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.
At a Glance
Computer Hardware Engineers earns a median of $155,020/yr with +7.3% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Working with Computers, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology.
$155,020/yr
+7.3%
5
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (12)
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Knowledge (6)
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Abilities (15)
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Technology (25)
Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology
Category: Analytical or scientific software | In Demand
Work Activities (24)
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Work Styles (2)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 211 shared skills
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Computer and Mathematical · 210 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Architecture and Engineering · 210 shared skills
Microsystems Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 209 shared skills
Electrical Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 209 shared skills
Software Developers
Computer and Mathematical · 208 shared skills
Validation Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 208 shared skills
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Architecture and Engineering · 207 shared skills
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