Validation engineer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work irregular hours, including weekends and evenings
- Usually work in workshops, factories and offices, and may travel nationally
- May work in noisy conditions
- Need to be accurate, logical and practical
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Test and improve industrial equipment and systems
- Design tests for industrial equipment
- Collect and analyse data
- Write data reports
- Document technical details
- Keep and organise records
- Conduct audits and validation tests
- Assess and adjust instruments and equipment
- Inspect finished products to find issues
- Find ways to improve systems
Outlook
Validation engineering is changing as industries adopt more automation, digital systems and data-driven processes. In sectors such as manufacturing, medical technology and software, organisations are placing greater emphasis on quality, compliance and reliability. Globally, trends including AI-assisted testing, continuous validation and digital workflows are influencing how products and systems are assessed and improved.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong analytical and critical thinking
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Problem-solving skills
- Understanding of quality and compliance requirements
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to work with data and digital tools
AUT programmes
- Mechanical Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering Technology
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Mechatronics Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.