Validation Engineers
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-2112.02
Design or plan protocols for equipment or processes to produce products meeting internal and external purity, safety, and quality requirements.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.037
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.37
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only22 rated tasks · 20 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (90.9%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Design validation study features, such as sampling, testing, or analytical methodologies.O*NET Task ID 18128 | 1.0 |
Develop validation master plans, process flow diagrams, test cases, or standard operating procedures.O*NET Task ID 18129 | 1.0 |
Prepare validation or performance qualification protocols for new or modified manufacturing processes, systems, or equipment for production of pharmaceuticals, electronics, or other products.O*NET Task ID 18130 | 1.0 |
Create, populate, or maintain databases for tracking validation activities, test results, or validated systems.O*NET Task ID 18133 | 1.0 |
Direct validation activities, such as protocol creation or testing.O*NET Task ID 18134 | 1.0 |
Prepare detailed reports or design statements, based on results of validation and qualification tests or reviews of procedures and protocols.O*NET Task ID 18137 | 1.0 |
Resolve testing problems by modifying testing methods or revising test objectives and standards.O*NET Task ID 18139 | 1.0 |
Communicate with regulatory agencies regarding compliance documentation or validation results.O*NET Task ID 18142 | 1.0 |
Participate in internal or external training programs to maintain knowledge of validation principles, industry trends, or novel technologies.O*NET Task ID 18145 | 1.0 |
Prepare, maintain, or review validation and compliance documentation, such as engineering change notices, schematics, or protocols.O*NET Task ID 18146 | 1.0 |
Devise automated lab validation test stations or other test fixtures or equipment.O*NET Task ID 21054 | 1.0 |
Conduct validation or qualification tests of new or existing processes, equipment, or software in accordance with internal protocols or external standards.O*NET Task ID 18127 | 0.5 |
Analyze validation test data to determine whether systems or processes have met validation criteria or to identify root causes of production problems.O*NET Task ID 18131 | 0.5 |
Conduct audits of validation or performance qualification processes to ensure compliance with internal or regulatory requirements.O*NET Task ID 18132 | 0.5 |
Assist in training equipment operators or other staff on validation protocols and standard operating procedures.O*NET Task ID 18141 | 0.5 |
Coordinate the implementation or scheduling of validation testing with affected departments and personnel.O*NET Task ID 18143 | 0.5 |
Plan or conduct validation testing of alternative energy products, such as synthetic jet fuels or energy storage systems, such as fuel cells.O*NET Task ID 19646 | 0.5 |
Validate or characterize sustainable or environmentally friendly products, using electronic testing platforms.O*NET Task ID 19647 | 0.5 |
Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards.O*NET Task ID 21051 | 0.5 |
Recommend resolution of identified deviations from established product or process standards.O*NET Task ID 21052 | 0.5 |
Maintain validation test equipment.O*NET Task ID 18144 | 0.0 |
Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing.O*NET Task ID 21053 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (21)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Conduct validation or qualification tests of new or existing processes, equipment, or software in accordance with internal protocols or external standards. | Core |
| Design validation study features, such as sampling, testing, or analytical methodologies. | Core |
| Develop validation master plans, process flow diagrams, test cases, or standard operating procedures. | Core |
| Prepare validation or performance qualification protocols for new or modified manufacturing processes, systems, or equipment for production of pharmaceuticals, electronics, or other products. | Core |
| Analyze validation test data to determine whether systems or processes have met validation criteria or to identify root causes of production problems. | Core |
| Conduct audits of validation or performance qualification processes to ensure compliance with internal or regulatory requirements. | Core |
| Create, populate, or maintain databases for tracking validation activities, test results, or validated systems. | Core |
| Direct validation activities, such as protocol creation or testing. | Core |
| Prepare detailed reports or design statements, based on results of validation and qualification tests or reviews of procedures and protocols. | Core |
| Resolve testing problems by modifying testing methods or revising test objectives and standards. | Core |
| Assist in training equipment operators or other staff on validation protocols and standard operating procedures. | Core |
| Communicate with regulatory agencies regarding compliance documentation or validation results. | Core |
| Coordinate the implementation or scheduling of validation testing with affected departments and personnel. | Core |
| Maintain validation test equipment. | Core |
| Participate in internal or external training programs to maintain knowledge of validation principles, industry trends, or novel technologies. | Core |
| Prepare, maintain, or review validation and compliance documentation, such as engineering change notices, schematics, or protocols. | Core |
| Validate or characterize sustainable or environmentally friendly products, using electronic testing platforms. | Core |
| Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards. | Core |
| Recommend resolution of identified deviations from established product or process standards. | Core |
| Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing. | Core |
| Devise automated lab validation test stations or other test fixtures or equipment. | Supplemental |
0.18/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Conduct validation or qualification tests of new or existing processes, equipment, or software in accordance with internal protocols or external standards. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain validation test equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 17-2112 group (Industrial engineers), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 365K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 411K
- Change (2025–35)
- +12.4%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $102,440
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23990 | 그 외 공학 관련 기술자 및 시험원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2141Industrial and Production Engineers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Industrial and production engineers conduct research and design, organize and oversee the construction, operation and maintenance of industrial production processes and installations. They establish programmes for the coordination of manufacturing activities and assess cost effectiveness and safety.
Tasks
- (a) studying functional statements, organizational charts and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication;
- (b) establishing work measurement programmes and analysing work samples to develop standards for labour utilization;
- (c) analysing workforce utilization, facility layout, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum worker and equipment efficiencies;
- (d) developing specifications for manufacture, and determining materials, equipment, piping, material flows, capacities and layout of plant and systems;
- (e) organizing and managing project labour and the delivery of materials, plant and equipment;
- (f) establishing standards and policies for installation, modification, quality control, testing, inspection and maintenance according to engineering principles and safety regulations;
- (g) inspecting plant to improve and maintain performance;
- (h) directing the maintenance of plant buildings and equipment, and coordinating the requirements for new designs, surveys and maintenance schedules;
- (i) advising management on new production methods, techniques and equipment;
- (j) liaising with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies.
Example occupations
Industrial efficiency engineer · Industrial engineer · Industrial plant engineer · Production engineer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- quality engineerESCO 2149.2.7Same scope
Quality engineers define quality standards for the creation of products or services. They check to make sure the products and services are in compliance with the quality standards and they coordinate quality improvements.
- compliance engineerESCO 2149.2.7.1Overlapping, not the same
Compliance engineers strive to keep the highest compliance of systems with engineering specifications. They can exert compliance in a varied array of engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, electronical systems. They ensure the engineering complies with regulations, safety measures, and internal directives.
- flight test engineerESCO 2152.1.2Overlapping, not the same
Flight test engineers work with other systems engineers to plan the tests in detail and to make sure that the recording systems are installed for the required data parameters. They analyse the data collected during test flights and produce reports for individual test phases and for the final flight test. They are also responsible for the safety of the test operations.
- test engineerESCO 2149.14Overlapping, not the same
Test engineers plan and perform detailed quality tests during various phases of the design process to make sure that the systems are properly installed and function correctly. They analyse the data collected during tests and produce reports. They are also responsible for the safety of the test operations.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H1511 | Chargé / Chargée de validation-qualification en industrie pharmaceutique | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| H1520 | Ingénieur qualité / Ingénieure qualité | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| H1521 | Technicien / Technicienne de validation-qualification | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2431 | Ingenieros industriales y de producción | Related, not a match |
| 3160 | Técnicos de control de calidad de las ciencias físicas, químicas y de las ingenierías | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 27314 | Berufe in der technischen Qualitätssicherung - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Same scope |
| 27313 | Berufe in der technischen Qualitätssicherung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 082 | 電気・電子・電気通信技術者（通信ネットワーク技術者を除く）（開発を除く） | Related, not a match |
| 083 | 機械技術者（開発を除く） | Related, not a match |
| 087 | 化学技術者（開発を除く） | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources