How to become a Validation Engineer

Validation engineering is a broad term encompassing a group of engineers that specialize in various types of quality control. A validation engineer is a skilled professional, who primarily tests and calibrates the procedures and equipment used in the development and manufacturing of a variety of products to ensure their compliance with the necessary specifications. The primary aim of validation engineers is to, ensure the production of quality products by testing, managing, inspecting, calibrating and modifying equipment, procedures, mechanics, and devices involved.  A validation engineer may specialize in process validation, equipment validation or computer systems validation. Validation engineers can be found in laboratories, research facilities, as well as manufacturing plants, owing to the versatility of the role. Thus, the majority of employers that offer validation engineer jobs are Manufacturers, including the aviation and food industries,  Hospitals, Pharmaceutical companies, Biotechnology labs, and Research institutions. 

Validation engineering jobs typically depend on the area of specialization. Generally, it comprises of the following tasks:

• Prepare validation schedules
• Conduct validation tests of new or existing procedures, instrumentation or software
• Analyze test data 
• Ensure the processes are in  accordance with the internal protocol and external standards
• Maintain and create databases for tracking validation tests
• Identify any deviations
• Interpret client requirements
• Oversee the work of validation test technicians

• Validation engineering jobs require certain skills and inclinations along with a relevant educational background in order to excel in the field.
• Validation engineering aspirants should generally be methodical, organized, proficient with, mathematics and IT skills.
• They are expected to be excellent problem-solvers, have a keen eye for details and have great communication skills.
• These are certain attributes that may not be mentioned in the validation engineering job description, but employers certainly look for them in aspirants.

In order to enroll into a Bachelor’s program at an esteemed university, aspirants are expected to clear the JEE main and subsequently, the JEE Advance exam which makes the aspirant eligible to apply anywhere in India. It is a very difficult and challenging exam to crack that requires hard work as well as rigorous and consistent preparation. Some states have their own entrance exams that are admissible in their respective universities. Many educational institutes conduct their own entrance tests.

Depending on one’s educational background, experience, and skillsets, aspirants may apply for the following validation engineering jobs: 

• System Validation Engineer
• Product Validation Engineer 
• Software Verification & Validation Engineer
• Verification & Validation Engineer
• Senior Validation engineer
• Validation specialist
• Validation manager