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Senior Validation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Engineer, Process Validation

Chicago, IL ยท On-site +1

$100K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Engineer, Process Validation is responsible for leading & supporting internal and external validation projects that enable commercialization of vital new life saving medicines. This ...

Senior Engineer, Process Validation

Chicago, IL ยท On-site +1

$100K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Senior Engineer, Process Validation is responsible for leading & supporting internal and external validation projects that enable commercialization of vital new life saving medicines. This ...

The AVP, Model Validation is responsible for model validation and ensure they are meeting Model Risk Management policies, standards, procedures as well as regulations (OCC2011-12/SR 11-7). This role ...

The AVP, Model Validation is responsible for model validation and ensure they are meeting Model Risk Management policies, standards, procedures as well as regulations (OCC2011-12/SR 11-7). This role ...

Work you'll do As a Senior Consultant, Regulatory, Risk, and Compliance on the Regulatory, Risk ... Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, computer science, engineering, or equivalent ...

Work you'll do As a Senior Consultant, Regulatory, Risk, and Compliance on the Regulatory, Risk ... Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, computer science, engineering, or equivalent ...

Work you'll do As a Senior Consultant, Regulatory, Risk, and Compliance on the Regulatory, Risk ... Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, computer science, engineering, or equivalent ...

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Senior Validation Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$35

$66

$101

How much do senior validation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior validation engineer in Chicago, IL is $66.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.27 and $75.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior validation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Validation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience in validation within regulated industries. Familiarity with validation protocols (IQ, OQ, PQ), statistical analysis tools, and systems like FDA 21 CFR Part 11 is crucial. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help ensure successful project outcomes and cross-functional collaboration. These skills and qualifications are essential to maintain product quality, meet regulatory standards, and drive continuous improvement.

What does a senior validation engineer do?

A Senior Validation Engineer is responsible for ensuring that products, systems, or processes meet regulatory standards and function as intended. They develop and execute validation protocols, analyze test data, and document results to confirm compliance with industry and company standards. Senior Validation Engineers often lead validation projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and mentor junior staff. Their work is critical in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and manufacturing, where product safety and efficacy are essential.

What are some typical challenges faced by senior validation engineers when leading validation projects?

Senior Validation Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing tight project timelines, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards, and coordinating cross-functional teams. Balancing the needs of production, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs requires strong communication and project management skills. Additionally, troubleshooting unexpected validation failures and documenting results thoroughly are key aspects that demand both technical expertise and attention to detail.

What is the difference between Senior Validation Engineer vs Validation Specialist?

AspectSenior Validation EngineerValidation Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related fields; often with certifications like GxP or CSVSimilar educational background; certifications like GxP or CSV are common
Work EnvironmentDesigns and oversees validation protocols in manufacturing, biotech, or pharmaceutical settingsExecutes validation tasks, tests, and documentation in similar environments
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical, biotech, medical device companiesSame industries, often working under validation teams
Search & ComparisonOften compared for experience level and responsibilitiesCommonly searched together for validation roles

The main difference is that a Senior Validation Engineer typically leads validation projects, designs protocols, and oversees validation activities, while a Validation Specialist focuses on executing validation tests and documentation. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the Senior Validation Engineer has more responsibility for planning and oversight.

What are the most commonly searched types of Validation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Validation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Validation Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Validation Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Validation Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $138,897 per year, or $66.8 per hour.

Validation Engineer (CQV, GMP, Life Sciences)

VBB

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Validation Engineer (CQV, GMP, Life Sciences)
  • Location: Greater Chicago
  • Salary: $70-100K + Bonus + Benefits
  • No Sponsorship, No Relocation

Are you looking to build a career in validation, commissioning, and qualification (CQV) within the pharmaceutical / life sciences industry? We're hiring a Validation Engineer who wants hands-on experience across IQ, OQ, PQ, exposure to real projects, and a clear path into leadership. This is an opportunity to grow quickly in a GMP-regulated environment, working alongside experienced engineers while taking ownership of meaningful validation work.
What You'll Do
  • Execute and support IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification), and PQ (Performance Qualification) protocols
  • Work on validation of lab systems, equipment, and utilities
  • Partner with engineering, validation teams, and lab stakeholders
  • Assist with project scheduling, coordination, and resource planning
  • Support commissioning & qualification (CQV) activities across projects
  • Contribute to GMP / GxP documentation and compliance efforts
  • Learn to lead validation workstreams and progress into a Validation Project Lead role
What We're Looking For
  • 5+ years of experience in:
    • Validation Engineering
    • CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, Validation)
    • or GMP-regulated environments (Pharma / Biotech)
  • Strong understanding of:
    • GMP / GxP / FDA regulations
    • Validation lifecycle (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, QA, and operations teams
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Coachable, driven, and motivated to grow into leadership
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field
  • Willingness to travel regionally (project-based work)
  • Experience with validation documentation, protocols, and execution
Nice to Have
  • Experience with lab systems, utilities, or manufacturing equipment validation
  • Exposure to commissioning activities (C&Q / CQV)
  • Familiarity with AI tools for validation or documentation
Why This Role
  • Hands-on experience across pharma validation projects
  • Clear path into senior validation or project leadership roles
  • Work alongside experienced engineers in regulated environments

Validation Engineer, Validation Specialist, CQV Engineer, Commissioning Engineer, Qualification Engineer, GMP Validation, GxP, IQ OQ PQ, Pharmaceutical Validation, Life Sciences Validation, Equipment Validation, Utilities Validation, Computer System Validation, CSV Engineer, FDA Compliance, GMP Engineer
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