
Computer Hardware Engineers
Also called: Design Engineer, Engineer, Hardware 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.
- 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.
Knowledge
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
Skills
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
Abilities
Verbal
- listen and understand what people say
- read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- notice when problems happen
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Persistence
- Innovation
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Analytical or scientific software
Desktop communications software
- Eko
Computer aided design CAD software
Education
Job Outlook
Explore More
- Computer Network Architects
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Energy Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Validation Engineers
You might like a career in one of these industries: