Top 10 Product Development Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for a product development engineer in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competence and expertise that employers look for. Certifications provide evidence that the engineer has specialized knowledge and skills, which can be an advantage in job interviews and when competing for jobs. They also give employers confidence that the engineer is qualified to handle complex tasks related to product design, development, and testing. Furthermore, certifications can help engineers stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices as well as increase their earning potential.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Product Development Engineers and explains how they can help to enhance a product development engineer's career.

What are Product Development Engineer Certifications?

Product development engineer certification is a professional certification that is designed to recognize the expertise of engineers in developing innovative products. It is awarded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and requires engineers to pass an exam that covers topics such as product design, project management, and quality assurance.

The certification can help professionals in a variety of ways. It demonstrates their commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends, which can be a valuable asset when applying for jobs or pursuing promotions. It also helps them to identify areas where they can improve their skills and knowledge, as well as providing recognition from peers and employers. Furthermore, it provides a way for employers to assess potential employees’ ability to develop products effectively and efficiently. With this certification, employers can be confident that the person they hire has the requisite skillset necessary for creating successful products.

Pro Tip: To become a certified product development engineer, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry. Take advantage of online courses, seminars, and workshops to ensure you have a broad understanding of the field. Additionally, consider joining professional organizations and networking with peers to help build your knowledge base.

Related: What does a Product Development Engineer do?

Top 10 Product Development Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Product Development Engineer (CPPDE)

Certified Professional Product Development Engineer (CPPDE) is a certification program that recognizes professionals who have the knowledge and skills to design, develop, and deploy products. It is offered by the Association of Professional Product Development Engineers (APPEDE).

The CPPDE certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as product development process and methods, product lifecycle management, project management, engineering tools, and software development. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least five years of professional experience in product development or related fields. Applicants must also submit an application form with supporting documentation such as proof of education and work experience.

The cost for the CPPDE certification varies depending on the country where the applicant resides. In the United States, the fee is $395 USD. Additional fees may be required for international applicants.

2. Certified Product Development Manager (CPDM)

Certified Product Development Manager (CPDM) is a professional certification program offered by the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). The CPDM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in product development, management, and innovation.

The CPDM certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers all aspects of product development, from concept generation to launch. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in product development or related fields.

The CPDM certification process typically takes about six months from start to finish. After completing the application process, applicants are required to attend a two-day training seminar that covers the fundamentals of product development and management. Following the seminar, applicants must submit an application package that includes proof of their experience and education as well as a written essay on their understanding of the principles of product development.

Once approved by PDMA, applicants can then register for the CPDM exam which costs $500 USD. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CPDM certificate along with access to PDMA’s online resources and networking opportunities.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Product Development Manager (CPDM) certification requires significant effort but can be highly beneficial for those looking to advance their careers in product development or management.

3. Certified Design for Six Sigma Black Belt (DFSS BB)

Certified Design for Six Sigma Black Belt (DFSS BB) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the design and implementation of Six Sigma projects. The certification is offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

The DFSS BB certification requires a minimum of three years of experience in Six Sigma project design, as well as successful completion of an exam. To prepare for the exam, applicants should have a thorough understanding of Six Sigma methodologies, tools, and techniques. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts to real-world situations through case studies and simulations.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. It covers topics such as process improvement strategies, customer requirements analysis, quality management systems, and more.

To obtain the DFSS BB certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified, individuals must maintain their credentials by earning continuing education credits every three years.

The cost of obtaining the DFSS BB certification varies depending on the provider and location; however, it typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD.

4. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification program designed to help individuals understand and apply the principles of Scrum, an Agile project management framework. The CSPO certification is awarded by the Scrum Alliance, a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing the practice of Scrum.

The CSPO certification is intended for anyone who works on or with a product team, including product owners, business analysts, project managers, product managers, and other stakeholders involved in creating products. It provides an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a product owner within a Scrum team.

It takes between 2-4 hours to complete the CSPO course and exam. To become certified as a CSPO, you must first take an online or in-person training course offered by one of the many approved training providers. After completing the training course, you will then need to pass an online exam which consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.

The cost for taking the CSPO certification course varies depending on where you take it and what type of course you choose (online or in-person). Generally speaking, courses range from $500-$2,000 USD per person. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees and/or proctoring fees.

5. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have the skills and knowledge needed to manage agile product development projects. CAPM is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is an entry-level certification for those with limited experience in agile product management.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to pass an exam, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as agile principles, project management processes, and product lifecycle management. Applicants must also demonstrate at least 1,500 hours of professional experience in project roles or 23 hours of formal education in project management topics.

To get the CAPM certification, applicants must first register for the exam on the PMI website. After registering, applicants can take the exam at one of PMI’s authorized testing centers or online through a third-party provider. The cost of taking the exam is $300 USD for members of PMI and $400 USD for non-members.

Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their official CAPM certification from PMI. This certification is valid for five years before it needs to be renewed. To renew your CAPM certification, you will need to complete 60 professional development units (PDUs) in project management topics within that five year period.

6. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed for professionals who are looking to improve their skills and advance their career in the field of process improvement.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification requires individuals to have a basic understanding of the principles and tools used in the Lean Six Sigma methodology, as well as experience working on projects using these techniques. The certification also requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply these techniques effectively in their organization.

The LSSGB certification typically takes between four and eight weeks to complete, depending on the individual's experience level and availability of resources. To get certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC. The cost of the exam varies depending on which organization administers it; however, it typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

7. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

A Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional designation awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CQE credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of the body of knowledge in quality engineering and management. This includes topics such as quality assurance, control, improvement, testing, auditing, and inspection.

It typically takes between one to two years to obtain the CQE certification. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. Eligibility requirements include having a minimum of eight years of work experience in quality engineering or related fields, or having a combination of education and work experience that adds up to at least eight years.

To get the CQE certification, applicants must complete an application form and submit it with supporting documents to ASQ. Once approved, applicants must register for and take the CQE exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as statistics, process control systems, product design/development/manufacturing processes, quality assurance/control systems/methods/tools, audit principles/practices/procedures/techniques, etc.

The cost for the CQE certification varies depending on where you live; however it typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

8. Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of software quality engineering principles, practices, and methods. The CSQE certifies that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively design, develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance processes in software development.

The CSQE exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as software quality assurance, process improvement, metrics and measurement, project management, risk management, and other related topics. The exam takes about four hours to complete.

To become certified as a CSQE, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least three years of experience in software quality engineering or related fields
• Pass the ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer Exam
• Submit an application to ASQ with your work experience information
• Pay the required application fee ($200)
• Agree to abide by the ASQ Code of Ethics

Once you have met these requirements, you will be officially certified as a CSQE. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing additional exams.

The cost of getting certified as a CSQE depends on several factors such as your current level of experience and whether or not you need to take additional courses or exams. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200-$500 for the application fee plus any additional fees associated with taking courses or exams.

9. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional who has demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of reliability engineering. The CRE certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to the profession and their ability to apply reliability engineering principles and practices.

The CRE certification process typically takes between three and six months to complete, depending on the individual’s background and experience. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). This exam covers topics such as reliability fundamentals, design for reliability, product life cycle management, failure analysis, preventive maintenance, and other related topics.

The cost of becoming a Certified Reliability Engineer varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $450 USD to take the exam. In addition to this fee, there may be additional fees associated with preparing for the exam such as study materials or training courses.

Once certified, CREs are expected to maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every three years. This ensures that they stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in order to provide reliable solutions for their clients or employers.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected certification in project management, and it is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience in project management.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions based on the PMBOK Guide. The exam takes four hours to complete, and applicants must score at least a 61% to pass.

To be eligible for the PMP exam, applicants must have either:

• A four-year degree plus 4500 hours of project management experience OR
• A secondary diploma plus 7500 hours of project management experience.

Applicants must also have 35 contact hours of formal education in project management topics.

The cost of the PMP exam varies depending on your country or region, but typically ranges from $400-$700 USD.

Do You Really Need a Product Development Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual’s career goals. Product development engineering is a highly specialized field and having a certificate from an accredited program can be beneficial for those looking to enter or advance within this industry. It can also provide valuable knowledge and experience for those already in the field but looking to expand their skillset.

Having a product development engineering certificate demonstrates that an individual has taken the time, effort, and money to gain specialized knowledge about product design and development. It also shows that they have been trained in specific tools and techniques used in the industry, such as CAD software, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing processes. This can help employers identify qualified candidates who are dedicated to their work and understand the nuances of product development engineering.

Additionally, having a product development engineer certificate may open up opportunities for professional advancement or recognition within the industry. Employers may prefer individuals with certification when considering promotions or new job opportunities because it indicates that they have achieved a certain level of expertise in their chosen profession.

In summary, while obtaining a product development engineer certificate is not necessary for everyone in this field, it can be beneficial for those looking to enter or advance within this industry as well as those already in it who want to demonstrate their commitment to their profession.

Related: Product Development Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Development Engineer Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for product development engineers?

A1. Popular certifications for product development engineers include Certified Product Development Professional (CPDP), Certified Professional in Product Development (CPPD), and Certified Product Design Engineer (CPDE).

Q2. How do I become a certified product development engineer?

A2. To become a certified product development engineer, you will need to complete an accredited program and pass the corresponding certification exam. Depending on the certification, this may require additional experience or education beyond the initial training program.

Q3. What is the cost of a product development engineer certification?

A3. The cost of a product development engineer certification varies depending on the specific certification, but typically ranges from $100 to $500 USD. Some certifications may also require an annual fee for continued access to resources and support services.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a product development engineer?

A4. The amount of time required to become certified as a product development engineer depends on the specific certification and your prior experience or education level, but typically takes around 6-12 months from start to finish if you are starting with no prior knowledge or experience in the field.

Q5. What skills does a certified product development engineer need?

A5. A certified product development engineer needs strong technical abilities such as engineering design and analysis, project management, problem solving, communication skills, ability to work with cross-functional teams, understanding of manufacturing processes and materials selection, and knowledge of regulatory standards in their area of expertise.