Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Verification Program Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Verification Program Technician is responsible for executing and maintaining verification and validation activities that ensure products, assemblies, instruments and processes meet defined requirements and regulatory standards. This role combines hands-on testing, inspection, calibration support, data collection and documentation with cross-functional coordination to sustain program integrity, traceability and continuous improvement. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, technically capable with test equipment, and experienced in following SOPs, work instructions and quality management system requirements (e.g., ISO 9001 / ISO 17025 / GMP).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Quality Inspector / Incoming Inspection Technician with experience in part verification and measurement
Laboratory Technician or Test Technician who performs hands‑on testing and data logging
Manufacturing or Assembly Technician with exposure to measurement, test equipment, and documentation

Advancement To:

Verification Program Specialist / Senior Verification Technician responsible for program design and oversight
Quality Engineer focusing on process validation, corrective actions and quality system improvements
Metrology / Calibration Supervisor or Lab Manager overseeing calibration and verification labs

Lateral Moves:

Calibration Technician / Metrology Technician maintaining and calibrating test instruments
Quality Auditor or Supplier Quality Representative conducting audits and supplier verification
Field Service Technician supporting verification and diagnostics for customer sites

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute verification and acceptance tests for assemblies, components, and finished products according to written protocols, standards and work instructions; document results accurately to maintain full traceability and audit readiness.
Perform functional testing using electronic test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, power supplies) and mechanical gauges to verify product conformance to engineering specifications and customer requirements.
Conduct first article inspections and in-process verification checks, creating detailed measurement reports and dimensional data that support product release decisions.
Maintain and operate specialized verification systems and fixtures, ensuring test setups are consistent, documented, and reproducible across shifts and operators.
Record, review and validate test data in laboratory information systems, LIMS, or quality databases; flag anomalies and escalate out-of-spec conditions to engineering or quality leads for disposition.
Execute calibration verification and transfer checks to confirm that measurement devices and test equipment are within tolerance prior to critical verification activities; coordinate formal calibrations with the calibration lab as needed.
Manage instrumentation condition by performing routine verification, preventative maintenance checks, and minor troubleshooting to minimize equipment downtime and ensure measurement integrity.
Prepare and maintain verification documentation including test plans, logs, batch records, lot verification certificates, and control charts in accordance with SOPs and regulatory requirements.
Support root cause investigations of verification failures by collecting evidence, reproducing defects under controlled conditions, and providing measurement data to cross-functional corrective action teams.
Implement and follow strict chain-of-custody and traceability procedures for samples, parts, and test artifacts to ensure compliance with customer contracts and regulatory audits.
Verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) by re-testing, re-inspecting, and documenting outcomes to close quality feedback loops.
Work directly with engineering, production, purchasing and suppliers to review verification criteria, sample plans, and acceptance criteria prior to production start or material release.
Train and mentor junior technicians and operators on verification procedures, safe equipment operation, proper documentation practices, and measurement best practices to raise overall team competency.
Participate in design verification and validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) for new equipment or processes, executing tests and compiling results into formal verification packages.
Operate statistical process control (SPC) tools, collect sample data, generate control charts and trend analyses to monitor verification performance and detect process drift early.
Perform non-conformance handling activities including segregation of affected materials, tagging, and preparing disposition paperwork until engineering or quality approves rework or scrap.
Ensure compliance with environmental, health and safety (EHS) policies during verification tasks by using PPE, following lockout/tagout procedures and maintaining clean work areas.
Prepare verification status reports and test summaries for program managers, quality engineers and external customers with an emphasis on clarity, completeness and actionable findings.
Support supplier and subcontractor verification by performing incoming inspections, supplier audits, or witnessing supplier verification activities to ensure upstream quality.
Coordinate and support external and internal audits by preparing verification records, demonstrating test procedures, and responding to auditor requests for evidence and clarification.
Contribute to verification program design by recommending test method improvements, automation opportunities, and tooling upgrades to increase throughput and measurement reliability.
Maintain spare parts, test fixtures, and verification supplies inventory; reorder consumables and coordinate equipment procurement to minimize interruptions to verification schedules.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to help engineering teams understand performance trends and verification outcomes.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by recommending measurement data collection practices and metadata standards that improve data quality.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for test systems, fixtures and reporting dashboards.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team to prioritize verification-related tasks and deliverables.
Assist in writing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions and training material to reflect current best practices and lessons learned.
Help evaluate and qualify new test equipment, software tools and automation that will reduce manual effort and improve verification throughput.
Provide on-call support for critical verification activities during production ramp-up, late-stage testing and customer acceptance events.
Coordinate cross-functional verification project schedules, ensuring resources, rigs and test bays are allocated efficiently to meet program milestones.
Maintain and file calibration certificates, verification certificates, and equipment history to ensure regulatory documentation is complete and accessible during inspections.
Participate in continuous improvement projects (Kaizen, 5S) focused on reducing verification cycle time, improving ergonomics and minimizing test variability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in performing electrical and electronic testing using multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, function generators and similar instrumentation.
Strong mechanical measurement skills using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMM interfaces and gage blocks to perform dimensional verification.
Experience with test data collection systems, LIMS, MES, MRP or quality management systems (e.g., SAP QM, MasterControl, TrackWise).
Working knowledge of calibration principles, traceability to national standards, and experience coordinating NIST/ISO 17025-calibrated instrumentation.
Familiarity with reading and interpreting engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and engineering specifications.
Competence in executing and documenting IQ/OQ/PQ, first article inspections (FAI), PPAP (if automotive) and other formal verification packages.
Ability to execute statistical process control (SPC), generate control charts, calculate capability indices (Cp, Cpk) and interpret verification data trends.
Experience with non-conformance reporting, CAPA processes, root cause analysis techniques such as 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams.
Hands-on experience with fixture setup, jigs, test harnesses, cable assemblies and verification rigs used in production and lab environments.
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel advanced functions for data analysis), basic scripting (Python/Matlab) or database querying for test data manipulation is a plus.
Knowledge of industry regulations and standards relevant to the role (ISO 9001, ISO 17025, FDA QSR, GMP, or MIL-STD depending on industry).
Experience with automated test equipment (ATE) operation or programming, fixture control and acceptance test software enhances effectiveness.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping to ensure verification integrity and audit readiness.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing test reports, communicating findings and interacting with cross-functional teams.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to think analytically, reproduce issues, and propose effective corrective actions.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also contribute effectively within a cross-disciplinary team.
Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple verification tasks under tight program timelines.
Adaptability to shifting priorities during product development cycles and production ramps.
Customer-focused orientation, able to present verification outcomes clearly to internal stakeholders and external customers.
Commitment to quality and continuous improvement, actively seeking process improvements and sharing best practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED with technical coursework or vocational training in electronics, mechanical measurement or manufacturing technology.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Electronics Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Metrology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field.
Certifications such as Certified Calibration Technician, IPC soldering certification, or quality-related certifications (CQIA, ASQ) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electronics / Electrical Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology / Metrology
Quality Assurance / Quality Engineering
Manufacturing Technology / Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in verification, test, inspection, calibration or lab technician roles involving production or laboratory verification activities.

Preferred: 3+ years of progressive experience performing verification and validation duties in a regulated or high-reliability environment (medical device, aerospace, defense, automotive, or semiconductor), with demonstrated familiarity with test equipment, documentation control, and quality management systems.