A staff engineer is one level of engineer within a company, and the title typically signifies a mid-level career professional. To become a staff engineer, you must have a degree in the field and are usually required to have significant experience. At the least, a four-year degree in engineering is required, and an advanced degree may be preferred in some positions.
Pursuing an undergraduate education in engineering is the first step to become a staff engineer. Engineering comprises various fields based in science and math, and engineering students choose the area in which they would like to specialize. When deciding on your engineering major, you can choose from mechanical, material, civil, computer, electronic or various other types. Engineers usually have a strong aptitude for math and science. A staff engineer may also have education in a field that is similar to engineering, such as chemistry or physics.
You can become a staff engineer in many types of engineering, as it is a general title that can apply to many different kinds of engineers. After completing an undergraduate education in engineering, you can choose to enter the professional field or continue on to a graduate degree. If you wish to become a staff engineer, you can hold either a basic four-year degree or an advanced degree, depending on the requirements of the company for which you wish to work. An entry-level position in engineering, such as a field engineer or junior engineer, may be a starting point from which you can eventually become a staff engineer.
Some staff engineer positions require you to hold a professional engineering certification. In the United States, the Professional Engineer (PE) certification is achieved through a standardized licensure test. In the United Kingdom, the equivalent title is Chartered Engineer and has similar licensure standards. Obtaining engineering certification may be required for a staff engineer position and can give you a professional edge even if it is not required.
You can become a staff engineer either by moving through the ranks at a company or by applying directly for a staff engineer opening. The requirements for a staff engineer vary by company, and you can search for staff engineer positions on many career sites. Job descriptions for the title are not uniform, however. Some staff engineer openings ask for expertise in certain engineering programs, supervisory experience, or experience in a very specific sector of engineering.
