Engineering Certifications

What Makes a Control Systems Engineer (CSE) Truly Successful? In today’s fast-paced industrial world, a Control Systems Engineer isn’t just someone who writes ladder logic and HMI programming. To stand out, you need to become a technical Swiss Army knife—an integrator, safety advocate, and digital problem solver. Here’s the ultimate skill stack every serious CSE should aim to build: - Networking Knowledge Master the foundations of Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, VLANs, and firewalls. Start with CompTIA Network+ as a launchpad. - Instrumentation & Measurement Learn how to specify and troubleshoot transmitters, valves, and analyzers. Certifications like ISA CCST or CAP give you real-world credibility. - Cybersecurity for OT Understand ISA/IEC 62443, defense-in-depth, and secure architecture. Cyber threats are no longer just IT’s problem. - Programming & Scripting Besides PLCs, knowing Python, VB, and SQL gives you superpowers for scripting, automation, and diagnostics. - Database & Historian Knowledge Build solutions that scale — from SCADA logging to SQL analytics and data archiving. - Hardware & Network Configuration Setup and troubleshoot servers, VMs, routers, managed switches, and edge devices like a pro. - Safety Systems (SIS) & Functional Safety Design and validate SIS according to IEC 61511 with SIL-rated systems and lifecycle documentation. - Explosion-Proof & Hazardous Areas Understand Class I Div 1/2, ATEX, IECEx, and intrinsic safety requirements in hazardous locations. - Redundancy & High Availability Design systems with redundant PLCs, networks, and hot-standby servers to ensure zero downtime. - Process Equipment & Industrial Operations Familiarity with pumps, compressors, reactors, distillation towers, and typical control schemes boosts effectiveness. - Industrial Robotics Integration Understand how to communicate with and control robot arms, AGVs, and smart machines across various protocols. - Standards & Regulatory Codes Compliance with NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 79, UL508A, IEC 61131, and ISA design standards is crucial. - PE Certification (Control Systems Engineering) Holding a PE license in CSE adds authority, allows you to seal designs, and demonstrates engineering ethics and accountability. A modern CSE is no longer just a programmer — they’re a strategic integrator, bridging the worlds of operations, safety, IT, and innovation. What else do you think a CSE should gain? Let me know in the comments. I love to know your opinion? #ControlSystems #AutomationEngineer

Why Certifications Still Matter in Tech: A Reality Check There’s a growing trend downplaying certifications in favor of hands-on practical skills, but this perspective overlooks a crucial hiring reality. When 35 CVs land on a recruiter’s desk and all candidates have 5+ years of experience, only 8 hold relevant certifications—those certified professionals immediately stand out from the crowd. Certifications serve as powerful differentiators when experience levels are comparable, functioning as an initial filter that can either open doors or close them before you even get to demonstrate your practical skills. Beyond their filtering power, certifications drive comprehensive knowledge acquisition in ways that practical experience alone cannot match. They guide you through every corner of a technology, including areas you might never encounter in day-to-day work, ensuring you understand not just the “how” but the “why” behind technologies. While hands-on experience teaches you to solve specific problems, certifications like Red Hat RHCSA/RHCE, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS Solutions Architect, and Docker Certified Associate expose you to edge cases, best practices, and architectural principles that significantly broaden your expertise. The most successful professionals don’t choose between certifications and experience—they strategically combine both to maximize their career potential in today’s competitive tech landscape. #TechCareers #Certifications #ProfessionalDevelopment

I get asked about what certifications are good to pursue in Controls and Automation.. This isn’t a complete catalog, just a guide to help navigate what’s out there and what’s worth the time. Some will say they went an entire 30yrs without them, well thats great for them, but we're talking about YOU. Udemy can be a great place to start if you’re short on budget, but you should always personally budget for your own development. Don’t wait for a company to invest in you. They should, but if they don’t, you push through then find an employer that does. Certifications carry weight, especially when you don’t yet have a large portfolio of completed projects to stand on. They show initiative, validate skills, and open doors, particularly in competitive or specialized environments. And if someone tries to tell you that certifications don’t matter? Stop listening to them. Return to manufacturer. That one's defective. There are a lot of those out there. So here’s rule #1: learn how to discern. 1. SCADA / HMI / Automation Platforms Ignition SCADA Certification (Core, Gold, Integrator) Aveva (Wonderware) Developer & System Platform Certs FactoryTalk View SE/ME (Rockwell) GE iFIX / Cimplicity 2. PLC / DCS / Industrial Control Systems Rockwell Automation Certifications (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FT View) Siemens Certifications (TIA Portal, S7-1500/1200, PCS7) Mitsubishi, Omron, Beckhoff, Schneider Electric Certs 3. Networking / Cybersecurity (OT-Focused) Cisco CCNA (or Industrial Networking-specific versions) CompTIA Network+ / Security+ ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Certificate OPC UA / MQTT Sparkplug B training 4. Programming / Scripting Python Certifications (PCAP, PCEP) PowerShell Training – Critical for Windows-based OT environments Command Prompt (CMD) Scripting MATLAB Training (if you're moving toward modeling or simulation) 5. Server / Systems / Virtualization Microsoft Certifications (Windows Server, SQL Server, Active Directory) VMware Certified Professional (VCP) AWS / Azure Cloud Fundamentals OSIsoft PI System Certification 6. Electrical / Safety NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Training TÜV Functional Safety Engineer (SIS or Machinery) Electronics Technician Certification (ETA, IPC, etc.) 7. Design / Drafting / CAD AutoCAD Electrical Certification EPLAN Certification 8. Project / Team Leadership Project Management Professional (PMP) – Gold standard, very useful for large projects Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – Cheaper, for those with less experience Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt / Yellow Belt) – For process improvement projects 9. General / Cross-Disciplinary Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST - ISA) ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) Electronics Systems Technician (EST) OSHA 10/30 Hour General Industry Training NCCER Industrial Instrumentation & Electrical Certifications Robotics Certifications (FANUC, Yaskawa, UR, etc.)