Top 10 Staff Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a staff engineer's job market competitiveness. Obtaining certifications demonstrates that an engineer has attained certain levels of knowledge and skill, making them more attractive to potential employers. It also shows that the engineer is committed to ongoing professional development, which is a desirable quality in any employee. Certifications can also help engineers qualify for higher salaries or promotions, as well as expand their career opportunities by helping them become more marketable to other companies or industries.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Staff Engineers and explains how they can help to advance a Staff Engineer's career.

What are Staff Engineer Certifications?

Staff Engineer Certification is a type of professional certification program designed to help engineers demonstrate their technical proficiency and expertise in a particular area. It is designed to provide engineers with a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles, practices, and procedures for developing, testing, and maintaining complex systems. This certification can be very beneficial to engineers as it can help them stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions. By obtaining this certification, an engineer demonstrates that they are knowledgeable in their field and have the skills necessary to successfully complete complex engineering tasks. Additionally, it can also help employers identify qualified candidates for positions requiring specialized engineering skills. The knowledge and credentials obtained through staff engineer certification can also open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or even at other companies.

Pro Tip: Consider offering staff engineers the opportunity to become certified in their field of expertise. This will not only give them an edge in the job market, but also demonstrate their commitment to professional growth and development. Certification can also help staff engineers stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, which can lead to improved performance and greater success in their roles.

Related: What does a Staff Engineer do?

Top 10 Staff Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Engineer (CPE)

Certified Professional Engineer (CPE) is a professional certification for engineers in the United States. It is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The CPE certification is designed to demonstrate an engineer’s competency in their field and to provide assurance that they meet a minimum level of professional standards.

It typically takes between two and four years to become certified as a CPE, depending on the individual's experience. To be eligible, an engineer must have at least four years of experience in engineering practice or research, hold a valid engineering license from one of the 50 states or territories, and pass the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam.

The cost for becoming a CPE varies according to state regulations. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 for the application fee, $250-$350 for the exam fee, and additional fees may apply if you need to retake any part of the exam.

2. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

A Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is a professional certification for software developers. It is an industry-recognized credential that shows employers that the holder has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop high-quality software applications. The certification is administered by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA).

The CSDP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as software development processes, design patterns, object-oriented programming, database design and development, web development, and more.

To become certified as a CSDP, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by IASA. These include having at least two years of professional experience in software development or related fields and passing the CSDP exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have met these requirements, you can register for the exam online through IASA's website.

The cost of taking the CSDP exam varies depending on the country in which you take it. In the United States, it costs $450 USD; in Canada it costs $400 CAD; and in Europe it costs €350 EURO.

3. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)

Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) is a certification program offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). The CSEP certification is designed to recognize and promote the professional practice of systems engineering. It is based on an internationally accepted body of knowledge that defines the profession.

The CSEP certification requires applicants to have at least four years of documented experience in systems engineering and pass an exam. Applicants must also complete a minimum number of hours of continuing education credits every three years in order to maintain their certification.

To get the CSEP certification, applicants must first register with INCOSE and then submit an application form along with supporting documentation such as transcripts, references, and work experience. Once approved, applicants will be required to take an online exam that tests their knowledge of systems engineering principles and practices.

The cost for the CSEP certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of INCOSE. For non-members, it costs $495 USD for the application fee plus $395 USD for the exam fee. For members, it costs $295 USD for the application fee plus $195 USD for the exam fee.

4. Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)

Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) is a professional certification program offered by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of manufacturing engineering. The certification requires candidates to pass an exam, which covers topics such as manufacturing processes, materials, and automation.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CMfgE exam. Candidates should study for the exam by reading relevant textbooks, attending seminars or workshops, and taking practice tests.

The cost of taking the CMfgE exam is $450 USD for SME members and $550 USD for non-members. This fee includes registration, administration fees, and access to online resources.

Once certified, individuals can use their credentials to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in manufacturing engineering. They may also be eligible for higher salaries or promotions within their organization.

5. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CQE credential is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles and practices, including statistical analysis, design of experiments, process control methods, and product/process reliability.

It typically takes two to three years of dedicated study to prepare for the CQE exam. Candidates must have a minimum of eight years of full-time work experience in at least one area of quality engineering as well as three years of management experience in a related field.

To get the CQE credential, candidates must pass an examination administered by ASQ. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality systems, statistical techniques, quality cost concepts and tools, product/process design and development, and quality auditing.

The cost for taking the CQE exam is $450 for members of ASQ or $600 for non-members. In addition to this fee there may be other costs associated with studying for the exam such as books or online courses.

6. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional designation awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CRE certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in reliability engineering. It is intended to provide assurance to employers, clients, and the public that the individual has met specific standards of knowledge and proficiency.

The CRE certification process consists of two parts: an examination and a portfolio review. The examination tests the candidate's knowledge of reliability engineering principles, methods, and tools. The portfolio review assesses the candidate's experience in applying reliability engineering principles in their work.

It typically takes between one to three years to complete all the requirements for obtaining a CRE certification. To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational requirements (such as having a bachelor’s degree in an engineering-related field) and have at least four years of relevant work experience. Candidates must also pass both the written exam and portfolio review with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are an ASQ member or not. For non-members, it costs $450 USD to take the exam plus any additional fees for taking the portfolio review ($200 USD). For ASQ members, it costs $350 USD for the exam plus any additional fees for taking the portfolio review ($200 USD).

7. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize and certify individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to successfully lead and manage projects.

To become a PMP, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

Once you have met these requirements, you can apply for the PMP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover five areas: initiating processes, planning processes, executing processes, monitoring/controlling processes, and closing processes. You will have four hours to complete the exam.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on your membership status with PMI. For non-members it costs $555 USD; for members it costs $405 USD. Once you pass the exam you will be officially certified as a PMP.

In addition to taking the exam there are other requirements to maintain your certification such as completing continuing education credits every three years and paying an annual fee of $129 USD for members or $179 USD for non-members.

8. Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to lead and manage Six Sigma projects. It is awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) after the successful completion of a rigorous certification exam. The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques.

The certification process can take anywhere from three to six months, depending on the individual's prior knowledge and experience with Six Sigma. To become certified, individuals must complete an approved course or training program, demonstrate mastery of the material, and pass the ASQ exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the type of training program chosen. In-person courses can range from $3,000 to $5,000 while online courses are typically much cheaper at around $1,000 to $2,500. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as registration fees and study materials.

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must also have three years of full-time work experience in a role related to Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing in order to become certified.

9. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to apply Lean Six Sigma principles in their organization. The certification is based on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process and emphasizes problem-solving through data-driven decision making.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes about four months to complete. To get certified, you must first pass an online exam that covers topics such as understanding the DMAIC process, applying Lean tools and techniques, and using statistical methods. After passing the exam, you will need to submit a project report demonstrating your ability to apply Lean Six Sigma principles in practice.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the course and how much support you need from a mentor or coach. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 USD.

Once you have earned your certification, it is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. You can also opt to become a Certified Black Belt or Master Black Belt if you have more experience with Lean Six Sigma principles.

10. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification offered by the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). It is designed to provide a basic understanding of the ITIL framework and its core concepts. The certification covers topics such as service management, service design, service transition, service operations, and continual service improvement.

The ITIL Foundation Certification exam takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must answer at least 26 questions correctly.

To get certified in ITIL Foundation, you will need to take an accredited training course or self-study using official ITIL materials. After completing your training, you can register for the exam online or at a test center near you. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location and whether you are taking it online or in person. In general, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an ITIL Foundation Certificate that is valid for three years from the date of issue. You can renew your certification by taking another accredited training course or passing a recertification exam every three years.

Do You Really Need a Staff Engineer Certificate?

A Staff Engineer Certificate is an important credential for engineers in the workplace. It is a way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of engineering, as well as your commitment to continuing education and professional development. The certificate is awarded by professional engineering associations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers or the National Society of Professional Engineers. Earning this certificate can help you stand out from other engineers and provide you with greater opportunities for advancement within your organization.

Whether or not you need a Staff Engineer Certificate depends on your goals and current career path. If you are already working in an engineering role and are looking to advance within your organization, then having this certificate can be beneficial. It demonstrates that you have achieved a certain level of competence in the field and gives employers confidence that you are capable of performing at a higher level. Additionally, obtaining a Staff Engineer Certificate may be required for certain positions within some organizations, so it is important to check with potential employers before applying for any job openings.

On the other hand, if you are just starting out in engineering or are still exploring different career paths, then pursuing a Staff Engineer Certificate may not be necessary right away. Instead, it might be more beneficial to focus on gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work before investing time and money into obtaining this certification. As long as you continue to build upon your knowledge base and stay current with industry trends, then having a Staff Engineer Certificate will become increasingly important as you progress further in your career.

Related: Staff Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Staff Engineer Certifications

Q1. What is a Staff Engineer Certification?

A1. A Staff Engineer Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s proficiency in engineering principles and processes, as well as their ability to lead teams and projects in the engineering field. It's designed to help engineers advance their career and demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Staff Engineer?

A2. To become certified as a Staff Engineer, you must meet the eligibility requirements of your chosen certification program, which may include having a certain number of years of experience in the field, passing an exam, or completing continuing education credits.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Staff Engineer?

A3. Becoming certified as a Staff Engineer can provide numerous benefits, such as increased job opportunities and higher salaries due to your advanced knowledge and skillset. Additionally, having this certification can give you credibility when applying for jobs or promotions within your organization.

Q4. How often should I renew my Staff Engineer Certification?

A4. The renewal process for most certifications requires you to take continuing education courses or exams every few years in order to maintain your certification status. It's important to check with your specific certification program for more detailed information on how often it needs to be renewed.

Q5. Are there any online resources available for studying for my Staff Engineer Certification Exam?

A5. Yes! There are many online resources available that provide practice tests and study materials specifically designed for aspiring staff engineers who are preparing for their certification exams. Additionally, some organizations offer online courses or seminars that can help you gain valuable insight into the material covered on the exam so that you can have greater confidence when taking it!