Top 11 Embedded Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for embedded engineers in the job market because they demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key concepts and technologies related to embedded systems. They also show potential employers that the engineer has a commitment to their profession and is willing to invest in their own professional development. Additionally, certifications can provide employers with assurance that the engineer is knowledgeable and competent in the specific areas required for successful completion of the job duties. Certifications demonstrate an engineer’s proficiency in designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining embedded systems. In short, certifications help embedded engineers stand out from the competition when applying for jobs in the field.

The article reviews top certifications for Embedded Engineers and explains how they can benefit an embedded engineer's career.

What are Embedded Engineer Certifications?

Embedded engineer certification is a type of professional certification that helps to demonstrate a person’s knowledge and skills in the field of embedded engineering. Embedded engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing embedded systems, which are devices or components that use software and hardware to control their operations. Examples of embedded systems include smart home appliances, medical equipment, industrial robots, automobiles, digital cameras, and more.

Certification in embedded engineering can help individuals gain recognition for their expertise in this field by providing evidence of their knowledge and skills. It also serves as a way to differentiate them from other job applicants who may not have the same level of expertise. Additionally, certification can open doors to higher-level positions within an organization or company as well as provide opportunities for career advancement. Finally, it can provide employers with assurance that the individual has the necessary qualifications for the position they are applying for.

Pro Tip: If you are considering taking an embedded engineer certification, make sure to research the requirements and level of difficulty for each certification. Additionally, look into what resources are available to help you prepare for the exam such as online courses or textbooks. Finally, take practice exams to assess your knowledge and understand the structure of the exam.

Related: What does an Embedded Engineer do?

Top 11 Embedded Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Software Development Engineer in Embedded Systems (CSDES)

Certified Software Development Engineer in Embedded Systems (CSDES) is a professional certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in developing embedded software for industrial automation systems. The certification provides employers with assurance that the individual has demonstrated knowledge and experience in the design, development, and deployment of embedded software applications.

The CSDES certification requires applicants to pass an exam administered by ISA. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as embedded system architecture, programming languages, debugging techniques, operating systems, and communication protocols. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain prerequisites which include having at least three years of work experience in developing embedded software applications and having completed at least one project using an embedded system architecture. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of C programming language and be familiar with microcontrollers and digital signal processors.

The cost for taking the CSDES exam is $295 USD for ISA members or $395 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials such as practice exams and reference documents.

2. Certified Embedded System Design Professional (CESDP)

Certified Embedded System Design Professional (CESDP) is a 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 CESDP certification is based on the ISA/IEC 61131-3 standard for programming industrial automation systems.

The CESDP certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as embedded system architecture, hardware/software integration, real-time operating systems, debugging techniques, and safety considerations. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CESDP certification, you must have at least three years of experience in embedded system design or development. You must also pass the ISA/IEC 61131-3 exam with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of the CESDP certification varies depending on your country and region. In the United States, it typically costs around $400 to take the exam and receive your certification.

Once you have successfully completed the exam and received your certificate, it is valid for five years from the date of issuance. After five years, you will need to renew your certification by taking a refresher course or retaking the exam.

3. Certified Embedded Systems Professional (CESP)

Certified Embedded Systems Professional (CESP) is a certification program offered by the Embedded System Professional Certification Board (ESPCB). The ESPCB is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and certifying professionals in the field of embedded systems. The CESP certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded systems.

The CESP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as embedded system architecture, software development, hardware design, system integration, network protocols, communications protocols, and debugging techniques. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience working with embedded systems.

To obtain the CESP certification, applicants must submit an application form along with payment of a fee. The fee varies depending on the country in which the applicant resides but typically ranges from $150-$250 USD. Once the application has been approved and payment has been received, applicants will be sent instructions for scheduling their exam date and location.

Once all requirements are met and the exam has been successfully passed, applicants will receive their official CESP certificate within four weeks of passing their exam. This certificate is valid for three years after which time it must be renewed if the individual wishes to continue holding their certification status.

4. Certified Internet of Things Engineer (CIoTE)

Certified Internet of Things Engineer (CIoTE) is a certification program designed to help engineers and technology professionals gain the knowledge and skills they need to design, develop, deploy, and manage IoT systems. This certification program is offered by the IoT Council, an independent organization dedicated to providing education and resources for the development of the Internet of Things.

The CIoTE certification program consists of three levels: Foundation Level, Advanced Level, and Expert Level. To obtain the Foundation Level certification, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as IoT architecture, protocols, data management, security, analytics, and more. The Advanced Level requires applicants to complete two additional exams covering topics such as cloud computing and machine learning. Finally, the Expert Level requires applicants to complete a final exam covering advanced topics such as distributed systems and edge computing.

The cost of obtaining the CIoTE certification depends on which level you are attempting to obtain. The Foundation Level costs $250 USD; the Advanced Level costs $350 USD; and the Expert Level costs $500 USD. It typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete all three levels of the CIoTE certification program.

5. ARM Certified Engineer (ACE)

ARM Certified Engineer (ACE) is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills of engineers working with ARM-based technology. It is offered by ARM, the world's leading semiconductor IP company. The ACE program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in designing and developing products using ARM technology.

The ACE program consists of two levels: Foundation and Professional. The Foundation level focuses on basic knowledge and understanding of ARM architecture, while the Professional level requires more advanced skills and experience with ARM-based systems.

To qualify for the ACE certification, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as processor architectures, system design, software development tools, embedded software development techniques, and debugging techniques. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $150 USD.

Applicants must also have at least one year of experience working with ARM-based systems or devices in order to be eligible for the certification. Once certified, engineers can demonstrate their expertise to employers and peers by displaying their ACE badge on their resume or website.

The cost of the ACE certification depends on which level you are applying for; the Foundation level costs $150 USD while the Professional level costs $250 USD. Both levels require a renewal fee every two years in order to maintain your certification status.

6. Certified Real-Time Embedded Programmer (CRTEP)

Certified Real-Time Embedded Programmer (CRTEP) is a certification program developed by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced embedded software engineers. The CRTEP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge in real-time embedded systems design, development, testing, and troubleshooting.

To become a Certified Real-Time Embedded Programmer, applicants must have at least five years of experience in developing real-time embedded systems. They must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as system architecture, programming languages, operating systems, debugging techniques, and project management. Once certified, professionals are qualified to work with complex embedded systems and develop solutions for challenging applications.

The CRTEP certification exam takes about two hours to complete and costs $150 USD. To apply for the exam, applicants must submit a completed application form along with their resume and proof of experience. After submitting their application materials, they will receive an email notification confirming their eligibility to take the exam.

Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their CRTEP certificate via email within two weeks of completing the exam. The certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be renewed every three years by passing another online exam or providing evidence of continuing professional development activities related to real-time embedded programming.

7. CompTIA A+ Certification for Embedded Engineers

CompTIA A+ Certification for Embedded Engineers is a professional certification program designed to verify the knowledge and skills of embedded engineers. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s ability to troubleshoot, configure, and maintain embedded systems.

The certification consists of two exams: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) and CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002). The exams cover topics such as system hardware, networking, security, and software troubleshooting.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam. To get certified, individuals must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher on each exam.

The cost of the certification varies depending on where you take the test. Generally speaking, it will cost around $300 in total for both exams.

8. National Instruments’ LabVIEW Developer Certification

National Instruments’ LabVIEW Developer Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the skills of LabVIEW developers. It is designed to validate the proficiency of experienced LabVIEW developers who can create and maintain complex applications using NI LabVIEW software.

The certification requires passing a two-hour, multiple-choice exam that covers topics such as data acquisition, instrument control, user interface design, debugging, and error handling. The exam includes questions on advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, parallel programming, and distributed systems.

To get certified, you must first complete an online training course offered by National Instruments or an authorized NI training partner. The course typically takes between 8 to 10 hours to complete and costs around $500 USD. After completing the course, you will be able to register for the certification exam which costs $150 USD.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certificate from National Instruments and be listed in their public directory of certified professionals. You will also have access to exclusive discounts and promotions from NI partners.

9. Wind River VxWorks Certification

Wind River VxWorks Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who design, develop, deploy, and maintain embedded systems using Wind River VxWorks. It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of embedded software development with Wind River VxWorks.

The certification process typically takes about two months to complete. The first step is to register for the exam online at the Wind River website. Once registered, you will be provided with an exam voucher and instructions on how to access the exam materials. After studying the materials, you will need to take the online proctored exam which consists of multiple-choice questions. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from Wind River.

The cost of the Wind River VxWorks Certification program varies depending on where you take the test and what type of certification you are seeking (e.g., Professional or Expert). Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 USD for a Professional level certification and up to $1,000 USD for an Expert level certification.

To become certified in Wind River VxWorks, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in key areas such as software development processes, debugging techniques, system architecture design principles, real-time operating system concepts, networking protocols, device drivers, security best practices and more.

10. Freescale Semiconductor’s i.MX Application Processor Expert Certification

Freescale Semiconductor’s i.MX Application Processor Expert Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of individuals in developing embedded applications using Freescale's i.MX application processor family. The certification verifies that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, debug, and deploy embedded applications on the i.MX platform.

The certification requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as system architecture, software development tools, real-time operating systems, and developing applications for the i.MX platform. The exam is offered online or at select locations around the world. It takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam by providing personal information such as your name and contact details. You will then be required to pay a fee of $100 USD in order to take the exam. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online exam portal where you can take the test at your own pace within a designated time frame (usually three hours). Once you have completed all sections of the exam, your results will be sent to Freescale for review and grading. If you pass with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certificate via email within 15 business days from when you took the test.

The cost of taking the i.MX Application Processor Expert Certification Exam is $100 USD per attempt. There are no additional fees associated with taking this exam or receiving your certificate once it has been issued by Freescale Semiconductor’s certification team.

11. Intel’s IoT Solutions Provider Program

Intel’s IoT Solutions Provider Program is a program designed to help companies develop and deploy solutions for the Internet of Things. It provides access to tools, resources, and support from Intel experts as well as access to Intel’s partner ecosystem. The program includes training and certification programs, technical support, marketing assistance, and more.

It takes approximately six months to complete the program depending on the individual company’s needs. To get started in the program, companies must submit an application form that includes details about their organization and the proposed solution they want to build. Once approved, companies can begin working with Intel’s team of experts to design and develop their solution.

The cost of the program varies depending on the size of the company and its specific needs. Companies should contact Intel directly for more information on pricing.

Do You Really Need a Embedded Engineer Certificate?

Whether or not you need an embedded engineer certificate depends on your career goals and the requirements of the job you want to pursue. If you are looking for a job in embedded engineering, then having a certification may be beneficial as it demonstrates that you have the necessary skills and knowledge required for the position. On the other hand, if you already have experience in embedded engineering, then having a certification may not be necessary.

In addition to demonstrating your expertise, an embedded engineer certificate can also offer other benefits such as increasing job opportunities and providing credibility when applying for positions. It can also help with networking and provide access to industry resources that can further develop your career. An embedded engineer certificate can also be beneficial if you are interested in teaching or consulting related to embedded engineering.

Overall, whether or not an embedded engineer certificate is necessary depends on your individual circumstances and career goals. It is important to consider all aspects before making a decision about whether or not to pursue a certification.

Related: Embedded Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Embedded Engineer Certifications

Q1: What is an embedded engineer certification?

A1: An embedded engineer certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a person's knowledge and skills in the field of embedded systems engineering. This certification typically requires passing an exam that covers topics such as microprocessors, operating systems, networking, hardware design, and programming languages.

Q2: What are the benefits of becoming certified as an embedded engineer?

A2: Becoming certified as an embedded engineer can help to demonstrate your level of expertise in the field and make you more marketable to potential employers. It can also help you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and advancements in the industry.

Q3: What type of experience is required to become certified?

A3: The requirements for becoming certified vary depending on which certification program you choose. Generally speaking, most programs require at least two years of experience working with embedded systems or related technologies. In addition, some programs may require specific courses or certifications related to the specific area of expertise.

Q4: How much does it cost to get certified?

A4: The cost for getting certified varies depending on which certification program you choose. Some organizations may offer discounts for members or offer other incentives for taking their exams. Additionally, many organizations offer study materials or practice exams that can be purchased separately from the exam fee itself.

Q5: Is there a time limit for completing my certification?

A5: Yes, most organizations have a set amount of time that must be completed before a candidate can receive their certificate. Depending on the organization this could range from several months to several years after enrollment in their program.