What Qualifications Do You Need to Be an Engineer? To work as an engineer, you usually need a four-year degree from an accredited engineering program. A master's or doctorate degree may be required depending on your specialty and professional goals. Certain types of work may also only be legally performed by engineers who have earned their PE license in accordance with state laws. To become a licensed engineer, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering, then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams, in addition to having at least four years of relevant engineering experience. While earning a PE license can be beneficial, it is not normally required for computer engineers, who will often obtain IT-related certifications that are relevant to their field of expertise. Engineers must also have good math and science skills, as well as outstanding attention to detail and the ability to effectively communicate. Engineering is a good fit for people who are analytical and enjoy finding out ways to improve existing systems or create new ones. If you’re interested in a career in engineering, take a look at redShift’s open jobs today!