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Career Exploration

Computer Hardware Engineers

Also called: Design Engineer, Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Communications

  • telecommunications

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • order or arrange things

Math

  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Innovation
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation
  • Achievement/Effort

Analytical or scientific software

  • SAS
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Desktop communications software

  • Eko

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $132,360

Education

Bachelor's degree or master's degree is usually needed.