Top 10 Digital Design Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important asset for digital design engineers in the job market. They demonstrate to employers that professionals have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to perform their job duties effectively. Certifications can also help digital design engineers stand out from the competition by proving their commitment to the field and showcasing their abilities. Additionally, certifications can open up new career opportunities, such as higher-level positions or specialized roles within a company. Ultimately, certifications can be a great way for digital design engineers to set themselves apart in the job market and show potential employers that they possess the qualifications needed to excel in their chosen profession.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Digital Design Engineers, and explains how they can help to advance a digital design engineer's career.

What are Digital Design Engineer Certifications?

Digital design engineer certification is a type of professional credential that recognizes an individual's expertise in the design and development of digital products and systems. This certification can be beneficial to individuals who are looking to advance their career in the digital design engineering field. With this certification, individuals will demonstrate their knowledge and technical skills, as well as show potential employers that they have the necessary qualifications to work with the latest technologies.

The digital design engineer certification program covers a wide range of topics such as computer architecture, programming languages, software engineering principles, system-level design, embedded systems design, data structures and algorithms, logic synthesis, verification methods, and communication protocols. By obtaining this certification, individuals can expand their knowledge base and become more competitive in the job market. Additionally, having this certification may provide access to higher-paying positions or better job opportunities within the industry.

In addition to providing recognition for those working in digital design engineering fields, this certification also provides a way for employers to verify an individual’s qualifications prior to hiring them for a position. This allows employers to quickly determine if someone has the necessary skillset that they need for a particular job opening.

Overall, obtaining a digital design engineer certification is an excellent way for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of digital product development to demonstrate their expertise and gain a competitive edge over other applicants when seeking employment.

Pro Tip: When considering digital design engineer certification, make sure to research the specific certifications available and which will best fit your career goals. Look into the requirements for each certification and be sure to understand what you need to do in order to successfully obtain the certification. Additionally, find out about any continuing education or recertification requirements for each of the certifications you are considering.

Related: What does a Digital Design Engineer do?

Top 10 Digital Design Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Digital Design Engineer (CDDE)

Certified Digital Design Engineer (CDDE) is a professional certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of experienced digital design engineers. It is offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and administered through their Professional Certification Program.

The CDDE program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. The online exam covers topics such as digital circuitry, microprocessors, computer architecture, logic design, embedded systems, and software engineering principles. The practical project requires the candidate to develop a digital system from scratch or modify an existing system.

To become certified as a CDDE, candidates must pass both the online exam and the practical project with a minimum score of 70%. The entire process can take up to six months depending on how quickly the candidate can complete both components.

The cost for the CDDE certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1000 USD for both components.

2. Certified Systems Design Engineer (CSDE)

Certified Systems Design Engineer (CSDE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize those who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the design and implementation of computer systems. The CSDE certification is offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

The CSDE program is divided into two levels: Associate and Professional. To become an Associate level CSDE, you must pass a single exam that covers the fundamentals of system design engineering. This exam takes approximately four hours to complete, and costs $250 USD to register.

To become a Professional level CSDE, you must pass two exams: one covering system design engineering fundamentals, and another covering advanced topics such as project management, system architecture, software engineering, etc. These exams take approximately eight hours each to complete, and cost $500 USD each to register.

In addition to passing the exams, applicants for either level of CSDE certification must also have at least three years of relevant work experience in designing or implementing computer systems.

3. Certified Digital Electronics Designer (CEDE)

Certified Digital Electronics Designer (CEDE) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It is designed to provide an industry-recognized credential for digital electronics designers. The certification validates a designer’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of digital electronic systems.

To obtain CEDE certification, applicants must pass two exams: the Fundamentals of Digital Electronics exam and the Advanced Digital Electronics exam. These exams are administered by Prometric Testing Centers located around the world. The cost for each exam is $250 USD.

The Fundamentals exam covers topics such as basic logic gates and circuits, Boolean algebra, combinational logic design, sequential logic design, memory elements, counters and registers, flip-flops and latches, state machines, synchronous systems and asynchronous systems. The Advanced exam covers topics such as advanced logic design techniques (PLDs & FPGAs), high speed digital design techniques (clock distribution & skew), signal integrity & crosstalk analysis/mitigation techniques (transmission lines & terminations), power integrity & noise analysis/mitigation techniques (grounding & decoupling), EMI/EMC analysis/mitigation techniques (shielding & filtering) as well as system level integration issues.

Once both exams have been passed successfully with a score of 70% or higher on each one, applicants will be awarded the Certified Digital Electronics Designer credential from IEEE. This credential is valid for three years from the date it was awarded. To maintain certification status after that time period has expired applicants must submit proof of continuing education credits or retake the exams again to renew their CEDE credentials.

4. Certified Embedded Systems Designer (CESD)

Certified Embedded Systems Designer (CESD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of embedded systems design professionals. The certification is offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA).

The CESD certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical lab exercise. The written exam covers topics such as embedded systems architecture, software development, debugging, and system integration. The practical lab exercise tests the applicant’s ability to design, develop, debug, and integrate an embedded system.

It typically takes around six months to complete the entire process from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete all coursework requirements and pass both the written exam and practical lab exercise.

To get certified as a CESD, applicants must first register with ISA and pay the associated fees. The registration fee is $200 USD for members of ISA or $300 USD for non-members. Once registered, applicants can purchase study materials from ISA or other sources to prepare for the exams. After completing all coursework requirements and passing both exams, applicants will be officially certified as a Certified Embedded Systems Designer (CESD).

5. Certified Digital Signal Processing Engineer (CDSPE)

Certified Digital Signal Processing Engineer (CDSPE) is a professional certification issued by the International Association of Digital Signal Processing Engineers (IADSPE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery in the field of digital signal processing. The CDSPE certification enables engineers to demonstrate their proficiency in the design, implementation, and analysis of digital signal processing systems.

The CDSPE certification requires applicants to pass an examination that covers topics such as linear systems, sampling theory, discrete-time signals and systems, digital filters, and digital signal processors. The exam also includes questions on application areas such as communications, control systems, speech processing, and image processing.

The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. Applicants must have at least three years of experience in digital signal processing or related fields in order to be eligible for the exam.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location; however it typically costs between $200-$400 USD. To apply for the exam you must submit an application form along with a fee payment to IADSPE. Once approved you will receive an authorization letter that will allow you to take the exam at a designated testing center.

6. Certified FPGA Designer (CFD)

Certified FPGA Designer (CFD) is a certification program offered by the FPGA Professional Association (FPA). It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in designing and implementing Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The CFD certification program is based on a comprehensive body of knowledge related to FPGA design, development, and implementation.

The CFD certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as: FPGA architecture, logic synthesis, timing analysis, verification techniques, programming languages, system design, and more. To get certified as a CFD, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the CFD certification program varies depending on where you take the exam. In the United States, it costs $495 USD to take the exam at an accredited testing center. You can also take the exam online for $395 USD.

Overall, obtaining the Certified FPGA Designer certification requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding for those who are looking to advance their career in FPGA design and development.

7. Certified ASIC Design Engineer (CADE)

Certified ASIC Design Engineer (CADE) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It is designed to recognize the expertise of experienced engineers in the design, development, and implementation of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The certification is intended to demonstrate that an engineer has acquired a level of knowledge and experience in ASIC design that meets or exceeds industry standards.

The CADE program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical lab exercise. The written exam covers topics such as digital logic, microprocessors, embedded systems, computer architecture, and ASIC design. The lab exercise requires candidates to build an actual ASIC from scratch.

Candidates must have at least three years of experience in ASIC design before they can take the CADE exam. Candidates must also have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or computer science. It typically takes about six months for candidates to prepare for the exam and complete the lab exercise.

The cost for taking the CADE exam varies depending on where it is taken. In general, it costs around $1,500 USD for both parts of the exam.

8. Certified VLSI Design Engineer (CVDE)

Certified VLSI Design Engineer (CVDE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of those who have mastered the principles and techniques of designing and developing integrated circuits. It is a credential that verifies an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI). The certification is offered by the VLSI Professional Certification Council, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the design and development of integrated circuits.

The CVDE certification requires applicants to pass two exams: one on VLSI design fundamentals and another on advanced topics such as system-on-chip (SoC) design, digital signal processing, embedded systems, or analog/mixed-signal design. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in VLSI design or related fields.

The exam fee for both exams is $850 USD, with additional fees for late registration or rescheduling. The exams are administered online through Pearson VUE testing centers around the world. It usually takes about three months from start to finish to complete the entire process and obtain the certification.

9. Certified Network Design Engineer (CNDE)

Certified Network Design Engineer (CNDE) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals gain the skills necessary to design and implement secure, reliable, and efficient networks. The CNDE credential is offered by the International Council of Certified Network Designers (ICCND).

The CNDE certification requires applicants to pass two exams: one on network design fundamentals and the other on advanced network design. The exams are administered online or in-person at a testing center. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in designing and implementing networks.

It typically takes around six months to complete the certification process. During this time, applicants must study for both exams, complete any required training courses, and submit their application materials.

The cost of the CNDE certification varies depending on whether you take the exams online or in-person. Online exams cost $250 each, while in-person exams cost $400 each. In addition, there may be additional fees for training courses or other materials needed for the exam.

10. Certified Automation & Control System Designer (CACSD)

Certified Automation & Control System Designer (CACSD) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the design and implementation of automation and control systems. The CACSD certification program is administered by the International Society of Automation (ISA).

To become certified, an individual must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of automation and control system design. The exam covers topics such as system architecture, process control, data acquisition, programming languages, networking, safety and security. Candidates must also demonstrate experience in the field by providing references from employers or clients.

The CACSD certification requires a minimum of three years of work experience in automation and control system design. The written exam takes approximately four hours to complete. It costs $450 USD to register for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Digital Design Engineer Certificate?

A digital design engineer certificate can be a great way to demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge to do your job effectively. However, it is important to note that the certificate itself does not guarantee you a job or even an interview with a potential employer. In fact, there are many factors that employers consider when hiring someone for a digital design engineering position.

When deciding if you need a digital design engineer certificate, it is important to consider your current experience and qualifications. If you have already worked in the field and have gained some experience, then having a certificate may not be necessary. On the other hand, if you are just starting out or don’t have much experience yet, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial as it will help demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field of digital engineering.

Additionally, having a digital design engineer certificate could also help open up opportunities for further training or education in the field. Employers often look favorably upon those who show dedication to their craft by taking courses and attending seminars related to their area of expertise. Having this type of certification may give you an edge over other candidates who don’t possess one.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a digital design engineer certificate depends on your individual situation. If you already have experience in the field and feel comfortable with your current knowledge and skillset then obtaining one may not be necessary for your career goals. However, if you are just starting out or want to increase your chances of getting hired for certain positions then having a certification could be beneficial in helping set yourself apart from other applicants.

Related: Digital Design Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Digital Design Engineer Certifications

Q1. What is a Digital Design Engineer Certification?

A1. A Digital Design Engineer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in digital design engineering principles, processes, and technologies. It is usually awarded by professional organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Digital Design Engineer Certification?

A2. Obtaining a Digital Design Engineer Certification can help professionals demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field. It can also open up new career opportunities and provide access to higher-level positions in the industry. Additionally, it can be used as an important credential for employers when recruiting new hires or promoting existing employees.

Q3. What qualifications do I need to obtain a Digital Design Engineer Certification?

A3. Generally speaking, individuals must have at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science and have several years of experience in the digital design field before being eligible for certification. Those who have earned certifications from other organizations may also qualify for additional certifications from IEEE or other relevant organizations.

Q4. How much does it cost to obtain a Digital Design Engineer Certification?

A4. The cost of obtaining a Digital Design Engineer Certification varies depending on which organization is offering the certification and which type of certification you are seeking (e.g., basic or advanced). On average, certification fees range from $200-$500 USD, although some certifications may be more expensive than others due to associated training courses or exams required for completion.

Q5. How often do I need to renew my Digital Design Engineer Certification?

A5. Generally speaking, most digital design engineer certifications must be renewed every three years in order to remain valid and maintain professional standing within the industry. Renewal typically requires completing continuing education credits or taking refresher exams to stay up-to-date with current trends and technologies related to digital design engineering principles and practices