Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards.
• Analyse validation test data to determine whether systems or processes have met validation criteria or to identify root causes of production problems.
• Develop validation master plans, process flow diagrams, test cases, or standard operating procedures.
• Prepare detailed reports or design statements, based on results of validation and qualification tests or reviews of procedures and protocols.
• Maintain validation test equipment.
• Conduct validation or qualification tests of new or existing processes, equipment, or software in accordance with internal protocols or external standards.
• Communicate with regulatory agencies regarding compliance documentation or validation results.
• Prepare, maintain, or review validation and compliance documentation, such as engineering change notices, schematics, or protocols.
• Recommend resolution of identified deviations from established product or process standards.
• Design validation study features, such as sampling, testing, or analytical methodologies.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

The minimum level of education for a validation engineer is a Bachelors degree in a science field and several years experience in the field of validation. Many validation technicians work towards their Bachelors or Masters degrees while employed by a lab so that upon graduation they have both their degree and work experience.

Depending on the type of equipment and facility the validation engineer should have a good mechanical understanding of laboratory equipment as well as a background in computers. Additional certification for calibration of equipment is often considered critical. Some pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies require additional training in Aseptic Processing Guidelines as well as GLP and GMP training.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship ICT skills development, Automated Software Testing, Software development NFQ level 5 search FET courses

FET centre Post leaving cert Software development for apps/ games / Network Architecture at NFQ level 5-6 search PLC courses

Apprenticeship ICT Software Developer, Software Solutions Architect at NFQ Level 6-9 search apprenticeships

Higher education entry routes CAO Computing - Software Development, Computing with Software Development, Software Systems Development, Applied Computing (Common Entry), Computer Science, 
Computing, Computing Science courses at NFQ level 6-8 search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Advanced Software Engineering, Applied Software Development, Computer Science - Advanced Software Development, Computing - Enterprise Software Systems, Software Design & Development at NFQ level 9

Springboard courses ICT Conversion Software development courses are also available via courses at NFQ level 6-9 Search Springboardcourses

ICT Skillnets for job seekers & upskilling for people in employment

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €85k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar /CPL/ Collins McNicolas/ Indeed/ Salary Expert/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here