Top 10 ASIC Design Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for an ASIC design engineer in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that employers value. Certifications provide proof of advanced training in the field and show potential employers that an individual has taken the time to learn the necessary skills needed to be successful in their role. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within a company or even with other companies. They also give engineers an edge over other applicants who may not have the same level of experience or qualifications. Finally, certifications are often required by employers when considering applicants for certain positions, so having the right certification can make a difference in getting hired.

This article reviews the top certifications for ASIC Design Engineers and explains how these can help to advance an asic design engineer's career.

What are ASIC Design Engineer Certifications?

ASIC Design Engineer Certification (ADEC) is a professional certification program that provides industry-recognized validation of an individual's knowledge and experience in the field of ASIC design engineering. The certification program is designed to provide assurance to employers and customers that those who have obtained the certification possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and efficiently in the ASIC design engineering field.

The ADEC certification program is administered by the International Council for ASIC Design Engineers (ICADE). This organization was established to promote excellence in ASIC design engineering by providing a professional standard for recognition of individuals who demonstrate mastery of this specialized field.

The ADEC certification process involves passing a comprehensive examination that tests an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to ASIC design engineering principles, practices, and concepts. In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must meet certain educational requirements such as having completed an accredited two-year or four-year degree program in electrical or computer engineering. The examination consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as logic synthesis, simulation, chip layout, test methods, verification techniques, low-power design strategies, system integration strategies, and much more.

Having an ADEC certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees alike. For employers, it can help them ensure they are hiring qualified personnel with the right skill set for their projects. For engineers seeking employment opportunities in the ASIC design engineering field, possessing ADEC certification can make them stand out among their peers and increase their chances of getting hired. Additionally, having an ADEC certification on one’s resume may also open up opportunities for advancement within one’s current company or position them for better jobs elsewhere.

Pro tip: When considering becoming an ASIC Design Engineer, make sure to research the most up-to-date certification requirements in your field. Many certifications require a combination of education, experience, and testing to gain the certification. Additionally, some certifications may have additional requirements such as continuing education or periodic re-certification.

Related: What does an ASIC Design Engineer do?

Top 10 ASIC Design Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to ASIC Design Engineers today.

1. Certified ASIC Design Engineer (CADE)

A Certified ASIC Design Engineer (CADE) is a professional certification that recognizes the technical expertise of an individual in the field of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design. This certification is offered by the International Electronics and Computer Technology Association (IECTA).

To become a CADE, an individual must have at least two years of experience in ASIC design and must pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as logic synthesis, timing analysis, verification techniques, and system-level design. It also tests candidates on their knowledge of industry standards and best practices for ASIC design.

The exam is administered online and takes about two hours to complete. Candidates must have access to a computer with internet connection in order to take the exam. The cost of taking the exam is $250 USD.

Once an individual has passed the CADE exam, they will receive a certificate from IECTA acknowledging their achievement. This certification can be used to demonstrate proficiency in ASIC design and can help individuals stand out from other job applicants or advance their career prospects within the field.

2. Certified Digital Design Engineer (CDDE)

Certified Digital Design Engineer (CDDE) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of digital design engineering principles and practices. This certification is offered by the International Association of Digital Design Engineers (IADDE).

The CDDE certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and skill in digital design engineering. To be eligible for this certification, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in digital design engineering or related fields. Additionally, they must pass an exam that covers topics such as microprocessors, digital systems design, embedded systems, computer architecture, and software development.

It typically takes about three months to complete the certification process. During this time, applicants must submit their application materials and take the exam. The cost of the CDDE certification varies depending on the applicant’s location and other factors; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

To get started with the CDDE certification process, interested individuals should visit the IADDE website and review all of the requirements for eligibility. They should then contact IADDE directly to apply for the program and register for the exam.

3. Certified Verification Engineer (CVE)

Certified Verification Engineer (CVE) is a professional certification program offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively verify, validate, and test systems engineering projects. The certification provides a comprehensive review of the principles and practices of system verification and validation, including risk management, requirements analysis, design verification, testing strategies, and system integration.

The certification process typically takes about 12 months from start to finish. In order to obtain the CVE certification, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as system architecture, requirements engineering, design verification and validation techniques, testing strategies, and project management. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts through case studies and practical examples.

In order to become certified as a Certified Verification Engineer (CVE), individuals must first submit an application form to INCOSE. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive instructions on how to prepare for the exam. Once they have passed the exam they will receive their official certificate from INCOSE.

The cost of obtaining a Certified Verification Engineer (CVE) certification varies depending on where you take your exam and what type of training you choose to pursue prior to taking it. Generally speaking though it can range anywhere from $500-$2000 USD depending on your individual circumstances.

4. Certified System-on-Chip Design Engineer (CSDE)

Certified System-on-Chip Design Engineer (CSDE) is a certification program offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It is designed to recognize engineers who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and expertise in system-on-chip design.

The certification requires a minimum of five years of experience in system-on-chip design, as well as successful completion of the CSDE exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as digital logic, microcontrollers, embedded systems, hardware/software co-design, and system integration.

To get the CSDE certification, you must first apply for the exam online. Once you have been approved to take the exam, you will need to register with Pearson VUE and pay a fee of $250 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from IEEE that verifies your achievement.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also meet certain requirements related to their professional experience in order to be eligible for the CSDE certification. These requirements include having at least five years of experience in system-on-chip design and having completed at least one project involving system-on-chip design within the past three years.

5. Certified VLSI Design Engineer (CVDE)

Certified VLSI Design Engineer (CVDE) is a professional certification program designed to help engineers demonstrate their skills in designing, building and testing complex integrated circuits. This certification is offered by the International VLSI Design Education Association (IVDEA), an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in VLSI design education.

The CVDE certification requires the applicant to have at least three years of experience in VLSI design, including two years of hands-on experience with actual designs. The applicant must also pass a written exam that covers topics such as digital logic design, microprocessors, memory systems, system-on-chip (SoC) architectures and other related topics.

To get the CVDE certification, applicants must first register for the exam online. Once registered, they will be sent an email with instructions on how to access the exam and complete it within a given time frame. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate via mail or email within two weeks of completing the exam.

The cost of taking the CVDE exam is $300 USD per person.

6. Certified FPGA Designer (CFD)

Certified FPGA Designer (CFD) is a certification program offered by the FPGA Academy, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive training and education in the field of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The CFD certification is designed to provide engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to design, implement, debug, and optimize FPGA designs.

The CFD certification consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on lab. The online course covers topics such as FPGA architecture, basic logic design principles, synthesis tools, timing analysis, and debugging techniques. The hands-on lab involves working on real-world projects that require students to apply their knowledge of FPGAs in order to complete the tasks.

The entire process typically takes between 4-6 months depending on how quickly you can complete the online course and lab assignments. In order to get certified as a CFD, you must pass both the online course and the hands-on lab with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of getting certified as a CFD varies depending on which package you choose. There are three different packages available ranging from $1,000-$2,500 USD. Each package includes access to the online course materials as well as access to the hands-on labs for up to 12 months.

7. Certified Embedded System Designer (CESD)

Certified Embedded System Designer (CESD) is a professional certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and implementation of embedded systems. The certification is intended to provide assurance that the certified individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to develop embedded systems that meet customer requirements.

The CESD certification requires applicants to pass a two-day exam that covers topics such as embedded system architecture, hardware/software integration, debugging techniques, and project management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies. Applicants must also demonstrate their experience in developing embedded systems through a portfolio submission.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to complete the certification process depending on an individual's experience level and study habits. To get started with the certification process, applicants must first register for the exam online or via mail. Once registered, they will receive an application packet from ISA which includes detailed instructions on how to prepare for and take the exam.

The cost for the CESD certification varies depending on where you live and whether you are a member of ISA or not. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 USD for non-members and $750 USD for members of ISA.

8. Certified Physical Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Physical Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in physical design engineering. The CPDE certification is intended to help employers identify qualified professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully design, implement, and maintain complex integrated circuit designs.

The CPDE certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as logic synthesis, timing analysis, power estimation, physical implementation, verification and testing. The exam is administered by IEEE-approved test centers around the world.

To become certified as a CPDE, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least three years of experience in physical design engineering or related fields. Additionally, applicants must submit an application form along with a fee of $350 USD. Once accepted into the program, applicants can expect to complete their certification within six months.

The cost of becoming certified as a CPDE varies depending on the test center you choose and any additional fees associated with taking the exam. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500 and $1,000 USD for all expenses related to becoming certified as a CPDE.

9. Certified RTL Synthesis Engineer (CRSE)

Certified RTL Synthesis Engineer (CRSE) is a certification program designed to recognize the technical knowledge and expertise of engineers who specialize in Register-Transfer Level (RTL) synthesis. This certification is offered by the International Association of Electronic Design Automation Professionals (IAEDAP).

To become a Certified RTL Synthesis Engineer, one must first have at least three years of experience in RTL synthesis, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Candidates must also pass an exam which covers topics such as RTL design, synthesis techniques, timing analysis, and verification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to take the CRSE exam, candidates must first register with IAEDAP and pay an application fee. The cost for registration is $400 USD. After registering, candidates will be given access to study materials and practice exams which can help them prepare for the actual test.

Once they have passed the exam, candidates will receive their official CRSE certification from IAEDAP. This certification can be used to demonstrate expertise in RTL synthesis and may help open up new job opportunities within the field of electronic design automation.

10. Certified Timing and Power Analysis Engineer (CTPAE).

Certified Timing and Power Analysis Engineer (CTPAE) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in the area of timing and power analysis for integrated circuits. It is offered by the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), a global consortium of electronics manufacturers, suppliers, and technology providers.

The CTPAE certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of timing and power analysis techniques through a written exam. The exam covers topics such as signal integrity, power integrity, clock tree synthesis, timing optimization, power optimization, system-level design verification, and more.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the certification process. To get certified, applicants must first submit an application form along with supporting documents such as resumes or transcripts. Once approved, they can register for the exam online at iNEMI's website.

The cost of the CTPAE certification is $1,500 USD per person plus applicable taxes. This fee includes access to all study materials and resources needed to prepare for the exam as well as the cost of taking the exam itself.

Do You Really Need a ASIC Design Engineer Certificate?

When it comes to the question of whether or not someone needs an ASIC Design Engineer Certificate, the answer is ultimately up to the individual. The truth is that having a certificate in this field can provide a number of benefits, such as better job prospects and a higher salary. However, it is important to consider whether or not these benefits are worth the time and money that must be invested into obtaining such certification.

For many people, having an ASIC Design Engineer Certificate can be an invaluable asset when looking for job opportunities. Companies often look for candidates with specialized skills and knowledge in this field, and having a certificate can demonstrate that an applicant has those skills. In addition, employers may be more likely to offer higher salaries to applicants who have special certifications in their relevant fields as they tend to indicate expertise.

However, it is also important to consider the fact that obtaining such certification does require both time and money. Not only must one take classes and pass exams in order to receive the certificate itself, but there are also associated costs such as tuition fees and exam fees. Additionally, those who wish to obtain certification may need to take time off from work in order to attend classes or study for exams.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs an ASIC Design Engineer Certificate depends on their individual situation. For some people, obtaining certification may be essential if they want to find work in this field or increase their salary. On the other hand, others may find that they do not need certification due to their experience level or existing job opportunities available without it.

Related: ASIC Design Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About ASIC Design Engineer Certifications

1. What is an ASIC Design Engineer Certification?

Answer: An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Design Engineer Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and developing integrated circuits for specific applications.

2. What are the benefits of getting an ASIC Design Engineer Certification?

Answer: Having an ASIC Design Engineer Certification allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in this specialized field, as well as validate your experience to employers. It can also help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions.

3. What is the process for obtaining an ASIC Design Engineer Certification?

Answer: The process for obtaining an ASIC Design Engineer Certification typically involves completing a course offered by a reputable institution, such as a college or university, as well as passing a comprehensive exam designed to test your knowledge and skills in this area.

4. How long does it take to get an ASIC Design Engineer Certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to obtain an ASIC Design Engineer Certification depends on the type of program chosen and the individual's learning pace, but typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all requirements.

5. Are there any prerequisites for taking an ASIC Design Engineering course?

Answer: Yes, most courses will have some prerequisites such as having a degree in engineering or computer science, and having prior experience with VHDL programming language and digital design concepts.