Computer Hardware Engineer

Career Overview

Computer hardware engineers design, develop, test, and improve the physical technology inside computers, phones, vehicles, robots, medical devices, and other smart products. They work with processors, circuit boards, memory, sensors, and communication systems, helping create faster, smaller, smarter, and more energy-efficient technology.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field is the usual starting point. Students can build useful experience through internships, co-op programs, robotics projects, electronics projects, and programming. Graduate study can be helpful for advanced research and specialized areas such as artificial intelligence hardware, semiconductors, robotics, and computer architecture.

Work Environment

Computer hardware engineers may work in research laboratories, technology companies, manufacturing facilities, or engineering offices. Their work can include designing circuits, testing prototypes, analyzing performance, solving technical problems, and working with software engineers. Modern hardware projects may involve robotics, AI systems, autonomous devices, advanced chips, and connected technology.

Future Outlook

Computer hardware is becoming increasingly important as AI, robotics, smart devices, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing continue to develop. Engineers will be needed to create more powerful processors, specialized AI chips, energy-efficient systems, and new hardware for emerging technologies. The field is projected to grow faster than average over the coming decade, with thousands of opportunities expected as technology companies and manufacturers continue developing new products.

Recommended High School Courses

Computer Science
Physics
Communication
Electronics
Mathematics
Robotics

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Update technical knowledge.
Create physical models or prototypes.
Prepare procedural documents.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
Determine operational criteria or specifications.
Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
Select project materials.
Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Assemble equipment or components.
Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

Schools

Alfred State College

Arkansas Tech University

Auburn University

Baylor University

Bethel University

Bob Jones University

Boise State University

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Capitol Technology Univer...

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Clarkson University

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Florida International Uni...

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USA

Canada

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

- Traditional Fulbright P...

Approx Salary Expectation

Low End:

$85,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$155,000.00 /yr

High End:

$224,000.00 /yr

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References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.