Systems Engineering Certifications: 4 Popular Options to Consider

Key takeaways

• Popular systems engineering certifications include the ASEP, the CSEP, the IEEE Professional Software Engineering Master Certification, and the CISSP.

• Earning a certification as a systems engineer can demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills for success in your field.

• You can also use certificate programs to learn new skills and progress toward your career goals.

If you want to learn skills to help you take on more responsibility or move to a different field, a systems engineering certification might be the tool you need. Learn more about systems engineering certifications and four popular options to consider in the following article.

If you're ready to get started right away, consider enrolling in the Introduction to Systems Engineering Specialization offered by the University of Colorado Boulder. In as little as 3 months, you could master industry-standard systems engineering processes, plus identify the phases of a complete system lifecycle.

Systems engineering certifications

You can pursue general systems engineering certifications that apply across the entire field, or choose specialized certifications for your specific industry, such as information technology or aerospace. These certifications come from professional organizations and educational institutions. They establish standards for measuring an engineer's knowledge and skills, giving you valuable credentials for career advancement.

Four key certification programs to consider:

• Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP)

• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)

• IEEE Professional Software Engineering Master Certification

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Each program offers different benefits depending on your experience level and career goals. Explore each one in more detail below.

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Certification

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification was retired in 2021 and replaced by role-based Microsoft certifications focused on cloud technologies. If you're seeking current Microsoft credentials, pursue certifications like Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Solutions Architect Expert instead.

Read more: Azure Certification Path: Levels, Qualifications, and More

1. Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) Certification

The International Council on Systems Engineering, a professional organization for systems engineers, offers the Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP). This certification demonstrates that you have a suitable level of skill and knowledge to work as a junior systems engineer. To earn your ASEP, you will need to pass the INCOSE knowledge exam. 

Requirements: You don’t need prior education or experience for this exam, but you will need to hold an individual membership with INCOSE. 

Member costs (US): Application fee: $180; Exam fee: $80; Annual INCOSE membership fee: $175; Renewal fee (every 5 years): $100 [1,2]

What’s on the exam? The exam features multiple-choice questions from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, which covers best practices in systems engineering for various types of projects. 

How to prepare: INCOSE does not endorse or recommend any specific preparation course or program.

2. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Certification

The Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) is the next step up for certification from INCOSE. This certification builds on the skills you’ll need to pass the ASEP but also requires you to have at least five years of experience in the systems engineering field. To earn your CSEP certification, you need to pass the INCOSE Knowledge exam. 

Requirements: You do not need any prior education to take the CSEP exam, but you will need at least five years of professional experience spanning at least three areas of systems engineering.

Member costs (US): Application fee: $350; Exam fee: $80; INCOSE membership fee: $175; Renewal fee (every 3 years): $100 [1,2]

What’s on the exam? The exam will feature multiple-choice questions from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, which covers various types of best practices in systems engineering for multiple types of projects. 

How to prepare: INCOSE does not endorse or recommend any specific preparation course or program.

3. IEEE Professional Software Engineering Master Certification

The Professional Software Engineering Master Certification offered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a credential for software systems engineers to demonstrate competency in key software engineering principles. To earn this credential, you must pass the IEEE CS Online Exam. 

Requirements: To qualify for this certification, you should have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and four years of relevant professional experience. 

Cost (US): Members: $690; Non-members: $865 [3]

What’s on the exam? The IEEE CS Online Exam covers topics ranging from software requirements to design, testing, and maintenance to engineering management and engineering economics. 

How to prepare: You can find resources to help you prepare for this certification in the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK). 

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is for systems engineers working in computer security systems. This certification demonstrates that you have the skills to lead a security team. To earn your CISSP certification, you need to pass the CISSP exam. After passing the exam, you can begin the online application certification process that confirms your work experience and standing within the cybersecurity industry. You also need to abide by the ISC2 code of ethics. 

Requirements: To qualify for this certification, you will need five or more years of work experience spanning at least two of the eight domains covered by the CISSP exam. 

Cost (US): Exam: $749, ICS2 certified membership yearly maintenance fee: $135 [4,5]

What’s on the exam? The CISSP exam covers topics in eight domains of software security systems: security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security. 

How to prepare: To prepare for the CISSP certification, you can enroll in a preparatory course like CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Specialization offered by PACKT.

What jobs can you get with a systems engineering certification?

A systems engineering certification can help you prepare to work as a systems engineer, but you can also qualify for roles with other job titles. Three potential choices include systems integration engineer, systems analyst, and project engineer. Explore these roles, along with their average annual base pay. 

Systems integration engineer

Median total pay in the US: $148,000 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 10 percent [7]

As a systems integration engineer, you will integrate computer systems. In this role, you will help determine what software integrations your organization should do, educate staff and team members about software integration procedures, and use best practices to design and implement the integration strategy. 

Systems analyst

Median total pay in the US: $119,000 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 8 percent [9]

As a systems analyst, you will help companies and organizations determine how they can improve their systems and better reach company goals. In this role, you may work with IT systems, but you may also provide recommendations to companies about other kinds of organizational systems.

Project engineer

Median total pay in the US: $108,000 [10]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 7 percent [11]

As a project engineer, you will plan and oversee technical projects and make sure the project is compliant, on budget, and on schedule. You may work with a project manager, and you will provide support for the technical aspects of project planning that occur in the field. 

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