What They Do
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers.
Duties
Computer hardware engineers typically do the following:
- Design new computer hardware, creating schematics of computer equipment to be built
- Test the computer hardware they design
- Analyze the test results and modify the design as needed
- Update existing computer equipment so that it will work with new software
- Oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware
Many hardware engineers design devices used in manufactured products that incorporate processors and other computer components and that connect to the Internet. For example, many new cars, home appliances, and medical devices have Internet-ready computer systems built into them.
Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer hardware components work together with the latest software. Therefore, hardware engineers often work with software developers. For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones and other devices frequently are developed at the same time.
Work Environment
Computer hardware engineers held about 76,800 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of computer hardware engineers were as follows:
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 21% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 17 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 16 |
| Federal government | 7 |
| Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing | 4 |
Work Schedules
Most computer hardware engineers work full time.
How to Become One
Computer hardware engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program.
Pay
The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers was $155,020 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,700 openings for computer hardware engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.