Computer Hardware Engineers :: Job Description

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Computer Hardware Engineers

Careers / Computer Hardware Engineers

Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Automation Engineer

2.	Computer Architect

3.	Computer Designer

4.	Computer Engineer

5.	Computer Hardware Designer

6.	Computer Hardware Developer

7.	Computer Installation Engineer

8.	Computer Tester

9.	Configuration Manager

10.	Design Engineer

11.	Electronics Engineer

12.	Engineer

13.	Field Service Engineer

14.	Hardware Design Engineer

15.	Hardware Engineer

16.	Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)

17.	Microchip Specialist

18.	Network Engineer

19.	Project Engineer

20.	Senior Hardware Engineer

21.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

22.	Systems Engineer

23.	Systems Integration Engineer

24.	Telecommunications Engineer

Job Tasks

	Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. Update technical knowledge.

	Build, test, and modify product prototypes using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation. Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment. Create physical models or prototypes.

	Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction. Prepare procedural documents.

	Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications. Determine operational criteria or specifications.

	Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

	Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives. Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.

	Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements. Select project materials.

	Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications. Monitor processes for compliance with standards.

	Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data. Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.

	Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed. Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

	Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.

	Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration. Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.

	Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware. Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems. Advise customers on the use of products or services.

	Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications. Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.

	Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs. Assemble equipment or components.

	Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Provide training and support to system designers and users. Train personnel on proper operational procedures. Advise customers on the use of products or services. Provide technical guidance to other personnel.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Computer Hardware Engineers
	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers. These engineers discover new directions in computer hardware, which generate rapid advances in computer technology.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Computer Hardware Engineers
	Computer hardware engineers usually work in research laboratories that build and test various types of computer models. Most work in high-tech manufacturing firms.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The U.S. Treasury once printed $100,000 bills (featuring a portrait of Woodrow Wilson) but none of the bills were ever released into public circulation.

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