Computer Hardware Engineers

What the job really is

Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

At a glance

• Sector: Architecture & Engineering
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-2061
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
• Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
• Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
• Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
• Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
• Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
• Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
• Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
• Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
• Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
• Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
• Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.

Tools and technology

Apache Subversion SVN, Autodesk AutoCAD, C, C++, Git, Linux, Magellan Firmware, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Microsystems Engineers
• Software Developers
• Robotics Technicians
• Mechatronics Engineers
• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• Robotics Engineers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Computer Hardware Engineers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.