Computer Hardware Engineers

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
2. 02Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
3. 03Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
4. 04Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
5. 05Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
6. 06Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
7. 07Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
8. 08Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
9. 09Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
10. 10Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
11. 11Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
12. 12Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading