Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Validation Planner

💰 $ - $

EngineeringQuality AssuranceProduct DevelopmentAutomotiveManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Validation Planner is the strategic architect of a product's entire testing and verification journey. This professional doesn't just execute tests; they design, orchestrate, and manage the comprehensive validation strategy from the initial concept through to production launch and beyond. You are the central hub, translating complex customer, regulatory, and engineering requirements into a tangible, time-bound, and resource-managed plan. Success in this role means ensuring a product is not only functional but also robust, reliable, and fully compliant, safeguarding both the company's reputation and the end-user's safety and satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Validation / Test Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Systems Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Validation Planner / Manager
  • Test Engineering Manager
  • Program Manager
  • Systems Engineering Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Project Engineer
  • Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
  • Reliability Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, author, and meticulously maintain the master Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) for complex systems and components, ensuring complete traceability from requirements to test results.
  • Act as the primary interface between Design Engineering, Program Management, and Test Labs to define the scope, timing, and budget for all validation activities.
  • Create and manage a detailed, integrated validation schedule that aligns with critical program milestones, proactively identifying any risks to the timeline.
  • Plan and coordinate the execution of a wide array of tests, including environmental, durability, performance, electrical, and EMC/EMI validation, across internal and external lab facilities.
  • Lead the technical interpretation of customer specifications and industry standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, IEC) to derive specific, actionable, and compliant test requirements.
  • Manage the allocation of critical resources, including test benches, environmental chambers, data acquisition equipment, and specialized engineering support.
  • Drive the procurement, build, and instrumentation of test articles and prototypes, ensuring they are representative of the intended design for valid test outcomes.
  • Chair Test Readiness Reviews to formally confirm that all prerequisites—personnel, facilities, hardware, software, and safety protocols—are in place before test execution.
  • Analyze test data and results to identify performance trends, characterize failures, and provide clear, data-driven feedback to the design and systems engineering teams.
  • Lead root cause analysis efforts for test failures, collaborating with cross-functional experts to diagnose issues and track the implementation of corrective actions.
  • Generate and present regular, high-level status reports on validation progress, risks, and key findings to program leadership and executive stakeholders.
  • Manage the validation budget, tracking expenditures for external lab services, equipment rentals, and material consumption, while providing accurate financial forecasts.
  • Review and formally approve test procedures and reports submitted by validation engineers, guaranteeing accuracy, completeness, and adherence to the master plan.
  • Define and oversee the complete traceability matrix, ensuring every system and component requirement is explicitly linked to a specific validation case and its outcome.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for customer-facing discussions on validation strategy, negotiating test plans, and presenting final evidence of compliance for product sign-off.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the validation process, researching and implementing new methodologies, tools, and automation to enhance efficiency and test coverage.
  • Manage the logistics and coordination for system or vehicle-level testing at external proving grounds, including shipping, instrumentation, and on-site support.
  • Oversee the configuration management of all units under test, ensuring that the precise hardware and software levels are documented for every test conducted.
  • Conduct comprehensive risk assessments on the validation plan itself, identifying potential roadblocks such as resource constraints or technical challenges, and developing robust contingency plans.
  • Prepare the final validation and compliance summary report, compiling all test evidence into a cohesive package for regulatory submissions and final product release gates.

Secondary Functions

  • Support root cause analysis teams with detailed test data and exploratory analysis.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of validation standards and organizational best practices.
  • Collaborate with the quality department on field failure data to refine future validation plans.
  • Participate in program-level core team meetings and design reviews, representing the Verification & Validation (V&V) function.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep proficiency in creating and managing Design Verification Plans & Reports (DVP&R).
  • Strong knowledge of industry-specific standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 60601, DO-160, MIL-STD-810).
  • Expertise with test management and requirements tracking software (e.g., JAMA, Polarion, IBM DOORS, JIRA).
  • Practical experience with data acquisition (DAQ) systems and analysis tools (e.g., LabVIEW, CANalyzer, Vector CANoe, Dewesoft).
  • Comprehensive understanding of various testing methodologies, including environmental (thermal, humidity, shock/vibe), EMC, HALT/HASS, and reliability testing.
  • Ability to read, interpret, and deconstruct complex engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical specifications.
  • Competency in formal project management practices and software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) for scheduling and critical path analysis.
  • Foundational knowledge of the Systems Engineering V-model and its application to the product development lifecycle.
  • Experience applying statistical analysis methods (e.g., Weibull, Gage R&R) to test data for making informed engineering decisions.
  • Familiarity with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and its role in driving validation requirements.
  • Knowledge of vehicle communication protocols like CAN, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Planning: Ability to see the big picture and develop long-range plans while managing short-term details.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Skill in influencing and coordinating with diverse teams without direct authority.
  • Exceptional Communication: Capable of translating complex technical concepts into clear, concise information for any audience, from engineers to executives.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A precise and thorough approach to planning, documentation, and data review.
  • Systematic Problem-Solving: A structured and data-driven approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex issues.
  • Negotiation & Influence: The ability to align stakeholders with differing priorities on a common path forward.
  • Risk Management: Proactive in identifying potential issues and developing effective mitigation strategies.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and technical challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Engineering or a technical field.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a strong asset.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10 years of progressive experience in a product development and testing environment.

Preferred: Demonstrated experience in a product development lifecycle, with a proven track record of planning and executing complex validation programs from concept to launch. Experience in a highly regulated industry such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, or defense is highly desirable. Candidates should be able to provide clear examples of DVP&Rs they have authored and managed.

Explore More Careers