A self-paced course for licensed engineers who work on — or want to work on — high-stakes, mission-critical infrastructure.
Earn 12 PDH credits toward your PE license renewal while mastering the systems that can’t afford to fail. This course meets continuing education requirements for licensed Professional Engineers in most states — self-paced, on-demand, and built around real-world critical systems engineering.
Focused, practical modules that equip you to handle critical systems with confidence.
Build the electrical foundation you need to understand every system in this course — voltage, current, power, three-phase distribution, and how power flows from utility to load.
Learn to identify, categorize, and respond to power quality events — transients, sags, swells, brownouts, and outages — so you can anticipate their impact and plan accordingly.
Understand how standby generators are specified, sized, and integrated into a facility’s electrical design so you can evaluate whether a site is properly protected against sustained outages.
Master the full ATS sequence of operations — from utility loss detection through generator start, load transfer, retransfer, and cooldown — and learn to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot these systems.
Understand how double-conversion UPS systems protect critical loads, how they operate across all four modes, and how to safely perform maintenance without exposing the load.
Learn how STSs provide the last line of defense for critical loads, how to perform safe maintenance bypass using key interlocks, and how PDUs distribute power downstream.
Trace the full heat removal path from CPU to cooling tower, understand airside and waterside distribution, and learn how to evaluate cooling system performance against ASHRAE standards.
Understand fire protection objectives, how VESDA early smoke detection works, and how to balance life safety requirements with the protection of mission-critical infrastructure.
Learn how to run a commissioning program that starts early, catches problems before they become expensive, and produces a validated, fully functional facility at handover.
Understand BMS and EPMS architecture, how digital and analog points work, how PID loops operate, and how to use graphics, alarms, and trends to maintain visibility over critical systems.
Develop the instincts, culture, and processes to respond decisively when things go wrong — and learn how post-mortem analysis and pre-mortem planning reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
Build a proactive preventive maintenance program with a structured equipment list, schedules, and procedures that keep critical systems reliable and reduce unplanned failures.
Learn how to track power, cooling, network, and space resources against actual load — accounting for redundancy and derating — so you never discover you’ve exceeded capacity during an outage.
Identify practical opportunities to reduce energy consumption — from variable frequency drives and retro-commissioning to high-voltage distribution strategies — without compromising reliability.
“Brilliant course! I still remember the very first course I took with Dan while preparing for my PE exam — the support he provided made a huge difference and helped me pass with confidence. A few months later I came across the Critical Systems Engineering course, and once again it exceeded expectations. It offers a truly holistic view of system design, maintenance, and best practices, with a clear way to understand the engineering behind complex systems. With the same level of professionalism, clarity, and dedication, Dan delivered yet another masterpiece. Truly appreciated.”
“I took this course to refresh my knowledge on Critical Systems Engineering and stay current with trends and practices in the field. Dan does a great job delivering practical, real-world content throughout. Overall an excellent course.”
“A very informative and well paced course. I thoroughly enjoyed working my way through it.”
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are required by most states to maintain your PE license. This course is structured to meet accepted continuing education standards and includes quizzes and a final exam (70% passing score) to validate completion.
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate confirming your 12 PDH credits — ready for your license renewal records.
State acceptance note: Most states accept this course. If you’re licensed in NY, FL, NC, LA, IN, or NJ — which have more specific PDH requirements — check with your board before enrolling.
Dan is a licensed Professional Engineer and the founder of Mechanical PE Exam Prep. With over a decade of hands-on experience in critical systems design, commissioning, and operations, Dan brings real-world expertise to every lesson. His teaching bridges the gap between textbook knowledge and the high-stakes challenges engineers face in the field.
Instant access. 12 PDH credits upon completion.
In most states, yes. This course meets continuing education standards for licensed PEs and includes a certificate of completion. Most states accept self-directed learning if it’s relevant and well-documented. A few states (NY, FL, NC, LA, IN, NJ) have more specific requirements — check with your board if you’re licensed in one of them.
12 PDH hours upon successful completion of the course and final exam.
Yes. There’s a short quiz at the end of each section and a final exam at the end of the course. A 70% passing score is required to earn your certificate. You can review material and retake quizzes if needed.
Yes. Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, you’ll receive a certificate confirming your 12 PDH credits.
Yes. Watch on any device with internet access. Progress is tracked automatically.
No. The course is designed for licensed PEs seeking PDH credit, but anyone interested in critical systems engineering is welcome to enroll.
