Diploma in Prototyping, Validation and Reliability
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in prototyping, validation and reliability. 8 modules covering the hardware development process, prototyping techniques, bring-up and debugging, design validation, environmental testing, reliability during development and pre-production and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan hardware development across EVT, DVT and PVT phases.
Apply rapid prototyping techniques to iterate designs.
Debug boards during bring-up with the right instrumentation.
Draw up validation plans with traceability to requirements.
Select environmental tests according to the mission profile.
Manage reliability growth across prototypes.
Prepare the transfer to production and the certification of the product.
Who it's for
- Hardware engineers who take boards from first prototype to production.
- Validation engineers responsible for test plans and campaigns.
- Prototype engineers in product development teams.
- Reliability engineers.
- Product development managers.
- Certification engineers handling CE and radio compliance.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter consumer electronics.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60068-2-1 (environmental testing — cold)
- IEC 60068-2-2 (environmental testing — dry heat)
- IEC 60068-2-64 (environmental testing — broadband random vibration)
- IEC 60529 (degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code))
- IEC 62368-1 (safety of audio/video, information and communication technology equipment)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive)
- Directive 2014/30/EU (Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive)
- IEC 61014 (programmes for reliability growth)
- Altium Designer
- KiCad
- NI TestStand
- Jama Connect
- Python with pytest
8 modules
1.1EVT, DVT and PVT phases1.2Requirements and traceability to tests1.3Phase-based design reviews1.4Technical risk management1.5Incremental prototyping strategy1.6Configuration and version management1.7Prototype budgeting and planning1.8Coordination with manufacturers and suppliers1.9Exit criteria for each phase1.10Case study: development plan for an IoT product
2.1Evaluation boards and rapid prototyping2.2Quick-turn PCB fabrication2.3Lab assembly and rework2.43D printing of enclosures2.5CNC machining and sheet metal2.6Functional versus aesthetic prototypes2.7Firmware prototypes on early hardware2.8Instrumenting prototypes for debugging2.9Change management between iterations2.10Workshop: bring-up of a first board
3.1Safe power-up sequence3.2Measuring rails and inrush currents3.3Debugging with JTAG and SWD3.4Oscilloscopes and logic analysers3.5Digital protocol analysis3.6Locating short circuits and defects3.7Testing high-speed interfaces3.8Logging prototype issues3.9Reproducing intermittent faults3.10Lab: debugging a boot failure
4.1Master validation plan4.2Test matrix and requirements coverage4.3Functional and parametric tests4.4Testing at voltage and temperature limits4.5EMC pre-compliance testing4.6Electrical safety testing4.7Mechanical drop and vibration tests4.8Automating validation tests4.9Validation reports and non-conformities4.10Practical exercise: validation matrix for a product
5.1Dry heat and cold to IEC 60068-25.2Cyclic damp heat5.3Thermal cycling and thermal shock5.4Sinusoidal and random vibration5.5Mechanical shock and drops5.6Salt mist and corrosion5.7IP protection rating5.8Altitude testing5.9Selecting tests according to the mission profile5.10Lab: random vibration test
6.1Product reliability targets6.2Accelerated robustness testing6.3Reliability growth across prototypes6.4Failure analysis of prototypes6.5Iterative design FMEA6.6Predicted MTBF calculation6.7Life testing of critical components6.8Lessons learned and knowledge bases6.9Risk-based release decisions6.10Case study: reliability growth in DVT
7.1Production validation in PVT7.2Production test fixtures7.3First article and initial inspection7.4CE certification and marking7.5Radio Equipment Directive7.6Testing at an external test laboratory7.7Technical file and declaration of conformity7.8Transfer to series manufacturing7.9Quality monitoring of the first batches7.10Workshop: technical file for an electronic product
8.1Product description and requirements8.2Phased prototyping plan8.3Prototype bring-up8.4Complete validation plan8.5Selected environmental tests8.6Design reliability analysis8.7Certification plan8.8Conclusions and next steps8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Altium Designer, KiCad, NI TestStand, Jama Connect and Python with pytest, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for prototype bring-up in the laboratory, environmental testing in climatic and vibration chambers and pre-certification validation campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2, IEC 60068-2-64, IEC 60529, IEC 62368-1, Directive 2014/53/EU, Directive 2014/30/EU, IEC 61014.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Altium Designer, KiCad, NI TestStand, Jama Connect and Python with pytest, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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