Top 11 Principal Engineer Certifications

Certifications for a principal engineer are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, certifications demonstrate an individual’s expertise in their field and can be used to differentiate them from other job candidates. They also show employers that the individual is committed to developing professionally and keeping up with the latest technologies, standards, and best practices. Additionally, certifications can provide access to a network of industry professionals and resources which can be invaluable in career development. Finally, certifications may be required by some employers or organizations in order to qualify for certain positions or projects.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Principal Engineers and explain how they can enhance a Principal Engineer's career.

What are Principal Engineer Certifications?

Principal engineer certification is a professional designation that recognizes engineers who have achieved advanced levels of expertise in their field. This certification demonstrates an individual's commitment to the profession and their knowledge of engineering principles and practices. It is awarded by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

Principal engineer certification can be beneficial for those seeking leadership roles in engineering or engineering-related fields. It can also help employers identify qualified individuals with the skills and experience needed to manage complex projects or lead teams of other engineers. By having this certification, engineers are able to demonstrate their expertise, experience, and commitment to the profession. In addition, it can also provide them with access to specialized resources, such as continuing education opportunities or networking events that may not otherwise be available.

Pro Tip: When pursuing principal engineer certification, make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technologies. Keeping abreast of changes in the engineering field will help you pass your certification exam and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Related: What does a Principal Engineer do?

Top 11 Principal Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Engineer (PE)

Certified Professional Engineer (PE) is a professional license that allows engineers to practice engineering in the United States. It is granted by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). To become a PE, an engineer must have a degree from an accredited college or university, four years of relevant experience, and pass two exams administered by the NCEES.

The process usually takes between three to five years to complete. The first step is to obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university. After graduating with a degree, the engineer must gain four years of relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Once this requirement has been met, the engineer can apply for licensure through NCEES and take their two exams: Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE).

The cost of becoming a PE varies depending on which state you are applying in. Generally speaking, it will cost around $500-$1,000 for application fees and exam fees combined. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with studying materials such as books or online courses.

2. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

The Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a software developer’s knowledge and experience in developing, testing, and deploying software applications. It is designed to demonstrate a professional’s proficiency in all aspects of the software development process, from requirements gathering to deployment.

The CSDP certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers a wide range of topics related to software development, including programming languages, object-oriented design principles, database design and management, web technologies, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions as well as written responses.

It typically takes about two months for an individual to prepare for the CSDP exam. Preparation involves studying the material covered by the exam as well as taking practice tests or attending review courses offered by various organizations.

To become certified, an individual must register with the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). Registration costs $150 USD and includes access to study materials and practice exams. After registering with IASA, individuals can take the CSDP exam at any authorized testing center around the world. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges between $200-$400 USD.

3. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)

Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). The CSEP is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of systems engineering principles and practices. It is intended to provide employers with assurance that an individual has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively practice systems engineering.

To become certified as a CSEP, applicants must demonstrate their proficiency in systems engineering through a combination of education and experience. Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in systems engineering or related fields, including two years of leadership or management experience. In addition, they must complete at least 30 hours of approved training courses in systems engineering topics.

Applicants must also pass an examination administered by INCOSE. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as system architecture, requirements analysis, design process management, verification and validation, risk management, and project management. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $400 USD.

Once certified, CSEPs are required to maintain their certification through continuing education activities every three years. This includes completing at least 15 hours of approved training activities or attending INCOSE conferences or workshops. The cost for recertification is $200 USD every three years.

4. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification recognizes an individual’s knowledge and experience in project management, as well as their ability to apply the principles of project management to real-world situations. The PMP certification is highly sought after by employers, and it demonstrates a commitment to the profession.

The PMP certification process takes approximately six months from start to finish. To qualify for the PMP exam, you must have at least 4500 hours of project management experience over the past 8 years, or 7500 hours if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, you must complete 35 contact hours of formal education in project management topics.

Once you have met all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the PMP exam through the PMI website. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and costs $555 USD for members and $405 USD for non-members. Once you have passed the exam, you will be certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP).

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and expertise in information security. It is designed to prove that an individual has the necessary skills to design, implement, and manage a comprehensive security program for any organization.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions and takes up to 6 hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Alternatively, individuals with 4 years of experience can obtain an Associate of (ISC)² designation by passing the exam.

To get certified as a CISSP, you must pass the exam administered by (ISC)². The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $699-$1,199 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to pay an annual maintenance fee of $125 USD to maintain your certification status.

6. Certified Network Engineer (CNE)

A Certified Network Engineer (CNE) is a professional certification that demonstrates a person's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing computer networks. It is an industry-recognized credential for network engineers who have the knowledge and skills to manage and troubleshoot complex network environments.

To become a CNE, you must pass two exams: the CNE Core Exam and the CNE Elective Exam. The Core Exam covers topics such as network architecture, protocols, routing, switching, security, and troubleshooting. The Elective Exam covers topics such as wireless networking, virtualization, cloud computing, VoIP systems, and more. To prepare for these exams it is recommended to take an approved training course or self-study using approved materials.

The cost of the CNE certification depends on which training program you choose to take. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000 - $5,000 depending on the program chosen. It typically takes around 3-6 months to complete the certification process if you are taking a formal training program or studying independently with approved materials.

7. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification issued by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize professionals in the field of quality assurance who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in quality engineering, management, and related disciplines.

The CQE certification requires applicants to pass an examination that covers topics such as quality control, design of experiments, process improvement, reliability engineering, and statistical analysis. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CQE exam, applicants must have at least eight years of work experience in a quality-related field or a minimum of three years of work experience with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science from an accredited institution. Applicants must also be members of ASQ or pay an additional fee for non-members.

The cost for the CQE exam varies depending on whether the applicant is an ASQ member or not. For ASQ members, the cost is $399 USD; for non-members, it is $599 USD. The cost includes all application fees and study materials required to prepare for the exam.

8. Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)

Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). It is designed to recognize those who demonstrate expertise in the field of manufacturing engineering. The certification is intended to demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a professional in the manufacturing industry.

In order to become certified, an individual must pass an exam administered by ASME. The exam covers topics such as design and analysis of manufacturing processes, production planning and control, quality assurance and control, materials selection and processing, safety and environmental issues related to manufacturing, and more.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to prepare for the CMfgE exam depending on an individual's background knowledge in the subject matter. Preparation can include self-study or attending a training course offered by ASME or other organizations.

The cost for taking the CMfgE exam varies depending on where it is taken. In general, it costs around $400-$600 for members of ASME or other organizations that offer discounted rates for their members. For non-members, it can cost up to $1,000 or more.

9. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional who has been certified by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) as having the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that products and services meet their reliability goals. The CRE certification is designed to recognize individuals with a comprehensive understanding of reliability engineering principles, practices, and tools.

To become a CRE, an individual must pass the ASQ's Certification Exam in Reliability Engineering. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as reliability design and analysis, system safety, probability and statistics, maintainability and availability, life cycle costing, quality assurance methods, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), root cause analysis (RCA), reliability centered maintenance (RCM), human factors engineering, system engineering principles, risk assessment techniques, and other related topics.

The exam typically takes about three hours to complete. To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have at least five years of experience in reliability engineering or related fields. Candidates may also qualify through academic qualifications or through professional development activities such as attending seminars or workshops related to reliability engineering.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your country of residence but generally ranges from $250 - $350 USD.

10. Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is a professional certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). It is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in the safety industry. The CSP credential indicates that an individual has achieved a high level of competency in the practice of safety management and demonstrates knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field.

It typically takes three to five years to obtain the CSP certification. To become certified, candidates must meet certain educational, experience, and examination requirements. Candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in safety or related field from an accredited college or university; at least four years of full-time safety work experience; and must pass a comprehensive written examination.

The cost for obtaining the CSP certification varies depending on which BCSP membership option you choose. The basic membership fee is $250 and includes access to online study materials, exam registration fees, and other resources. Additional fees may apply if you choose to take additional courses or use other services provided by BCSP.

11. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals become experts in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is an advanced level of training that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead improvement projects and initiatives within their organization.

The certification typically requires a minimum of four weeks of intensive study and practice, including classroom instruction, online learning, and hands-on project work. The curriculum includes topics such as process mapping, problem solving techniques, data analysis tools, and project management principles. Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to be able to identify areas for improvement within their organization and develop strategies for achieving those improvements.

In order to receive the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, individuals must complete all required coursework and pass an exam administered by a certified instructor or organization. The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but can range from $1,500 - $5,000 USD.

In addition to completing the coursework and passing the exam, candidates must also have at least three years of experience in a related field or role prior to applying for certification. This experience must include leading at least two successful Lean Six Sigma projects or initiatives.

Do You Really Need a Principal Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. If a person is looking to become a principal engineer, then it would be beneficial to have a Principal Engineer Certificate. This certificate would demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to work as a principal engineer.

Having the certificate may also benefit the individual in terms of job prospects and promotions. Having a formal recognition of one's engineering credentials can help employers recognize an individual's qualifications when considering them for a position or promotion. It can also give an individual an edge over others who may not have such qualifications.

However, if someone does not plan on becoming a principal engineer or working in an engineering field at all, then obtaining a Principal Engineer Certificate might not be necessary or beneficial for them. In this case, it would be better for them to focus on gaining other types of qualifications that are more relevant to their chosen career path.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a Principal Engineer Certificate will depend on their personal goals and ambitions and should be considered carefully before making any decisions.

Related: Principal Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Principal Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Principal Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Principal Engineer certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in their field and commitment to engineering excellence. It is typically awarded by professional engineering societies or organizations, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

2. How do I become certified as a Principal Engineer?

Answer: To become certified as a Principal Engineer, you must meet certain criteria set forth by the certifying organization or society. This usually includes having at least seven years of experience as an engineer, passing a comprehensive exam, and meeting other educational requirements.

3. Is there an age limit for becoming a Principal Engineer?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for becoming certified as a Principal Engineer; however, most certifying organizations require that applicants have at least seven years of experience in their field prior to applying.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Principal Engineer?

Answer: The exact timeline will vary depending on the certifying organization and your individual qualifications; however, it typically takes several months to complete all of the necessary steps for certification.

5. What are the benefits of being a certified Principal Engineer?

Answer: Being a certified Principal Engineer can provide various benefits such as increased credibility among colleagues and employers; access to exclusive training programs; career advancement opportunities; and higher earning potential due to increased job security and recognition within the industry.