Validation engineer vs validation specialist

The differences between validation engineers and validation specialists 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 validation specialist. Additionally, a validation specialist has an average salary of $91,034, 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 validation specialist are GMP, FDA, and IQ/OQ/PQ.

Validation engineer vs validation specialist overview

	Validation Engineer	Validation Specialist
Yearly salary	$82,004	$91,034
Hourly rate	$39.42	$43.77
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	28,394	2,812
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 validation specialist do?

A validation specialist participates in validation, calibration, and temperature mapping activities. You will perform various tasks that include measuring software or instrument performance, establishing and maintaining methods for controlling the manufacturing process, and developing efficient ways to analyze data and monitor product performance. As a validation specialist, you are responsible for developing and testing algorithms and performing failure analysis and software and hardware debugging. You are also expected to work closely with senior engineers to improve the quality assurance and development process.

Validation engineer vs validation specialist salary

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

	Validation Engineer	Validation Specialist
Average salary	$82,004	$91,034
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $107,000	Between $68,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	AQR Capital Management
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between validation engineer and validation specialist education

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

	Validation Engineer	Validation Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Biology
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	-

Validation engineer vs validation specialist demographics

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

	Validation Engineer	Validation Specialist
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 57.3% Female, 42.7%
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, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between validation engineer and validation specialist 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.

Validation specialist example responsibilities.

Manage all cleaning validation schedule and coordinate activities with QA and/or external laboratories and operations.
Perform cleaning validation for a bulk pharmaceutical blending facility and take part in GMP training of plant employees.
Qualify sterile transfer skid equipment, transfer and clean-in-place (CIP) processes.
Perform gap analysis of QC procedures and protocols for dissolution bath and washer machines.
Generate URS, ICA, and IOQ documents used to qualify and validate equipment.
Create and write procedures for validation, reliability, and returns departments for ISO certification.

Validation engineer vs validation specialist skills

Common validation engineer skills

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

Common validation specialist skills

GMP, 7%
FDA, 7%
IQ/OQ/PQ, 5%
Iq Oq Pq, 5%
Summary Reports, 4%
Laboratory Equipment, 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 Validation Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs