Computer Hardware Engineers Job Description

The Computer Hardware Engineer researches, designs, develops, and tests computer or computer related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. The Computer Hardware Engineer may supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer related equipment and components.

Tasks for Computer Hardware Engineers

• The Computer Hardware Engineer updates knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer provides technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer tests and verifies hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer monitors functioning or equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer analyzes information to determines, recommends, and plan layouts, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer builds, tests, and modifies product prototypes using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer analyzes user’s needs and recommends appropriate hardware.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer directs technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer confers with engineering staff and consults specifications to evaluates interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall systems.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer selects hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and products requirements.

The Computer Hardware Engineer needs knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs the 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. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs the knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Work Activities for Computer Hardware Engineer

• The Computer Hardware Engineer uses computers and computer systems including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer provides information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer identifies information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer observes, receives, and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer provides guidance and expert to management or other groups on technical, systems, or process related topics.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer keeps up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer identifies the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organizes, and accomplishes your work.

• The Computer Hardware Engineer compiles, codes, categorizes, tabulates, audits or verifies information or data.

The Computer Hardware Engineer must be able to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The Computer Hardware Engineer must have the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. The Computer Hardware Engineer must be able to combine pieces of information to form general rules of conclusions includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events. The Computer Hardware Engineer needs the ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Degrees and Training to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer

• Telecommunications Degree