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Best senior systems engineer certifications
The best certifications for a senior systems engineer are Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
Senior systems engineer certifications demonstrate your competency as a senior systems engineer to employers. However, not all senior systems engineer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best senior systems engineer certifications. Obtaining a senior systems engineer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for senior systems engineers
20 best senior systems engineer certifications
1. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
Targeted towards systems engineers with five or more years of systems engineering work experience
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP)
CISSP-ISSAP requires a candidate to demonstrate 2 years of professional experience in the area of architecture and is an appropriate credential for Chief Security Architects and Analysts who may typically work as independent consultants or in similar capacities. The architect plays a key role within the information security department with responsibilities that functionally fit between the C-suite and upper managerial level and the implementation of the security program. The candidate would generally develop, design, or analyze the overall security plan. Although this role may typically be tied closely to technology, it may be fundamentally closer to the consultative and analytical process of information security.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Global Knowledge can get you on your way to your MCSE! Global Knowledge will help you create a development track suitable to your job responsibilities and career advancement goals. Our real-world training will provide you with the knowledge needed to obtain your MCSE certification.This certification includes the following tracks: Microsoft 2003 MCSE Boot Camp, Microsoft Windows 2003 MCSE Upgrade Boot Camp, MCSE: Messaging Specialization, and Windows 2003 MCSE.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
5. VMware Certified Professional 5 - Data Center Virtualization (VCP5-DCV)
As the demand for professionals with virtualization expertise grows, it is more important than ever to distinguish yourself with a certification that validates your technical expertise. The VCP5-DCV certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates your data center virtualization expertise, and confirms that you have the skills and ability to successfully install, deploy, scale and manage VMware vSphere environments.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP has clearly emerged as the key certification for security professionals. In fact, in an informal survey of information security jobs on a major employment web site, more than 70% of the positions required CISSP certification. Corporations are demanding experienced information security professionals with the certifications to prove it to protect their information and assets. Our course has been prepared with great care to provide the most exhaustive survey of the CISSP information, test taking techniques, and preparation materials available in the industry. While other CISSP course providers require extensive reading and practice test preparation between completing the class and taking the exam, our students have found that the high quality of our course and its in-class practice test result in a minimum of extra time spent preparing for the exam.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
7. Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator (MCITP)
The enterprise administrator is responsible for the overall Windows Server 2008 R2 environment and architecture. The enterprise administrator translates business goals into technology decisions and designs mid-range to long-term strategies.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
8. Certified UNIX System Administrator (CUSA)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
9. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)
This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in twelve key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing, Software Engineering Maintenance, Software Engineering Configuration Management, Software Engineering Quality, Software Engineering Processes, Software Engineering Models & Methods, Software Engineering Management, Software Engineering Project Management, Software Engineering Economics and the successful completion of two advanced applied modules.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
10. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)
The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
11. CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP)
The Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Operations) validates knowledge and skills required (of a Tier II or Tier III support engineer) to troubleshoot and maintain service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures. With a CCNP SP Operations certification, a network professional demonstrates knowledge and skills required to isolate network performance problems, implement proactive fault measures using operations management processes, frameworks, and network management systems.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
12. Information Systems Professional (ISP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
13. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) certification program is developed specifically for experienced information security managers and those who have information security management responsibilities. The CISM certification is for the individual who manages, designs, oversees and/or assesses an enterprise's information security (IS). The CISM certification promotes international practices and provides executive management with assurance that those earning the designation have the required experience and knowledge to provide effective security management and consulting services. Individuals earning the CISM certification become part of an elite peer network, attaining a one-of-a-kind credential. The CISM job practice also defines a global job description for the information security manager and a method to measure existing staff or compare prospective new hires.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
14. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Project Management Institute's newest credential is specifically developed to acknowledge the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program. You will benefit from the many advantages of this new designation. Candidates earning this credential will be internationally recognized as professionals with the knowledge and experience to make and implement the important decisions and accomplish the strategic objectives that enhance business results.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
15. Certified Technical Professional (CTP)
Certified Technical Professional (CTP) program is designed to serve graduates of both 2-Year and 4-Year Programs. The exam is broad-based, geared to technical programs without a management component that result in either an associate (AS, AAS) degree or a baccalaureate (BS, BA) degree.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
16. Certified System Administrator (CSA)
The SCO Certified System Administrator (CSA) certification is the basic level of certification for SCO UNIX products, and is the first step in achieving your ACE or Master ACE advance certifications.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
17. VMware Certified Associate - Data Center Virtualization (VCA-DCV)
Whether you simply want to become more conversant in virtualization technologies or ultimately want to be a recognized virtualization expert, VMware certification is now an essential step for your career. With the VCA - Data Center Virtualization certification, you'll have greater credibility when discussing data center virtualization, the business challenges that vSphere is designed to address, and how virtualizing the data center with vSphere addresses those challenges. You'll be able to define data center virtualization and provide use case scenarios of how vSphere and data center virtualization can provide cost and operational benefits.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required?
18. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
A Red Hat® Certified Engineer (RHCE®) is a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) who possesses the additional skills, knowledge, and abilities required of a senior system administrator responsible for Red Hat Enterprise Linux® systems.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
19. Energy Management Certification (EMC)
EMC is an advanced certificate program designed for Engineers, Technicians, and Facility Maintenance & Energy Managers.This program goes beyond the fundamentals and teaches a broad spectrum of energy management principles and techniques. Topics include building energy use, glazing, insulation, building envelope, heating/cooling, secondary HVAC, controls, central plant equipment, energy auditing, operation and maintenance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
20. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
An IT professional who has earned the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA®) is able to perform the core system administration skills required in Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. The credential is earned after successfully passing the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Exam (EX200).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a senior systems engineer?
The best senior systems engineer certification is Project Management Professional (PMP). The Project Management Professional (PMP) is awarded by the Project Management Institute. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this senior systems engineer certification:
- To become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for senior systems engineers?
The most in-demand senior systems engineer certification is Project Management Professional based on all active job postings. Having this senior systems engineer certification will give you access to more senior systems engineer jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a senior systems engineer career and salary?
The Certified Systems Engineering Professional certification will help you to secure a principal systems engineer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A principal systems engineer's average salary is $122,563 whereas senior systems engineers make an average salary of $108,121.
The most common combination of senior systems engineer certifications include: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
Online courses for senior systems engineers to earn certifications
1. VMware vSphere 6.0 Part 5 - VM Backup and Replication
Learn to backup and recover VMs using VMware Data Protection and how to replicate VMs using v Sphere Replication...
2. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
3. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
4. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
5. Veeam Backup & Replication Course Zero to Mastery
Take Backup & Restore from v Sphere & Hyper-V Replication & Disaster Recovery Secure Backup Data Upto V12...
6. Domain Name System (DNS) Administration- Windows Server 2016
DNS Server installation and domain name / zone setup on Windows Server 2016 using the Server Manager & DNS MMC Consoles...
7. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
8. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
9. SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR)
Dive deep into how SQL Server works to implement an effective high availability and disaster recovery solution...
10. Learning Path: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
Manage your infrastructure and build advanced, practical concepts with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager...
11. Active Directory Pentesting With Kali Linux - Red Team
Attacking and Hacking Active Directory With Kali Linux Full Course - Red Team Hacking Pentesting...
12. VMware Virtualization Fundamentals
Overview of Virtualization and Learn VMware Virtualization...
13. Advanced React For Enterprise: React for senior engineers
A practical deep dive into building, scaling and maintaining high-quality design systems for software engineers...
14. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
15. Linux KVM for System Engineers
Learn KVM Installation, Configuration and Administration...
16. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies
Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...
17. VMware vSphere 7: install, configure, manage [v7] VCTA 2022
Training for beginners Full Create Virtual LAB Step by Step Advance Features ideal for VCTA EXAM 2022...
18. Advanced Linux System Administration
This course will teach you everything you need to know to be an Advanced system administrator...
19. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
Become a Software Architect or Technical Lead by Mastering Software Architecture, System Design & Big Data Processing...
20. RHCE Linux System Engineer Complete Course
RHCE Complete Linux Administration Course covering advanced Network, Storage...