Top 10 Solutions Engineer Certifications

Certifications are very important for solutions engineers in the job market. They demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that can be trusted by employers. A certification can be a great way to stand out from other applicants and prove your qualifications to potential employers. Having certifications also shows that you have taken the time to stay up-to-date on industry best practices, trends, and technologies, which is critical in the ever-changing world of technology. Certifications can open doors to more job opportunities, higher salaries, and more respect from colleagues.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Solutions Engineers and explain how they can help further a Solutions Engineer's career.

What are Solutions Engineer Certifications?

Solutions Engineer Certification is a professional certification program designed to help technology professionals gain the knowledge and skills needed to become successful solutions engineers. Solutions Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, deploying, and managing complex IT solutions for their organizations. This includes understanding customer requirements and translating them into technical specifications, designing solutions that meet those requirements, testing the solutions for quality assurance, and managing the deployment of the final product. The certification program covers topics such as software development lifecycle management, project management, system architecture design, and cloud computing. It also includes training on industry-standard technologies such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

By earning Solutions Engineer Certification, individuals can demonstrate their proficiency in these areas to employers. This can be an advantage when applying for jobs or negotiating salary increases. Additionally, having this certification may open up opportunities to work with larger companies or on more advanced projects. By staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices through continuing education courses that are part of the certification program, Solutions Engineers can ensure they remain competitive in their field.

Pro Tip: Research the exact requirements for solutions engineer certification in your chosen field and make sure to stay up-to-date on any changes or updates. Many certifications have specific prerequisites that must be met before you can take the exam, so be sure to familiarize yourself with those in advance. Additionally, make sure to take advantage of any available study material or resources to help prepare for the exam.

Related: What does a Solutions Engineer do?

Top 10 Solutions Engineer Certifications

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

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification program offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to recognize individuals who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to design, deploy, and manage applications on the AWS platform. The certification validates an individual’s ability to:

• Design highly available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS
• Select appropriate AWS services to design and deploy an application based on given requirements
• Migrate complex multi-tier applications on AWS
• Design and deploy enterprise-wide scalable operations on AWS
• Implement cost control strategies for their organizations using AWS.

The exam typically takes around 80 minutes to complete. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 720 out of 1000. The exam fee varies by country but generally costs between $150-$300 USD.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification offered by Microsoft that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and administering solutions based on Microsoft technology. It is designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who are responsible for designing, building, deploying, and managing complex IT infrastructures.

To get an MCSE certification, individuals must pass a series of exams that demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various areas of Microsoft technology. The exams cover topics such as networking infrastructure, client operating systems, server operating systems, identity management, messaging systems, security fundamentals, cloud technologies and data platform technologies.

The amount of time it takes to get an MCSE certification depends on the individual's experience level and how much time they can dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to earn an MCSE certification.

To get an MCSE certification you must first register with Microsoft Learning and then purchase exam vouchers for each exam you plan to take. Each exam voucher costs $165 USD. Once you have passed all the required exams you will receive your MCSE certification from Microsoft Learning.

3. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification from Cisco Systems. It is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of networking professionals in implementing, configuring, managing and troubleshooting routed and switched networks.

To earn the CCNP certification, candidates must pass three exams: ROUTE (300-101), SWITCH (300-115), and TSHOOT (300-135). The exams are available through Pearson VUE or Cisco’s official training partner, Global Knowledge.

The CCNP certification typically takes about one year to complete. Candidates should plan to spend at least three months studying for each exam before taking it.

To get the CCNP certification, candidates must first become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The CCNA is a prerequisite for the CCNP certification and can be achieved by passing either the ICND1/ICND2 or the Composite exam.

The cost of taking all three exams required for the CCNP certification varies depending on where you take them. Each exam costs $325 USD when taken at Pearson VUE or Global Knowledge.

4. Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual's ability to design, develop, and manage robust, secure, and scalable solutions on Google Cloud Platform. It is the highest level of certification offered by Google for its cloud platform.

To get certified as a Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect, you must pass two exams: the Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer exam and the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam. The Associate-level exam tests your understanding of basic cloud concepts and services such as Compute Engine, App Engine, BigQuery, and Storage. The Professional-level exam tests your knowledge of advanced topics such as security, networking, data storage and analytics, identity management, application development and deployment strategies.

The exams are available online through the Google Certification Exam website. Each exam costs $125 USD and takes about two hours to complete. You will need to create a free account with Google before you can access the exams.

To prepare for the exams you can use various resources such as books, online courses or practice tests. Additionally you can take advantage of free training materials provided by Google themselves on their website or attend instructor-led classes at one of their many training centers around the world.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on how much preparation time you need but typically ranges from $250-$500 USD including both exams fees and any additional resources used in preparation for them.

5. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking technologies. It is designed to demonstrate competency as a network technician, and is vendor-neutral. It covers topics such as network architecture, topologies, protocols, cabling, and security.

It takes approximately 60 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ exam. The exam itself consists of 90 multiple choice questions and takes 90 minutes to complete.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must pass the Network+ exam (N10-007). The exam can be taken at Pearson VUE test centers or online through OnVUE.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam is $319 USD.

6. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source solutions. The RHCSA certification is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It validates an individual’s ability to perform essential system administration tasks such as installation, configuration, maintenance, security, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study and preparation to get ready for the RHCSA exam. This includes studying material from the official Red Hat training courses as well as hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. After completing the necessary preparation, individuals can take the exam at any authorized testing center or through an online proctored exam.

The cost of the RHCSA exam varies depending on where it is taken. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for an in-person exam and $200 USD for an online proctored exam.

7. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) is a certification offered by VMware that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in the field of data center virtualization. VCP6-DCV demonstrates an individual’s ability to deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot VMware vSphere 6 environments.

To obtain the VCP6-DCV certification, individuals must first attend a VMware authorized training course such as the vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage or equivalent. After attending the training course, individuals must pass two exams: a qualifying exam and a hands-on lab exam. The qualifying exam is a multiple choice test that covers topics such as virtual machine management, storage management, networking concepts, and more. The hands-on lab exam requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge by performing various tasks in a simulated environment.

The cost for obtaining VCP6-DCV varies depending on which training course you choose to take. Additionally, there are fees associated with taking the qualifying exam and hands-on lab exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 USD to obtain the VCP6-DCV certification.

Once all requirements have been met and exams passed successfully, individuals will receive their VCP6-DCV certification from VMware within 2 weeks of passing their exams.

8. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional is an Oracle certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for the installation, configuration, and maintenance of Oracle databases. It is designed to ensure that certified professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage an Oracle 12c database environment.

The Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional certification requires successful completion of two exams: 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration. It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for these exams, depending on your experience level.

To get this certification, you must first register for the exams at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam is $245 USD. After successfully passing both exams, you will receive your certification from Oracle.

9. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in deploying, managing, and operating highly available, fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. This certification validates an individual’s ability to design distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform, as well as implement and manage continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS.

It typically takes up to 6 months of preparation to pass the exam. The best way to prepare for the exam is by studying for it using official study materials from Amazon Web Services (AWS). Additionally, there are many online resources available such as practice tests, tutorials, and webinars that can help you better understand the concepts covered in the exam.

The cost of the exam is $300 USD. To take the exam, you must register with Pearson VUE at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. Once you have registered with Pearson VUE, you will be able to select your preferred date and time for taking the exam.

10. Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)

The Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a system administrator’s skills and knowledge in managing Linux systems. The certification is designed to demonstrate that the individual has the necessary skills to manage and maintain Linux systems in an enterprise environment.

The LFCS exam is composed of two parts: a hands-on lab exam and a multiple-choice exam. The hands-on lab exam requires the candidate to perform various tasks on a live system, while the multiple-choice exam tests their knowledge of Linux concepts, commands, and tools. Both exams are administered online through the Linux Foundation's Exam Portal.

It typically takes around eight hours to complete both parts of the LFCS exam. However, this can vary depending on individual skill level and experience with Linux administration.

To get certified as a LFCS, you must first register for the exams through the Linux Foundation's Exam Portal. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials and practice exams that can help prepare for the actual exams. After completing both parts of the LFCS exam successfully, you will be awarded your certification from The Linux Foundation.

The cost of getting certified as an LFCS varies depending on where you take your exams. Generally speaking, it costs around $300 USD for both parts of the exam combined.

Do You Really Need a Solutions Engineer Certificate?

Whether you need a solutions engineer certificate or not depends on your individual career goals and professional aspirations. A solutions engineer certificate can give you the knowledge and skills needed to develop, deploy, and manage IT solutions for businesses. It can also open up job opportunities in the field of IT engineering, such as working as an IT systems analyst or a software developer.

However, it is important to remember that having a solutions engineer certificate does not guarantee success in the field. You should also consider whether the coursework required for the certificate will help you meet your career goals and if it is worth investing time and money into obtaining it. Additionally, having relevant experience in the field is essential for succeeding in this role.

Overall, deciding whether or not to pursue a solutions engineer certificate should be based on your individual career goals and professional aspirations. If you believe that this certification will help you reach your desired outcome then it may be worth pursuing. However, if there are other ways for you to gain experience in this field without obtaining a certificate then those should be considered as well.

Related: Solutions Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Solutions Engineer Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Solutions Engineers?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for Solutions Engineers, including the CompTIA A+ certification, the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certification, the Cisco Certified Network Professional certification, and the Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect certification.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Solutions Engineer?

Answer: The time frame required to become certified as a Solutions Engineer depends on the specific certification and experience level of the individual. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to several years to become certified in this field.

3. What is the cost associated with becoming a Solutions Engineer?

Answer: The cost of obtaining certifications for Solutions Engineering varies depending on the type of certification and training program chosen. Generally speaking, most certifications will require an initial fee as well as additional fees for books, materials, and exams.

4. Are there any prerequisites required before becoming a Solutions Engineer?

Answer: While there are no formal prerequisites required to become a Solutions Engineer, having experience in IT systems or networks is recommended in order to increase your chances of success when taking exams or applying for jobs in this field. Additionally, some certifications may require prior knowledge or experience in related topics such as computer hardware or software development.

5. What job opportunities exist for certified Solutions Engineers?

Answer: There are many job opportunities available for certified Solutions Engineers across various industries including healthcare, finance, government organizations and more. Common job titles include Systems Administrator, Network Engineer, Security Analyst and Cloud Architect among others.