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Validation Engineer I Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Nuro

Test Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132K - $198K/yr

Practical experience with HIL/bench hardware integration (power supplies, DAQ/I/O, cabling, and ... engineering principles such as defining requirements and formal verification and validation

Nuro

Test Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132K - $198K/yr

Practical experience with HIL/bench hardware integration (power supplies, DAQ/I/O, cabling, and ... engineering principles such as defining requirements and formal verification and validation

Nuro

Test Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

Practical experience with HIL/bench hardware integration (power supplies, DAQ/I/O, cabling, and ... engineering principles such as defining requirements and formal verification and validation

CYNET SYSTEMS

Validation Engineer 4

San Jose, CA · On-site

$80 - $88/hr

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with 8+ years of related experience or ... Platform level electrical characterization experience with processor I/O interfaces is preferred.

Broadcom Inc.

$120 - $192/hr

Overview Broadcom is looking for a Silicon Design and Validation Engineer to perform design ... System‑level knowledge of current and next‑generation optical and electrical high‑speed I/Os ...

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Validation Engineer I information

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How much do validation engineer i jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for validation engineer i in California is $51.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.89 and $62.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Validation Engineer I?

A Validation Engineer I is an entry-level professional responsible for ensuring that systems, equipment, or processes meet regulatory standards and function as intended. They typically work in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, or manufacturing, performing tasks such as creating validation protocols, executing tests, and documenting results. Their work helps maintain product quality and compliance with industry regulations. Validation Engineer I roles often involve collaboration with quality assurance and production teams. This position is ideal for those with a background in engineering or science seeking to start a career in quality and compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by a Validation Engineer I during project execution?

As a Validation Engineer I, one common challenge is managing tight project timelines while ensuring all validation protocols and documentation meet regulatory standards. New engineers often need to quickly familiarize themselves with complex equipment, processes, and compliance requirements specific to the industry, such as FDA or ISO guidelines. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D, is essential to troubleshoot issues and ensure smooth validation processes. Developing effective communication skills and attention to detail will help you overcome these challenges and contribute positively to project success.

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

To succeed as a Validation Engineer I, you typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field and a solid understanding of validation protocols and industry regulations. Familiarity with technical tools such as validation management software, data analysis programs, and documentation systems is common, as well as knowledge of GMP standards. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills help set top performers apart. These competencies are vital to ensure that processes and equipment meet regulatory requirements and function reliably within quality-driven industries.

What is the difference between Validation Engineer I vs Validation Engineer II?

AspectValidation Engineer IValidation Engineer II
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field; often entry-level certificationsSame as Validation Engineer I, with additional experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, pharmaceutical, or biotech facilities; supervised tasksMore independent responsibilities; oversight of validation processes
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in regulated industries like pharma and biotechProgression role within the same industries
Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level validation roles; understanding career progressionMid-level validation roles; seeking advancement opportunities

The main difference between Validation Engineer I and Validation Engineer II lies in experience and responsibility. Validation Engineer II typically has more hands-on experience, handles more complex validation tasks, and may oversee Validation Engineer I activities. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but Validation Engineer II often involves greater independence and technical expertise.

Are validation engineers in demand?

Validation engineers are in demand across industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and manufacturing, where regulatory compliance and quality assurance are critical. They often require knowledge of validation protocols, industry standards, and tools like GxP and risk management, making their skills valuable in regulated environments.

Do validation engineers make good money?

Validation engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary by industry, experience, and location. Entry-level validation engineers can expect to start around $60,000 to $80,000 annually, with experienced professionals earning over $100,000, especially in regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals or biotech. Skills in validation protocols, regulatory compliance, and tools like GxP are valuable for higher compensation.

What are popular job titles related to Validation Engineer I jobs in California?

For Validation Engineer I jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Validation Engineer I jobs in California look for?

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Validation Engineer I jobs near you
Infographic showing various Validation Engineer I job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,736 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Silicon Validation Engineer, Infra Silicon

Meta

Sunnyvale, CA

$178K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 246 rated software companies

Job description

Meta's Infrastructure Silicon organization is seeking a Silicon Validation Engineer to lead silicon validation efforts for custom-designed accelerators and infrastructure ASICs powering Meta's data center fleet. In this role, you will drive end-to-end validation strategy across the full silicon lifecycle — from pre-silicon planning and emulation-based verification through post-silicon bring-up, characterization, and fleet-scale deployment. You will serve as a technical authority bridging silicon design, systems architecture, and production infrastructure, ensuring that Meta's custom silicon meets rigorous performance, reliability, and functional requirements at scale.
Silicon Validation Engineer, Infra Silicon Responsibilities:
  • Define and own comprehensive validation strategies for custom infrastructure ASICs, spanning functional correctness, performance characterization, reliability stress testing, and power analysis across pre- and post-silicon phases
  • Lead pre-silicon validation planning using simulation and emulation environments, authoring test plans that map to architectural specifications and cover corner cases across compute, memory, and I/O subsystems
  • Drive post-silicon bring-up activities including board-level debug, firmware integration, and systematic root-cause analysis of silicon failures using lab instrumentation and diagnostic tooling
  • Develop and maintain automated validation frameworks, silicon diagnostics, and performance analysis tools that scale from early lab environments to large-scale data center deployments
  • Collaborate with ASIC design, architecture, and physical design teams to provide validation feedback that influences design-for-testability decisions and next-generation silicon architecture
  • Establish and track silicon quality metrics, characterization data, and yield analysis to inform productization decisions and deployment readiness gates
  • Partner with systems and firmware engineering teams to validate host-side integration, PCIe and fabric interconnects, thermal management, and power delivery across full-stack server configurations
  • Identify systemic silicon failure modes observed in the production fleet and drive corrective actions through design errata documentation, firmware workarounds, or architectural improvements
  • Mentor other engineers on validation methodology, debug techniques, and best practices for infrastructure silicon bring-up and characterization
  • Contribute to long-term validation infrastructure roadmaps, defining tooling investments and methodology improvements that improve coverage and reduce time-to-production for future silicon generations

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 8+ years of experience in silicon validation, hardware systems engineering, or post-silicon bring-up for custom ASICs, SoCs, or accelerator designs
  • 8+ years of experience with pre-silicon validation environments including RTL simulation, emulation platforms, or FPGA prototyping
  • Experience with post-silicon debug methodologies including use of logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG, and protocol analyzers for PCIe, DDR, or high-speed serial interfaces
  • Experience developing validation automation frameworks and diagnostic tooling using Python, C, or C++
  • Experience collaborating across ASIC design, architecture, firmware, and systems teams throughout the silicon development lifecycle

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with data center infrastructure silicon including AI/ML accelerators, network ASICs, or storage controllers in large-scale fleet environments
  • Experience defining design-for-testability requirements and contributing to silicon architecture reviews from a validation perspective
  • Familiarity with server systems architecture including PCIe topology, memory subsystems, and BMC-based platform management
  • Experience with power and thermal characterization, reliability stress testing, and silicon yield analysis for productization

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$178,000/year to $250,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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