6 Best Solutions Engineer Certifications for Career Advancement

Standing out as a solutions engineer (SE) in the tech job market can be challenging. Companies constantly seek professionals who can back up their skills with recognized credentials. Sometimes, these qualifications can be the gateway to being considered for the role in the first place.

This is where solutions engineer certifications come into play. They help validate your technical expertise and set you apart from other job seekers.

In this article, we’ll list the best certifications you can obtain to grow your career. But first, let's look at the SE role and how certifications can benefit you.

Understanding the Solutions Engineer Role

A solutions engineer, also known as a sales engineer, is a tech sales professional who helps clients find the best possible technical solutions to their needs.

Solutions engineers bridge between a company's technical products and its customers.

As an SE, it's your job to translate complex features into easy-to-understand solutions. You'll also work closely with sales teams, software developers, and IT professionals to ensure the product meets the client's requirements.

This role requires a wide technical skill set, which includes in-depth knowledge of software, hardware, and various IT infrastructures.

You must also have strong communication and presentation skills. These abilities will help you answer technical questions, address issues, and present the company's products effectively.

Benefits of Having a Solutions Engineer Certification

Having certifications can impact your solutions engineering career in several ways. Below are the benefits of obtaining one:

Improve Your Solutions Engineer Skills and Knowledge

Certifications are designed to help you master new tools, frameworks, and technologies. 

Whether it’s cloud computing or networking, these credentials can expand your technical knowledge and skills.

A key advantage of certifications is that they provide structured learning that makes it easier to understand industry standards and best practices.

For example, many certifications now include courses on implementing technical privacy requirements, which are important for protecting data and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Improving your skills and knowledge will make you more effective in your role. This also helps you tackle more complex challenges with confidence.

Increase Earning Potential

The average solutions or sales engineer salary is between $102,000 and $281,000. However, there is potential to earn even more money when you obtain relevant certifications.

Most employers are willing to offer a premium for candidates who bring certified expertise to the table.

Solutions engineering certifications show that you have skills and knowledge in a specific area, which makes you a valuable asset.

Your market value also increases when you acquire certifications in emerging technologies, such as cloud architecture or security. 

This gives you leverage when discussing promotions or negotiating a job offer.

Stand Out in the Tech Job Market

The tech job market is highly competitive, and employers are looking for top talents with expert knowledge.

Having certifications makes it easier to stand out among countless job seekers. They demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.

Recruiters see certifications as a major advantage because they prove that you have the skills needed for the job. 

They also show that you're willing to invest time and money in developing your abilities, which can help you succeed in the role.

Stay Current with the Latest Trends and Tools

Certifications are a great way to stay up to date with existing and future systems. They can teach you about the latest trends, tools, and best practices in your field.

For example, cloud certifications often focus on emerging services and tools that make IT infrastructure more efficient.

They can help you keep up with the fast-paced tech world and ensure your abilities align with industry needs.

6 Best Solutions Engineer Certifications for Career Advancement

Now that you know the benefits of having certifications, you're probably excited to obtain one. Here are the best solutions engineering certifications to consider:

1. Certified Professional Sales Engineer (CPSE)

The CPSE certification aims to formalize and recognize expertise in the field of solutions or sales engineering. It gives candidates a valuable credential highlighting their technical and sales skills.

You don't need to pass an exam to get certified.

However, you must have at least three years of professional sales engineering experience. You should also submit LinkedIn endorsements and recommendations.

A Bachelor’s degree in science or business is also required. You can bypass this requirement if you already have more than four years of relevant working experience.

2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise

The Cisco Certified Network Professional Enterprise certification is designed for tech professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of enterprise networking solutions. 

This helps solutions engineers present and sell these products more effectively.

It focuses on advanced skills in enterprise infrastructure, which includes network architecture, security, and automation.

To obtain the CCNP certification, candidates must pass two exams: a core exam covering enterprise technologies and a concentration exam that focuses on a specific area.

The second exam lets you choose which technology track to concentrate on, such as advanced routing, network design, or programming.

Prerequisites aren’t mandatory when obtaining this certification. However, Cisco recommends having a solid understanding of network fundamentals and several years of professional experience to pass the exam and get certified.

3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is one of the most recognized credentials for cloud professionals.

It validates your ability to design and deploy scalable, cost-efficient, and secure systems on the AWS platform.

If your solutions engineering job involves selling cloud products, this certification can help prove your expertise in the field.

You must complete 65 multiple-choice questions within 130 minutes to get certified. You can choose to take the exam online or by visiting an authorized testing center.

You can even pick your preferred language when taking the test. However, you must pay $150 to schedule an exam.

4. Google Cloud - Professional Cloud Architect

The Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification demonstrates a professional's ability to design, develop, and manage solutions on the Google Cloud platform.

This certification is ideal for solutions engineers aiming to sell scalable, secure, and reliable cloud architectures that meet business objectives.

The certification exam tests your skills in areas like designing cloud architecture, managing infrastructure, ensuring security, and optimizing business processes.

To get certified, you must complete the two-hour exam, which consists of 50 to 60 multiple-choice questions. The test also includes two case studies that assess your ability to use your knowledge in a practical environment.

5. CompTIA Network+

The CompTIA Network+ certification is a globally recognized credential designed for tech professionals looking to validate their skills in managing networks.

It covers core networking concepts like configuring and maintaining network devices, security, and troubleshooting network issues.

While this certification specifically caters to IT professionals, it can also help solutions engineers who sell networking services. It expands their knowledge in the field, which makes them more effective in their role.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam has 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions, which candidates must complete within 90 minutes. They must achieve a passing score to get certified.

6. VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

The VCP-NV certification validates an individual's ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot VMware NSX environments, which provide technical privacy solutions over virtual networks.

This certification is ideal for professionals working with network virtualization, especially in roles like network administrators and solutions engineers who sell these products.

To obtain this certification, you must attend any VMWare course and pass the exam. The test includes 55 questions and costs $250 to take.

How to Choose the Right Solutions Engineer Certification

If you're still unsure which solutions engineer certification to obtain, you can follow the steps below to make an informed decision.

Determine Your Career Goals

The first thing you should do is ask yourself the following: Where do you want to take your solutions engineering career?

Knowing where you want to go will help you focus on the certifications that match your long-term career objectives.

For example, many SEs advance to senior-level roles or take on the job title of solutions architect. 

If you want to accelerate your career growth, you can obtain tech-related certifications that expand your knowledge in a specific field.

On the other hand, if you're passionate about coaching and leading people, you can choose to become a technical sales manager. 

Consider leadership or project management certifications to build the key skills that will make you stand out. Working with a mentor or a career coach can help you better understand what your career can look like and how to determine the best step to take.

Review Your Current Skills and Knowledge

Besides your career goals, you must also take a close look at your current skill set.

Are you more comfortable selling infrastructure or cloud solutions? Or do you excel at explaining computer hardware?

Or perhaps, you've previously worked as a lead software engineer/data engineer before transitioning into tech sales.

By reviewing your existing abilities, you can select a certification that fills gaps in your knowledge or builds on your strengths.

For example, if you already handle cloud solutions, you could benefit from a certification that expands your knowledge in this particular field.

Research the Certification

Every certification has different requirements, costs, and timelines. It’s important to know what you’re getting into before committing.

For example, the Certified Professional Sales Engineer (CPSE) certification requires relevant education and years of experience. Plus, it costs $149 to get certified.

Make sure to weigh the time and money involved and ensure it aligns with your career path.

You should also verify if the certification is reputable and recognized in the industry. The last thing you want is to spend significant time and money on an unrelated credential.

Look at Job Postings and Employer Preferences

Lastly, consider reviewing job postings for roles you're aiming for.

Employers often list the certifications they value most.

For instance, if you want to land a solutions engineer role in cloud services, you'll likely see certifications like AWS or Google Cloud frequently mentioned in the job description.

Tailoring your certification choices to what employers are seeking makes you a more attractive candidate.

Other Ways to Advance Your Solutions Engineer Career

In addition to certifications, there are other ways to accelerate your career growth as a solutions engineer. Let's take a closer look below:

Embrace Challenges at Work

Take on challenging projects that push you out of your comfort zone. This will improve your knowledge and skills, making you more valuable to potential employers.

For example, you can volunteer to lead a cross-functional team or solve a complex client issue.

Pursue Advanced Degrees

While certifications are important, pursuing an advanced degree in fields like computer science or engineering can also add value.

This educational degree provides a deeper understanding of key concepts, such as data security and cloud architecture.

It also opens doors to leadership roles and can complement your hands-on experience as a solutions engineer.

Network with Industry Professionals

Building connections within the tech community can open doors to new opportunities. 

Consider attending industry conferences, joining professional associations, and connecting with other solutions engineers on platforms like LinkedIn.

Networking also helps you stay updated on industry trends, which can make you a stronger job candidate.

Seek Mentorship

You can even find a mentor who’s already successful in the solutions engineering field. Having a trusted advisor can accelerate your career growth and open up opportunities you might not have considered.

This expert can offer career guidance, help you set professional goals, and give you advice on overcoming challenges in the tech sales field.

Accelerate Your Career Growth with Better Career

With our help, Caitlin Geils managed to land three solutions engineer job offers within five weeks of joining our program.

Want to grow your career the same way? Here's how Better Career can assist you:

• Job Accelerator Program: Follow our step-by-step guide to land a tech job quickly and efficiently. Whether you want to be a Sales Engineer, Customer Success Professional, or Project Manager, our mentorship program is designed to accelerate your tech career. Say goodbye to the frustration and guesswork of a typical job search.
• 1-on-1 Career Coaching: Work closely with former tech leaders turned career coaches to land your next Sales or Sales Engineering role, or advance your career. We'll customize the program to meet your unique goals and needs.
• B2B Tech Job Board: Connect directly with key people at hiring companies through our curated job board for B2B tech positions. This includes direct LinkedIn profiles and posts for each listing.

Need further assistance? Fill out our contact form, and we'll get in touch with you soon!

FAQs About Solutions Engineer Certifications

What is the best solutions engineer certification?

The best certification depends on the individual. You must consider your career goals, skills, and budget, among other factors.

How to get certified as a solutions engineer?

You can obtain certifications by following the requirements of the organization. For example, most require you to pass an exam. However, some certifications simply need you to have relevant working experience as a solutions engineer.

What should I consider when obtaining solutions engineer certifications?

You must evaluate your current skill set, professional goals, and industry needs. You can also review job postings to understand which certifications employers prefer in your field. Don't forget to research certification costs, time commitment, and the skills you’ll gain.