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Principal Validation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eridu AI

ASIC Validation Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$185K - $250K/yr

Position Overview We are hiring multiple positions from Sr. Engineer to Principal Engineer. We are looking for a highly experienced Post-Silicon ASIC Validation Engineer with deep expertise in ...

AMERICAN REGENT

Validation Engineer II

New Albany, OH · On-site

Strong knowledge and understanding of cGMP regulations and practices pertaining to validation principals, manufacturing processes, quality systems, engineering design fundamentals, regulatory agency ...

Civica Rx

Validation Engineer II (377)

Lehi, UT

Serve as Principal Investigator for validation-related excursions. * Contribute to the continuous improvement of validation processes and procedures. * Bachelor's degree in engineering or relevant ...

Civica Rx

Validation Engineer II (377)

Lehi, UT · On-site

Serve as Principal Investigator for validation-related excursions. * Contribute to the continuous improvement of validation processes and procedures. * Bachelor's degree in engineering or relevant ...

Aequor

Validation Engineer I

Vacaville, CA

... principals, quality policies, standards and core values. Maintains company's right to operate ... Minimum of two years' experience in Validation or equipment qualification is desired. Ability to ...

Lancesoft

Validation Engineer I

Vacaville, CA · On-site

$26.58 - $44.30/hr

... principals, quality policies, standards and core values. Maintains company s right to operate ... Minimum of two years experience in Validation or equipment qualification is desired. Ability to ...

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$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal validation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal validation engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Principal Validation Engineer?

A Principal Validation Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading and overseeing the validation processes within engineering projects, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals, electronics, or manufacturing. They ensure that products, equipment, or systems meet regulatory standards and function as intended through rigorous testing and documentation. Principal Validation Engineers often develop validation protocols, analyze test results, and mentor junior engineers. Their work is crucial for quality assurance and compliance with industry regulations.

What is the difference between Principal Validation Engineer vs Validation Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Validation EngineerValidation Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (BSc, MSc, or PhD) and extensive industry experienceUsually requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads validation projects, oversees teams, and collaborates with cross-functional departmentsPerforms validation tasks, executes protocols, and documents results under supervision
Industry UsageCommonly found in pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industriesWidely used across similar regulated industries for validation activities

The main difference between a Principal Validation Engineer and a Validation Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership scope. The Principal Validation Engineer typically holds advanced credentials, leads validation strategies, and manages teams, whereas the Validation Engineer focuses on executing validation tasks under guidance. Both roles are essential in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and medical devices, but the Principal role involves higher-level planning and oversight.

How does a Principal Validation Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during new product development?

As a Principal Validation Engineer, you will frequently work alongside design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure that products meet regulatory and performance standards. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, establishing validation strategies, and communicating test results to stakeholders. Your expertise will be crucial in troubleshooting issues and recommending design modifications, making strong communication and teamwork skills essential. This collaborative approach not only ensures product reliability but also streamlines the development process and supports continuous improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Validation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Validation Engineer, you need deep expertise in validation protocols, regulatory compliance (such as FDA or ISO standards), and a relevant engineering or science degree. Familiarity with validation lifecycle documentation, risk management tools, and computerized systems validation (CSV) is typically required, along with certifications like Six Sigma or ASQ CQA being advantageous. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies ensure that products and processes consistently meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational goals.
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Principal Validation Engineer jobs near you
Principal Optical Module Validation Engineer

Principal Optical Module Validation Engineer

Astera Labs

San Jose, CA • On-site

$160K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs' Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company's COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company's custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.
Job Overview
As a Principal Optical Module Validation Engineer at Astera Labs, you will be working alongside many functions in the company, from Marketing to Engineering, Validation and Applications. You will be responsible for validating optical systems that incorporate Astera Labs' diverse range of connectivity and memory products that are widely used by leading cloud service providers, server manufacturers, and network OEMs. You will be involved in every stage of design, from concept, test, to mass production.
In addition to your core responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to drive innovation within the organization by providing insightful feedback to internal teams. Your expertise and suggestions will contribute to the continuous improvement of our products and processes. You may also collaborate on or even lead activities that are closely related, such as manufacturing, customer engagement, and post-production support.
We are looking for an ideal candidate who brings industry experience, possesses innovative thinking, and demonstrates a high level of expertise in their field. Moreover, you should exhibit a proactive "do what it takes" attitude, always ready to assist and contribute wherever necessary to effectively solve problems and achieve successful outcomes.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Strong academic and technical background in direct detect optical systems for data center applications
  • Bachelor's in EE is required; Master's is preferred.
  • Minimum of 8 years' experience in optical link analysis and module design, from component selection and schematic capture through bring-up, debug, optimization, and validation.

Required Experience:
  • Understanding of high speed (>32Gbps) signal and power integrity challenges for electro-optical interfaces
  • Technical knowledge of single mode (preferred) and/or multimode optical systems design, simulation and manufacturing.
  • Optical simulation flow experience for link analysis
  • Optical system bring-up and debug experience.
  • Hands-on optical equipment measurements such as TDECQ, Laser Rin and/or optical system BER
  • Understanding of FW closed-loop systems required for laser, modulator, and PD systems
  • Track record of taking products from concept to mass production

Preferred Experience/Nice to Have:
  • Working with mechanical and thermal teams to create achievable system design specifications.
  • Working with silicon characterization/validation teams to ensure device performance is readily achievable in customer systems.
  • Technical writing skills to generate clear, precise documentation such as hardware specifications and user's guides for internal and customer-facing audiences.
  • Experience in "adjacent" areas such as manufacturing, quality, compliance.
  • Experience working with CMs, OSTATs and other external suppliers

The base salary range is $160,000 - $240,000. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions.
We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.

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