Careers · Explore one path
Computer Hardware Engineers
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.
Other titles employers use
Design Engineer · Engineer · Field Service Engineer · Hardware Design Engineer · Hardware Engineer · Physical Design Engineer · Project Engineer · Staff Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- 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.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.1 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 48%
- A master's degree 35%
- A doctorate or professional degree 10%
- A certificate or some college 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Operating system software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Development environment software
- Data base user interface and query software
- File versioning software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 32,700
- Job openings each year
- 1,920
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 32,700 | 1,920 | 7.6% |
| Colorado | 4,640 | 290 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 4,520 | 290 | 15.9% |
| Maryland | 2,960 | 170 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 2,760 | 170 | 13.6% |
| Washington | 2,750 | 250 | 27.3% |
| Virginia | 2,540 | 140 | 1.2% |
| Georgia | 1,690 | 100 | 9.7% |
| Missouri | 1,640 | 100 | 8.6% |
| New York | 1,580 | 10 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 1,440 | 80 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 1,410 | 80 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 1,350 | 70 | — |
| Massachusetts | 1,320 | 70 | 1.5% |
| Michigan | 1,110 | 60 | — |
| Illinois | 900 | 50 | 2.3% |
| Alabama | 830 | 40 | −2.4% |
| Arizona | 720 | 40 | 9.1% |
| Wisconsin | 710 | 40 | 12.7% |
| Ohio | 630 | 40 | 3.3% |
| Connecticut | 590 | 40 | 7.3% |
| Utah | 580 | 40 | 20.8% |
| Indiana | 550 | 30 | 12.2% |
| Idaho | 410 | 30 | 24.2% |
| South Carolina | 410 | 30 | 10.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 390 | 20 | 11.4% |
| Rhode Island | 360 | 20 | — |
| Louisiana | 350 | 20 | 6.1% |
| Nevada | 320 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Iowa | 310 | 20 | 6.9% |
| New Hampshire | 290 | 20 | 11.5% |
| Minnesota | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| Tennessee | 280 | 20 | 7.7% |
| District of Columbia | 250 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 220 | 10 | 4.8% |
| Mississippi | 200 | 10 | 17.6% |
| Kansas | 190 | 10 | 5.6% |
| North Dakota | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| Oklahoma | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Nebraska | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Montana | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| West Virginia | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Arkansas | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Alaska | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 672
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college ILUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 580
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 493
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college CASan Jose State University
- Degrees each year
- 359
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college IAIowa State University
- Degrees each year
- 355
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 433
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college CAUniversity of California-Irvine
- Degrees each year
- 339
- Admit rate
- 26%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college VAVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 344
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college