Top 11 Product Design Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for product design engineers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency, knowledge and experience. They provide employers with confidence that the candidate is qualified to do the job, as well as having a certain level of expertise that can be relied upon. Certifications also show potential employers that the engineer is dedicated to their profession and has taken the time to further develop their skills. Additionally, certifications may open up opportunities for higher-level positions or more specialized roles within a company.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Product Design Engineers and explains how they can help enhance a career in product design engineering.

What are Product Design Engineer Certifications?

Product design engineer certification is a way for engineers to demonstrate their expertise in the field of product design. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates a professional's technical knowledge, skills, and experience in the area of product design. This certification can help engineers stand out from the competition and demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field. It also provides employers with assurance that applicants have a strong understanding of product design principles and best practices. With this certification, engineers can show potential employers that they are capable of designing products that meet customer needs and market demands. Additionally, it can also provide them with opportunities for career advancement and increased job security.

Pro Tip: Research and understand the requirements for product design engineering certification. Many certifications require a combination of experience, education, and training. Make sure you have the necessary qualifications before applying for certification. Additionally, look into any continuing education requirements that may be required to maintain your certification.

Related: What does a Product Design Engineer do?

Top 11 Product Design Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional in Product Design (CPPD)

Certified Professional in Product Design (CPPD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in product design. The CPPD certification program is administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

The CPPD certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and an in-person interview. The online exam tests knowledge of product design principles and practices, including topics such as usability, ergonomics, industrial design, prototyping, engineering economics, and more. The in-person interview assesses the candidate's ability to apply their knowledge to real-world product design scenarios.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete the CPPD certification process. Candidates must first register with ASQ and pay the required fees before they can take the online exam. After passing the online exam, candidates must then schedule an in-person interview with an ASQ representative.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are a member or nonmember of ASQ. For members, the cost is $450; for nonmembers it is $550.

2. Certified Product Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Product Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise and knowledge of product design engineers. It is administered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The CPDE certification program is designed to assess the competency of product design engineers in areas such as product design, development, production, and testing.

It typically takes about two years to complete the CPDE certification process. To get certified, you must first meet certain prerequisites, such as having a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field and at least three years of experience in product design engineering. You must also pass an exam administered by ASME. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as materials selection, manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety.

The cost for taking the CPDE exam varies depending on your location and other factors. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$700 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining study materials or registering for the exam itself.

3. Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP)

Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) is a certification program offered by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation. It is designed to validate the skills of experienced SolidWorks users in the areas of design, analysis, and drawing creation. CSWP certification demonstrates proficiency in the use of SolidWorks software for 3D modeling and drawing production.

The CSWP exam consists of three parts: Core, Advanced Surfacing, and Drawing Tools. The Core section tests your knowledge on basic solid modeling tools such as sketching, feature creation, assembly design, and surface modeling. The Advanced Surfacing section tests your ability to create complex surfaces using advanced surfacing tools such as boundary surface features, sweep features, and loft features. Finally, the Drawing Tools section tests your knowledge on creating drawings from 3D models and working with sheet metal components.

To become certified it typically takes between 8-12 hours of study time depending on your current level of experience with SolidWorks software. To get certified you must take an online exam administered through Dassault Systèmes' Certification Center (DSCC). The cost for taking the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $150-$200 USD per part.

4. Autodesk Certified Professional in Product Design and Manufacturing (ACPMP)

Autodesk Certified Professional in Product Design and Manufacturing (ACPMP) is a certification program offered by Autodesk to demonstrate proficiency in the use of Autodesk software for product design and manufacturing. It is designed to help professionals prove their expertise in the use of Autodesk tools for product design, development, and manufacturing.

The ACPMP certification consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on project. The online exam covers topics such as product design, engineering analysis, simulation, 3D printing, data management, and more. The hands-on project requires applicants to complete a real-world project using Autodesk software that demonstrates their mastery of the skills required for product design and manufacturing.

It typically takes about six months to complete the ACPMP certification process. Applicants must first review the exam syllabus and prepare for the online exam by taking practice tests or attending training courses. Once they have passed the online exam, they must then complete the hands-on project within six months to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining ACPMP certification depends on which Autodesk products are used in preparation for the exam and project. The cost can range from $150 to over $1000 depending on which products are used.

5. Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional (AICP)

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional (AICP) is a certification program that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in Autodesk Inventor software. This certification is designed to validate the user’s knowledge and skills in using Autodesk Inventor for 3D mechanical design, visualization, and simulation.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the AICP exam. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours. It is recommended that users have at least 1 year of experience with Autodesk Inventor before attempting the AICP exam.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Autodesk website. After registration, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online test center where you can take your exam. You will need to pay a fee of $200 USD in order to take the exam.

Once you pass the AICP exam, you will receive an official certificate from Autodesk as well as a digital badge that can be displayed on your website or social media profiles. You will also gain access to exclusive resources such as discounts on Autodesk products and services, invitations to events, and more.

6. International Society of Automation Certified Automation Professional (CAP)

The International Society of Automation Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is an internationally recognized certification program that provides a comprehensive body of knowledge and skills for the automation professional. It is designed to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the areas of industrial automation, process control, instrumentation and systems integration. The CAP program is based on the ISA/IEC 62443 standard for Industrial Automation and Control System Security.

The CAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as system architecture, network design, security principles, risk assessment and mitigation strategies, system maintenance and troubleshooting. The exam is administered by Prometric Testing Centers worldwide.

The CAP certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in industrial automation or related fields. Candidates must also complete a series of courses offered by ISA before taking the exam. The courses cover topics such as system architecture, network design, security principles, risk assessment and mitigation strategies, system maintenance and troubleshooting.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CAP exam depending on how much time you are willing to devote to studying for it. You should plan on spending at least 30 hours per week studying for the exam over the course of those six months.

To get your CAP certification you will need to register with ISA and pay an application fee which includes access to all study materials necessary for preparation for the exam. Once you have registered with ISA you will receive instructions on how to schedule your exam with Prometric Testing Centers worldwide.

The cost of getting your CAP certification varies depending on where you take the exam but typically ranges from $500 - $1000 USD including registration fees and study materials.

7. American Society of Mechanical Engineers Certified Design Engineer (ASME CDE)

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Certified Design Engineer (ASME CDE) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and experience of engineers in the field of design engineering. This certification is designed to validate an engineer’s ability to design components, systems, and processes that meet industry standards.

To get the ASME CDE certification, you must first pass an exam administered by ASME. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as design theory, analysis techniques, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and safety considerations. It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also demonstrate at least three years of relevant design engineering experience. This experience can be gained through either academic or professional practice.

The cost for taking the ASME CDE exam varies depending on where you take it and how many times you retake it if needed. Generally speaking, it costs between $500 and $1,000 USD for each attempt at the exam.

8. National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies Product Design Technician Certification (NICET PDCert)

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Product Design Technician Certification (PDCert) is a nationally recognized certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skill of product design technicians. This certification is intended for individuals who have a minimum of two years of experience in product design and development, as well as a high school diploma or equivalent.

To obtain the NICET PDCert, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as CAD/CAM technology, engineering drawing principles, product design concepts and processes, materials selection, prototyping techniques, manufacturing processes and quality control. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the NICET PDCert exam, applicants must first complete an online application form which includes providing proof of experience in product design and development. Applicants must also submit their high school transcripts or equivalent credentials. Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive an authorization letter from NICET that will allow them to register for the exam.

The cost of taking the NICET PDCert exam is $450 USD per attempt. In addition to this fee, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining transcripts or other forms of proof of experience required by NICET.

Once you have successfully passed the examination, you will receive your official NICET PDCert certificate within 4-6 weeks after passing the exam. The certification is valid for five years from the date it was issued and can be renewed through continuing education credits or by retaking the examination.

9. International Council on Systems Engineering Systems Engineering Professional Certification (INCOSE SEPCert)

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Professional Certification (SEPCert) is a certification program that recognizes the professional knowledge and experience of systems engineers. The SEPCert is designed to provide an objective measure of an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of systems engineering and to serve as a benchmark for employers when evaluating potential employees.

The SEPCert consists of two levels: Associate Systems Engineer (ASysE) and Certified Systems Engineer (CSysE). To obtain the ASysE certification, applicants must have either a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, or three years of relevant experience in systems engineering. To obtain the CSysE certification, applicants must have either a master's degree in engineering or related field, or five years of relevant experience in systems engineering.

To get certified, applicants must take an online exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of systems engineering principles. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as system architecture, requirements analysis, design, implementation, verification and validation, risk management, project management, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

The cost for the SEPCert varies depending on which level you are applying for. For ASysE certification the cost is $400 USD; for CSysE certification it is $500 USD.

10. Project Management Institute Project Management Professional Certification (PMI PMPCert)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is an internationally recognized certification for project managers. This certification is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and experience in managing projects, as well as their commitment to the profession.

In order to become certified, candidates must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass an exam, and agree to adhere to PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. To be eligible for the PMP certification, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) plus at least 5 years of project management experience with 7500 hours leading projects, or a four-year degree plus at least 3 years of project management experience with 4500 hours leading projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover five process groups: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The exam takes four hours to complete and costs $405 for members of PMI or $555 for nonmembers.

In order to maintain the PMP certification status, certified professionals must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through formal training courses or other activities such as attending conferences or reading books related to project management topics. The cost varies depending on the type of activity used to earn PDUs; however, typically it ranges from $100-$1,000 per year.

11. Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering Certified Technology Manager (ATMAE CTMgrCert).

The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering Certified Technology Manager (ATMAE CTMgrCert) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in the management of technology. This certification is designed to help individuals advance their careers and become more competitive in the technology industry.

The ATMAE CTMgrCert requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as project management, risk management, financial management, and technology strategy. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge and experience in the field.

To qualify for the ATMAE CTMgrCert, applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in the field of technology management or applied engineering, including two years in a leadership role. They must also have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

The cost of taking the ATMAE CTMgrCert exam is $395 USD for members of ATMAE or $495 USD for non-members. After passing the exam and submitting a portfolio, applicants will be awarded their certification within 4-6 weeks.

Do You Really Need a Product Design Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what type of product design engineer you are looking to become. If you are looking to become a professional product design engineer, then it is likely that you will need some sort of certification or qualification. This could be a university degree in engineering, or a certificate from a recognised institution such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

However, if you are just starting out and want to work as an amateur product designer or engineer, then it is not necessary for you to have any kind of formal certification. There is no requirement for product designers and engineers to have any qualifications beyond basic understanding of engineering principles and materials. However, if you do wish to pursue a career in this field, then having some sort of certification may help you stand out from other applicants.

In conclusion, the decision whether or not you need a product design engineer certificate depends on your own goals and ambitions within the field. If you are looking for professional work as an engineer then having some kind of qualification or certificate may be beneficial, but if your aim is simply to create products as an amateur then this may not be necessary.

Related: Product Design Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Design Engineer Certifications

Q1. What is a Product Design Engineering Certification?

A1. A Product Design Engineering Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of product design engineering. It requires knowledge and skills related to the development of products from concept to completion, including materials selection, manufacturing processes, cost estimation, and quality control.

Q2. How do I become certified in Product Design Engineering?

A2. To become certified in Product Design Engineering, you must complete an accredited program or courses in product design engineering from a recognized institution. Depending on the level of certification desired, you may need to have additional experience and/or pass an exam to obtain the certification.

Q3. What are the benefits of obtaining a Product Design Engineering Certification?

A3. Obtaining a Product Design Engineering Certification provides recognition for your knowledge and skills as well as increases your professional value as an engineer specializing in product design engineering. In addition, it can provide you with more job opportunities and open up doors for career advancement.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified in Product Design Engineering?

A4. The length of time required to obtain a certification depends on the type and level of certification desired as well as prior experience and education level attained by the individual seeking certification. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months to several years depending on these factors.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified in Product Design Engineering?

A5. Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least some prior experience or education related to product design engineering before applying for certification exams or programs. Additionally, certain certifications may require specific coursework or other qualifications that must be met before taking the exam or completing the program requirements for certification eligibility