Considering a Systems Engineering Certification? Read This First!
The demand for engineers has increased in recent years, attracting a surge of talent eager to pursue a career in this field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), engineering occupations are expected to outpace the overall job growth rate from 2022 to 2032, with around 188,000 annual openings, and systems engineering is no exception.
In this increasingly competitive landscape, a systems engineering certification is no longer just an option but a strategic investment in career advancement. Likewise, it’s a necessary differentiator for access to high-impact projects and positioning yourself as a trusted and qualified professional.
While certifications validate an engineer's competence in the field, experienced professionals seeking to stand out in the job market can significantly boost their careers by pursuing a master's in systems engineering. This advanced degree deepens their technical knowledge and opens doors to specialization. Additionally, a master's degree enhances their leadership and management skills, increasing earning potential and expanding the scope of career possibilities.
Discover in this article how earning a systems engineering certification can pave the way toward a master’s degree and prepare you for systems engineering jobs. Moreover, explore practical strategies for excelling in test preparation with helpful resources to pass your chosen certification confidently.
What are Systems Engineering Certifications?
Benefits of a Systems Engineering Certification
What Certifications Should a Systems Engineer Have?
Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP)
Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
Expert Systems Engineering Professional Certification (ESEP)
How to Prepare for Systems Engineering Certifications?
What are Systems Engineering Certifications?
A systems engineering certification complements your degree by formally recognizing your knowledge and skills in the field. It serves as a professional validation, signaling to employers that you've met industry standards for managing complex interactions between software, hardware, networks and human users.
These certifications, available at various levels, evaluate your comprehension of critical aspects, encompassing systems engineering principles and methodologies, technical skills related to specific engineering disciplines and software tools, and essential leadership and communication skills crucial for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders and teams.
Benefits of a Systems Engineering Certification
A systems engineering certification brings several career benefits. By developing skills that the job market demands, you can increase job opportunities and earn a higher salary over time.
Many companies seek certified professionals for critical positions, especially in government and defense sectors, such as cybersecurity, aerospace engineering, or program management.
A recognized systems engineering certification, such as those offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), strengthens your resume, and sets you apart from non-certified peers. It demonstrates your commitment to professional development and validates your expertise to potential employers, recruiters, and colleagues.
But why are certifications so critical for companies?
Certified systems engineers minimize risk by ensuring consistent knowledge and skills that meet industry standards. This validation gives employers greater confidence in the abilities of certified professionals to handle critical tasks effectively. For this reason, an accredited professional is usually better paid than a non-certified individual.
In many cases, if an employee expresses interest in obtaining a certification or master's degree that aligns with the employee's role, the company may offer various forms of support. So, you have several ways to finance your education.
What Certifications Should a Systems Engineer Have?
Systems engineers have different options to become certified. Choose the one that best aligns with your professional background, specialization and career goals.
We’ve listed below the highest-impact systems engineering certifications, highlighting the potential salary they can bring and providing you with helpful resources to prepare.
Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP)
The ASEP certification validates a comprehensive understanding of fundamental systems engineering principles. It is a stepping stone into the field, designed for early-career professionals with limited or no prior experience.
You can achieve this certification by taking a written exam that tests the knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook or providing evidence of academic equivalency, such as a relevant educational degree or coursework.
In 2023, the application fee for the Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) certification was $180.
Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
CSEP is the best known among the most respected credentials in systems engineering. Like ASEP certification, CSEP is offered by INCOSE, a global knowledge community dedicated to advancing the field and its practitioners.
Certified systems engineers earn an average salary of $136,000, according to data from PayScale and ZipRecruiter. This earning potential reflects the high demand for their specialized skills and expertise.
To be eligible for the CSEP certification, candidates need a combination of education, professional experience and involvement in systems engineering activities. They must also pass the test or demonstrate equivalent knowledge to earn the certification.
In 2023, the application fee for the Certified Systems Engineering Professional Certification (CSEP) was $350.
Expert Systems Engineering Professional Certification (ESEP)
The ESEP certification demonstrates a profound understanding of systems engineering principles, methodologies and best practices.
Candidates for the ESEP certification require more than 20 years of experience and go through a rigorous application process, submit a detailed application, document achievements, and provide evidence of contributions to systems engineering. As part of the certification process, candidates participate in a one-hour phone interview evaluating their technical proficiency.
In 2023, the application fee for the INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification was $630.
How to Prepare for Systems Engineering Certifications?
Start your certification preparation by understanding the requirements, including eligibility criteria and prerequisites, to ensure you meet the qualifications before applying.
You can access official study materials like the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook for CSEP, such as guides and reference content. INCOSE also provides sample exam questions to help you familiarize yourself with the format and identify areas that need further study.
Combine this material with guided learning that helps you solidify your understanding and pinpoint areas for improvement.
In the online Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), experienced instructors will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be better prepared for INCOSE certifications.
The program features five core courses, covering key areas like systems engineering fundamentals, management, requirements analysis, integration, verification, and validation, and culminates in a practical project. The best part is that you can also apply credits from this program toward a master's in systems engineering at UTEP.
