Computer Hardware Engineer
Nick Ippolito
Job Description
Computer hardware engineers research, design, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Design new computer hardware, creating blueprints of computer equipment to be built
- Test the hardware
- Analyze results and modify hardware based on those results
- Update computer equipment so it will work with new software
- Oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware
- Have knowledge of computer engineering trends and new technology
Education Requirements
- At least a bachelors degree in computer engineering, or electrical engineering and computer science
- Background in math and science
- Master's degree in business administration (optional)
- You'll have to keep learning to keep up with advances in technology
Job Outlook
It is expected that the employment is going to grow 7 percent from 2012 to 2022 which is slower than average compared to all occupations. The demand for these engineers will grow because of the rapid growth of technology now and firms are less likely to outsource there work.
Salary and Work Environment
Computer hardware engineers usually work in research laboratories that build and test different types of models. Most work in high-tech manufacturing firms. The median annual wages were $100,920. The top ten percent had $150,130 in annual wages and the lowest 10 percent had $63,970.
Related Courses and Experience
One related course is volunteering to do a computer repair club in your school if there is one. There are also many programs you can join like ABET.