactions and procedures, organize and update databases, and prepare reports regularly. Moreover, as a Senior Validation Engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior validation engineers, all while implementing the company's safety standards and regulations.

Validation engineer vs senior validation engineer salary

Validation engineers and senior validation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Validation Engineer	Senior Validation Engineer
Average salary	$82,004	$106,288
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $107,000	Between $80,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	Apple
Best paying industry	Technology	Pharmaceutical

Differences between validation engineer and senior validation engineer education

There are a few differences between a validation engineer and a senior validation engineer in terms of educational background:

	Validation Engineer	Senior Validation Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	Northeastern University

Validation engineer vs senior validation engineer demographics

Here are the differences between validation engineers' and senior validation engineers' demographics:

	Validation Engineer	Senior Validation Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 22.9% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 20.4% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between validation engineer and senior validation engineer duties and responsibilities

Validation engineer example responsibilities.

Manage the DFMEA and risk assessment/mitigation as development are on-going.
Manage a team of 15 technicians testing Intel's wireless products across all Microsoft's OS offerigns.
Coordinate a division of labor and manage next steps to validate SVM on Broadwell (BDW) client CPU.
Manage CSV quality compliance by meeting factory, corporate, federal and foreign inspections demonstrating regulatory control with no major findings.
Work with end users from different departments, possess strong analytical and risk assessment skills and managing multiple GLP system projects.
Coordinate and manage daily CIP validation testing activities.

Senior validation engineer example responsibilities.

Manage changes, deviations, investigations, and CAPAs via TrackWise.
Maintain and manage positive working relationships while assisting in all stages of CAPA management and resolution.
Manage all site validation activities including equipment qualification, management of outside validation consultants, change control and QA calibration approval.
Major focus are to review, participate in process validation, FMEA, remediation, IQ/OQ/PQ.
Develop validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ), write test scripts and lead process validation activities for various manufacturing processes.
Assess change controls, facility work orders and equipment risk assessments to ensure compliant/validate state of all GMP equipment and systems.

Validation engineer vs senior validation engineer skills

Common validation engineer skills

Python, 7%
FDA, 6%
GMP, 6%
Medical Devices, 5%
Test Results, 4%
Data Analysis, 4%

Common senior validation engineer skills

FDA, 8%
GMP, 7%
Project Management, 4%
Computer System, 4%
Cleaning Validation, 4%
Summary Reports, 4%

Validation Engineer vs. similar jobs

Validation Engineer related careers

Validation Engineer related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Architecture and Engineering Industry
Validation Engineer
Validation Engineer vs Senior Validation Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs