Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Design Engineer
- Engineer
- Hardware Engineer
- Systems Integration Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Analog Design Engineer
- Analog IC Design Engineer (Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer)
- Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (ASIC Design Engineer)
- Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification Engineer (ASIC Design Verification Engineer)
- Computer Designer
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Hardware Designer
- Computer Hardware Developer
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Computer Installation Engineer
- Computer Tester
- Computer Vision Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Design Verification Engineer
- Digital Design Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Originality
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Support
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Apache Subversion SVN
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C++
- Git
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Tools & Equipment
- Alternating current AC power analyzers
- Alternating current AC power sources
- Bit error rate testers BERT
- Circuit memory testers
- Circuit testers
- Color plotters
- Communications analyzers
- Communications signal analyzers
- Computer scanners
- Desktop computers
- Digital analysis systems DAS
- Direct current DC power supplies
- Dynamic signal analyzers
- Feeler gauges
- Frequency counters
Work Environment
- Spend Time Sitting
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $85,430 |
| Median | $155,020 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $223,820 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 75,710
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $127,590
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $77,180
Microsystems Engineers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Software Developers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $133,080
Robotics Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $70,760
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.